Buckingham Palace has announced that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. She was under medical supervision and members of the royal family including Prince William and Prince Harry were rushing to be at her side at the Queen’s summer residence in Scotland. Prince Charles and his wife were already there.
The Queen was 96 years old. She is the longest living monarch in the history of Britain and this year marked the Platinum Jubilee with more than 70 years on the throne. The protocols which go into place upon the Queen’s death is called Operation London Bridge. Charles is now King and has released an official statement via Buckingham Palace.
The King says, “the death of my beloved mother Her Majesty The Queen is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all of my family.” The King and Queen consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and return to London tomorrow. “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms, the Commonwealth and by countless people around the world,” he adds.
The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan says the world has lost a remarkable individual. Russ Merasty says, “Through a life devoted to duty, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II exemplified integrity, humility, inner strength and outward grace. She was a constant in a changing world. She respected tradition but embraced change.” He also noted, “Queen Elizabeth II was committed to Reconciliation and acknowledged the painful history that Indigenous peoples endured in residential schools in Canada, as well as the work that remains to heal and to continue to build an inclusive society. While we mourn her loss, we can also give thanks for her extraordinary contributions to Canada and the world.”
The Queen visited Saskatchewan five times and a sixth as a Princess. The last time she was here was in 2005 for the Saskatchewan Centennial.
The province now has books of condolence available for the public to express their sympathies for the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. They are available at the Legislative Building, Government House, Regina City Hall as of noon tomorrow, and Saskatoon City Hall as of Monday. A virtual condolence book is also available on the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan’s website.
