King Charles III makes first statement as monarch after death of his mother
King Charles has made a statement about the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.
He said: “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother.”
Duchess of York says she is “heartbroken” at Queen’s death
Sarah, Duchess of York, said she was “heartbroken” at the death of the Queen and praised her for “giving her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK and Commonwealth”.
She said: “I will miss her more than words can express.”
More than 5,000 miles away in California, expats and Americans alike came together to honour the Queen at a pub.
At Ye Olde Kings Head, in Santa Monica, a shrine dedicated to the monarch, featuring candles, roses and pictures was placed outside.
Duchess of York says she is “heartbroken” at Queen’s death
Sarah, Duchess of York, said she was “heartbroken” at the death of the Queen and praised her for “giving her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK and Commonwealth”.
She said: “I will miss her more than words can express.”
Eiffel Tower, the London Eye dimmed its lights at sunset today.
In a statement, the landmark’s Twitter account said: “The London Eye will join with mourners around the world during this period of national remembrance.
“In honour of Her Majesty, we will switch off our lights from sunset this evening.”
UK theatres are also set to dim their lights and observe a minute’s silence, playing the national anthem and opening books of condolence.
While other sights dimmed their lights, New York’s Empire State building lit up in regal purple.
Leaders of Sinn Fein, the Irish republican party which has made a political journey to the mainstream from having been the political wing of a terrorist group that waged a violent campaign for decades against the British state, have joined others in passing on condolences to the Royal Family.
Sinn Fein’s vice president Michelle O’Neill said she had learned of the death of the Queen with “deep regret,” tweeting: “The British people will miss the leadership she gave as monarch,” she tweeted.
“I would like to offer my sincere sympathies and condolences to her children, and wider family as they come to terms with their grief,” added O’Neill, who is also currently the First Minister designate of Northern Ireland’s power sharing administration, which is currently suspended
“I wish to especially acknowledge the profound sorrow of our neighbours from within the unionist community who will feel her loss deeply.
“Personally, I am grateful for Queen Elizabeth’s significant contribution and determined efforts to advancing peace and reconciliation.”
Mary Lou McDonald, the Dublin-based leader of Sinn Fein, where the party is polling heavily and widely expected to enter government, said on Twitter: “To the Royal Family and all who mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth, especially Irish Unionists, I extend sincere sympathy.”
The message, which was retweeted by the party’s former president, Gerry Adams, added: “She lived a long, full life. In her lifetime relationships between our countries were changed and changing. I salute her contribution to this transformation.”
The messages of sympathy came as the the party also sent out an email to members warning them to behave on social media on a day when emotions will have been running particularly high among members of Northern Ireland’s unionist community.
An email stated, which included a link to the party’s social media guidelines, stated: “All Sinn Fein activists are reminded that it is important to respectful, accurate, legally sound, use appropriate language, avoid using any forms of personal abuse and be in line with party policy when engaging on social media.”
