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King Charles III has released an official statement paying tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth II who died at her Scottish home on Thursday at the age of 96.
Released from Buckingham Palace following the official announcement of Britain's longest-reigning monarch's death, Charles 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. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."
The official announcement of the queen's death was made at 1:30 p.m. ET and read: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
According to royal tradition, there is no period where the throne is vacant, so when Elizabeth died, Charles automatically became king and, by virtue, his wife Camilla became the Queen Consort.
Following the king's tribute, Britain's new prime minister Liz Truss delivered her own from 10 Downing Street.
She said the queen had been "the rock on which modern Britain was built." She added that her death had been a "huge shock to the nation and the world."
President Biden has sent a personal tribute from the White House to Britain's longest-serving monarch, who marked her 70th year on the throne in February, in a lengthy statement in which he said:
"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era."
"In a world of constant change," he added, "she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her. An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth.
"The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity."
Former president Donald Trump also shared his thoughts on the news of the queen's passing. In a statement posted to his Truth Social account he said:
"Queen Elizabeth's historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain. Her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world."
He continued to state that the queen "will always be remembered for her faithfulness to her country and her unwavering devotion to her fellow countrymen and women."
Tributes from world leaders and foreign royal houses continue to be made as Britain mourns.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more