In a statement sent to Insider, Buckingham Palace said the Queen “died peacefully at Balmoral” on Thursday afternoon.

“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” the statement added.

On Thursday, Buckingham Palace said that the monarch’s doctors were concerned for her health and recommended she remain under medical supervision.

Royals including Prince William, Prince Charles, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall traveled to Balmoral Castle, the family’s estate in Scotland, to be by the Queen’s side, British media reported.

Her death brings to a close a monumental reign in British history and ushers in a new, uncertain one.

Continue reading HERE

Source: https://www.insider.com/queen-elizabeth-ii-death-obituary-2022-9

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But if Queen Elizabeth II — now officially the longest reigning British monarch in history — were to write her own instruction manual, it could be quite simple: Wear bright colours, a big hat, and a smile.

Sunday marked the 70th anniversary of the queen’s ascension to the throne. She was called back from a foreign trip on February 6, 1952, when her father, King George VI, died. There could be no delay, as in a monarchy, there must always be a monarch. The actual coronation ceremony took place the following year.

Elizabeth’s reign is not only the longest in a British royal line going back at least 1,000 years, it has also been an exercise in adapting to change — without really changing very much.

She committed at the age of 21, five years before her father died, to a life in service of Britain and what was then its empire.

“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong,” she said in 1947.

At 95, her life has been long — 14 U.S. presidents long, in fact. She met President D. Dwight Eisenhower in 1957, and then every American leader to come after him, with the exception of Lyndon Johnson.

The encounters were usually all smiles, but occasionally not.

In a celebrity age, other kinds of royalty have always wanted to be seen next to the real thing. Icons including Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Paul McCartney and Elton John have all bowed politely in the presence of her majesty. She’s met at least three “James Bonds” over the years.

But Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign hasn’t been all glamor and glittering tiaras.

A destructive fire consumed parts of Windsor Castle in 1992 — the same year that three of her children’s marriages were seen to break down.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips and, of course, Prince Charles and Diana all had their relationships hit the rocks — behind closed doors, of course, but in plain view of Britain’s tabloid press.

Elizabeth was moved to admit that there could be bumps along the royal rocky road.

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure,” the queen confessed. “In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, ‘it has turned out to be an annus horribilis.'”

But the “annus horribilis” — Latin for terrible year — was but a portend for the really terrible year to come. Diana died in a car crash in France in 1997, and Queen Elizabeth II was forced, after days of silence, to acknowledge the national outpouring of grief for her son’s ex-wife.

While most of the milestones in her long reign may have been happy ones, there have been more recent setbacks, too.

Grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are gone, living now in self-imposed royal exile in California.

Prince Andrew has been disappeared from view, tainted by accusations, which he denies, of sexual abuse.

Yet the queen — once half of a glamorous young couple, now a lonely widow — carries on.

In a statement released to mark her Platinum Jubilee over the weekend, Queen Elizabeth II renewed her commitment to continue doing what she always promised to do: her job.

With a smile.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-70-year-reign-platinum-jubilee-vows-to-carry-on/

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The 95-year-old monarch’s Platinum Jubilee begins on Feb. 6 – the date in 1952 when she became queen after the death of her father, King George VI.

Britain’s longest-serving monarch will be the only queen or king in the country’s long history to have ruled for 70 years.

Buckingham Palace officials unveiled a series of events to mark the occasion and reflect the Queen’s call for the celebrations to promote a mood of national unity.

Topping festivities that reflect national passions is a competition to create a new Jubilee pudding, with the winner chosen by judges including the palace head chef.

The head of state will also be presented with a digital map showing every tree planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

The Queen and her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, planted their own tree on the royal estate in Balmoral, northeast Scotland, last October.

The main celebrations will be held over a four-day long weekend, kicking off with public holidays on Thursday, June 2 and Friday, June 3.

On the Thursday, the Queen’s Birthday Parade will see more than 1,000 soldiers, horses and army musicians perform a Trooping of the Colour ceremony in central London.

The annual event in central London marks the Queen’s official birthday but has been canceled for the last two years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Continuing a tradition dating back hundreds of years, people will light beacons in over 1,500 towns, cities and villages across the country that evening.

On the Friday, there will be a service of thanksgiving at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London, followed up on the Saturday with a live concert featuring big-name stars.

More than 200,000 neighborhood parties are expected to be held on Sunday, June 5, as well as a street pageant in London featuring performers from across the Commonwealth.

The dress and robes worn by the Queen at her coronation in 1953 will be on display at her Windsor Castle home west of London after the main events.

Positive headlines?
Royal officials will be hoping the events can generate more positive headlines after a slew of negative publicity in recent months.

The Queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, is facing a U.S. civil claim for sexual assault and questions about his links to convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The monarch’s grandson, Prince Harry, is set to release his memoirs this year, with the family braced for fresh revelations after his criticisms last year.

The program of mass Jubilee events makes no mention of COVID-19 restrictions, which have curtailed royal engagements and other public duties since early 2020.

Queen Elizabeth II is only the second British monarch to celebrate silver, golden and diamond jubilees to mark 25, 50 and 60 years on the throne.

In 1977, her Silver Jubilee saw nationwide street parties and a procession – as well as the release of the Sex Pistols’ punk anthem “God Save The Queen.”

A highlight of the Golden Jubilee in 2002 was guitarist Brian May – from the rock band Queen – playing the national anthem on the roof of Buckingham Palace.

In 2012, a flotilla of 1,000 boats sailed down the River Thames to mark the 60th anniversary of her reign, helping to boost interest and support for the monarchy.

Soon afterwards, the Queen and her beloved corgis starred in a cameo alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

Source: https://www.dailysabah.com/life/long-live-the-queen-uk-set-to-honor-queens-70-years-on-throne/news

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The post Britain’s fractured royal family faces an uncertain future first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

FILE – In this Tuesday, July 10, 2018 file photo Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, and from left, Meghan the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate the Duchess of Cambridge watch a flypast of Royal Air Force aircraft pass over Buckingham Palace in London. In a stunning declaration, Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, said they are planning “to step back” as senior members of the royal family and “work to become financially independent.” A statement issued by the couple Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020 also said they intend to “balance” their time between the U.K. and North America. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

FILE – In this file photo dated Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, Britain’s Prince William, right, Prince Harry, left, attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is set to hold face-to-face talks Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 with Prince Harry for the first time since he and his wife, Meghan, unveiled their controversial plan to walk away from royal roles — at a dramatic family summit meant to chart a future course for the couple. The meeting at the monarch’s private Sandringham estate in eastern England will also include Harry’s father Prince Charles and his brother Prince William. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE – In this March 5, 2019 file photo, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is joined by Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and at rear, from left, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a reception at Buckingham Palace, London to mark the 50th anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales. In a statement issued on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, Queen Elizabeth II says she has agreed to grant Prince Harry and Meghan their wish for a more independent life that will see them move part-time to Canada. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP, File)

This is a handout photo issued on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 by Buckingham Palace of a statement by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II on the future of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Queen Elizabeth II says she has agreed to grant Prince Harry and Meghan their wish for a more independent life that will see them move part-time to Canada. (Buckingham Palace via AP)

Media prepares in the early morning at the entrance of the castle in Sandringham, England, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have declared they will “work to become financially independent” as part of a surprise announcement saying they wish “to step back” as senior members of the royal family. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

FILE – In this Tuesday, July 10, 2018 file photo Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry watch a flypast of Royal Air Force aircraft pass over Buckingham Palace in London. As part of a surprise announcement distancing themselves from the British royal family, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan declared they will “work to become financially independent” _ a move that has not been clearly spelled out and could be fraught with obstacles. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

The figures of Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, left, are moved from their original positions next to Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, at Madame Tussauds in London, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. Madame Tussauds moved its figures of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex from its Royal Family set to elsewhere in the attraction. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II arrives to attend a morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, England, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have declared they will “work to become financially independent” as part of a surprise announcement saying they wish “to step back” as senior members of the royal family. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP)

SANDRINGHAM, England (AP) — Britain’s pragmatic queen brokered a deal Monday to secure the future of the monarchy, charting a course for Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, that allows them to live part-time in Canada while still remaining firmly tied to the House of Windsor.

The decision followed a summit at Queen Elizabeth II’s Sandringham estate in eastern England that sought to resolve the conundrum of what to do with royals who only want the job part-time. The British monarch said in a statement that the summit of senior royals was “constructive,” and that it had been “agreed that there will be a period of transition″ to sort things out during which Meghan and Harry will spend time in both Canada and the U.K.

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“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,″ the queen said in a statement that offered a demonstrably soft tone. “Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.″

Royal statements are usually sticklers for protocol, but the queen referred to “my grandson and his family” and “Harry and Meghan” rather than using the couple’s formal title, Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The summit marked the first face-to-face talks with Harry since he and Meghan unveiled their controversial wish last week to step back from their royal roles, become financially independent and split their time between Britain and North America. The meeting reflected the queen’s desire to contain the fallout from the independence announcement, which prompted hurt feelings among senior family members not told in advance of the decision.

But by midday Monday, the House of Windsor showed signs of pulling together. Princes William and Harry issued a joint statement slamming a newspaper report describing a severe strain in their relationship, calling the story offensive and potentially harmful.

Though the statement did not name the newspaper, the Times of London has a front-page story about the crisis in which a source alleged that Harry and Meghan had been pushed away by the “bullying attitude” from William. The joint statement insisted that the story was “false.″

“For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful,” the statement said.

The queen said after Monday’s meeting that these were “complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”

One of the trickier questions that needs to be worked out is precisely what it means for a royal to be financially independent and what activities can be undertaken to make money. Other royals who have ventured into the world of commerce have found it complicated.

Sophie, the countess of Wessex, sought to keep her public relations firm going after her marriage to the queen’s third son, Prince Edward, only to find herself embroiled in controversy when she was tricked by the “Fake Sheikh” — an undercover reporter offering a lucrative contract for her firm.

Sophie hinted that if the “sheik” paid for the firm’s services he would get greater publicity because of her royal role. In the end, both Sophie and Edward, who ran a television company, gave up their businesses to become full-time royals in 2002.

Prince Andrew, who was a UK trade envoy, has faced heated questions about his relationship with the late convicted sex offender and financier, Jeffrey Epstein, whom Andrew has said was beneficial to making useful contacts. The queen’s second son has relinquished royal duties and patronages after being accused by a woman who says she was an Epstein trafficking victim who slept with the prince.

Harry and Meghan also face questions about paying for security, which is currently taxpayer-funded. Home Secretary Priti Patel refused to comment, but said safety was a priority and added that “royal family themselves need some time and space for them to work through the current issues that they’re dealing with.”

Meghan, who is American, has longstanding ties to Canada, having lived in Toronto while filming the popular TV series, “Suits.” On Friday, she returned to Canada, where the couple and 8-month-old Archie spent a six-week holiday break out of the public eye.

Bob Morris, the honorary senior research associate at University College London’s Constitution Unit, said that the crux of the matter lies in the difference between being a celebrity and having royal status.

“Royal status sets you apart, it gives you a special role in our society,″ he said. “It is very difficult for you to put the hat on and take it off. You cannot be half royal or royal part of the time. You can switch it off and on, and it seems to me the royal identity would always be the dominant one.”

Some of the challenges are enshrined in the law devised some 20 years ago after an inquiry that followed Sophie’s, brush with the fake sheik. The rules are aimed at ensuring working royals do not exploit their status to profit in business.

Under the guidelines, the royals must consult the most senior member of the royal household before taking on a business activity — a measure that would encroach on Harry and Meghan’s independence.

Last week’s statement by the couple, who are also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pushed the issue out into the open and touched off a royal crisis. Tom Bradby, a TV journalist who is close to Harry and Meghan, warned in the Sunday Times that the royal family badly needed a peace deal to prevent “a protracted war” that could damage the monarchy.

“I have some idea of what might be aired in a full, no-holds-barred, sit-down interview (by Harry and Meghan) and I don’t think it would be pretty,” he wrote in the Sunday Times.

With much at stake, the queen’s decision safeguarded the peace — for now. Royal expert Penny Junor said it was vital for the stability of the royal family to keep Meghan and Harry happy.

“What is absolutely imperative, in my view, is that Harry and Meghan do not go away feeling angry and hurt and rejected, because an angry, hurt, rejected Harry and Meghan could cause absolute havoc for the royal family,″ she said. “If they don’t care anymore, if they want to show them, if they want to get their own back, it could get very nasty. They could go completely rogue.”

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Kirka and Lawless reported from London. Associated Press writer Helena Alves contributed to this report.

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Follow full AP coverage at https://www.apnews.com/PrinceHarry

Source: https://apnews.com/8cb152f4cdd09fc7d312d86c7e704b87

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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is holding an emergency summit with senior royal family members including Prince Harry Monday to discuss his future role and that of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, multiple British news outlets report.

The reaction: The Times reports Prince William spoke of his “sadness” over the couple’s decision to step down as senior royals and split their time between the U.K. and North America, but he hoped for a reconciliation his brother, telling a friend: “I’ve put my arm around my brother all our lives and I can’t do that anymore; we’re separate entities.”

Go deeper: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to “step back” as senior royals

Source: https://www.axios.com/queen-royals-summit-meghan-harry-3f8df73c-8941-43e6-866c-9f926e832b5c.html

The post Queen to hold summit with senior royals on Meghan and Harry: Report first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Prince Philip has recently been left in utter disbelief at the actions of  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He came undone fuming with rage over the blatant ‘lack of respect’ towards the Queen’s wishes.

Prince Philip has been suffering from ailing health for quite a while and is largely bed-ridden, however he and Harry have always remained very close. Due to this, recent events have left him “deeply hurt.” The move was revealed rather hastily on social media, through an official message from the official Sussex website.

Check it out below:

A source revealed the Prince’s reaction to the announcement, stating “To say that the Duke feels let down would be a considerable understatement. He is deeply hurt.”

“He spends much of his time now confined to his cottage at Sandringham, but he was spitting blood when aides informed him what had happened. He has left the Queen in absolutely no doubt about how he feels. Philip has accused Harry and Meghan of lacking respect and he is weary of their behaviour.”

“They did not spend Christmas with the family — which he and the Queen accepted — and now this. His primary concern is the impact this is having on the Queen.”

The source concluded by saying, “A lot of Philip’s anger comes from seeing Her Majesty upset.”

Prince Philip has been resting at Sandringham’s Wood Farm, away from the daily grind of royal duty, but stays up to date through his aids.

The source further added, “Prince Philip is largely bed-ridden and is not in good health. He can only spend about ten minutes at a time in anybody’s company before he feels exhausted. But that has not stopped him from venting his feelings in the clearest terms possible. He’s fully aware of what is happening, and is truly mystified by this week’s events.”

Prince Philip’s bond with Prince Harry is one which cannot be explained, the prince didn’t fail to attend Harry’s wedding even though he had cracked his ribs from a fall just before his big day. Six major surgeries did not sway his determination to be present at church for Prince Harry’s big day.

The Prince has been known to let his emotions out on a number of occasions in the past when he felt other royal wives stepped out of line. Another source revealed, “He won’t be happy about the idea that Meg and Harry need a break from royal duties. This is a man who has dragged himself off his sickbed and even though nearly 100 years old is committed to serving the monarchy.”

“He was very unforgiving of Diana and Fergie appearing, in his eyes, to damage the reputation of the Royal Family. Philip is a no-nonsense man who speaks his mind and isn’t afraid to firmly express his views — whoever they may upset,” the source added.

Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/597490-prince-harrys-disrespectful-decision-to-abdicate-leaves-prince-philip-coughing-up-blood

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Queen Elizabeth is calling for an emergency meeting in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s shocking announcement that they plan to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family.”

The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William have united to tell their offices to work “at pace” to find a solution to Meghan and Harry’s desire to step away from frontline royal work. They have asked their teams to work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s office and governments on both sides of the Atlantic on the issue.

“The Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Cambridge have directed their teams to work at pace with governments and the Sussexes’s office to find workable solutions and this is expected to take days, not weeks,” a royal source tells PEOPLE.

It’s clear that the monarch, 93, wants to get to a conclusion quickly.

RELATED: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Decision Is ‘Unprecedented in the Modern Royal Family’

“This has moved from shock and a range of emotions to something more constructive,” the source adds. “It is complicated. This is happening very quickly. And the proof in that is the fact that this will take days and not weeks.”

DAVID FISHER/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

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The palaces need to “talk openly with governments” both here and across the Atlantic, the source continues. “People are trying to work fast through these complicated issues in order to find something that works for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”

Discussions are focusing on funding for the couple and their team, security and protection, and whether they will have official residences. And then there is the question of what kind of roles they are hoping to fulfill on behalf of the Queen and, if so, whether that includes foreign tours. The governments will be consulted on those key issues, too.

On Wednesday, Harry and Meghan revealed their plans to “carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” they wrote in a statement on Instagram. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry – DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/POOL/AFP VIA GETTY

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“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”

RELATED: Who Really Gets to Decide If Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Can Keep Their Titles?

The source didn’t know if the couple had their sights on Canada or America.

Just hours after Harry and Meghan shared their plan, Queen Elizabeth reacted by saying the conversation is still in “early” stages.

While there was some idea of the couple’s desire to take a different route, as discussions have been confirmed to be taking place, insiders tell PEOPLE that the 93-year-old monarch and senior members of the royal family, including Prince Charles and Prince William, were caught off guard by the release of the couple’s statement on Wednesday.

“There is a lot of hurt about this,” one royal source tells PEOPLE.

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By Simon Perry@SPerryPeoplemag

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Source: https://people.com/royals/queen-summons-royal-family-for-emergency-meeting-this-is-happening-very-quickly/

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