The world in MOURNING
Death of monarch whose reach cut through social divisions and politics marks the start of a new era for Britain and scores of nations around the world, writes Julia Gabel
Queen Elizabeth II was much more than Britain's longestserving monarch. She was sovereign to a further 14 nations, including New Zealand, and a rare figure on the world stage who was almost universally admired. Her reach cut through hemispheres, generations, social divisions and politics.
The world has now entered a new era after her death at 96.
After 70 years on the throne, the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral Castle yesterday, Buckingham Palace said in a statement delivered at 5.30am (NZT).
Her family, including now King Charles III, rushed to be by her side in Scotland after Her Majesty’s doctors said late on Thursday night (NZT) that they were concerned for her health and had recommended she remain under medical supervision.
King Charles and Princess Anne were reportedly by her bedside as she died, while Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and the Queen’s grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry were still en route.
After the news of her death spread throughout the world, people began to mourn the only monarch they knew and thousands gathered at the front of Buckingham Palace in London to honour her.
The crowds outside the royal residence were quiet and the atmosphere was sombre except for sporadic renditions of God Save the Queen and infrequent bursts of applause, the Guardian reported.
By the time night fell, hundreds of bouquets of flowers and rows of flickering candles sat outside the gates.
Tributes quickly flowed; world leaders, dignitaries and other monarchs acknowledged the Queen’s lifelong commitment to service and sent their condolences to the royal family.
The Queen’s son and heir to the throne Charles, 73, automatically and immediately became King when his mother died.
His wife, Camilla, will be crowned Queen Consort alongside him, after the Queen made it known earlier this year the title was her “sincere wish” for her daughter-in-law.
In a statement, King Charles, who will become New Zealand’s head of state, said his beloved mother’s death was a moment of “great sadness” for him and his family.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.
“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 new King said.
Charles is expected to address the world in a televised speech on Friday evening (UK time).
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was Britain's — and New Zealand's — longest-serving monarch, coming to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952.
Her reign coincided with the decline of the British Empire and the rise of the Commonwealth.
While her great-greatgrandmother Queen Victoria ruled over more than 70 countries during her 63 years on the throne, Elizabeth in her later years headed fewer than 20, although as the symbolic figurehead of the Commonwealth, she brought together 56 countries.
But the monarch will be most remembered for her lifelong devotion to duty and public service.
In her second Queen's Christmas Day message — broadcast from Government House in Auckland during the wildly popular 1953-54 Commonwealth tour — she spoke of a new “worldwide fellowship of nations of a type never seen before”.
“Some people have expressed the hope that my reign may mark a new Elizabethan Age,” the Queen said.
“Frankly I do not myself feel at all like my great Tudor forbear, who was blessed with neither husband nor children, who ruled as a despot and was never able to leave her native shores.”
Instead, she outlined her “conception of an equal partnership of nations and races”.
“To that . . . I shall give myself, heart and soul, every day of my life.”
In New Zealand, tributes from leaders honoured the Queen’s long service, sense of duty and constant presence for the country.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this was a time of “deep sadness” and marked the closing of a chapter.
“The last days of the Queen’s life captures who she was in so many ways, working until the very end on behalf of the people she loved.
“The Queen has been such a constant in our lives for 70 years . . . over her reign, she has come to define notions of service, charity and consistency.”
Ardern said the Queen’s commitment to her role had been “unwavering” and a strong memory she held of the monarch was her laughter.
“She was extraordinary.”
Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro said the Queen had “provided a sense of continuity and stability for us”.
“For most New Zealanders, Queen Elizabeth has really been a constant in our lives.
“She worked right up until her death at 96 years old; so, from the time she became a very young monarch right until her death she worked in the service of people, and that was, I think, a reflection of her very deep commitment and belief in the notion of service.”
The Māori King Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII said he had received the news of the Queen’s death with sadness and sent aroha and respect to the royal family as they gathered in Balmoral.
He said the Queen and the late Prince Philip had visited Turangawaewae Marae on several occasions and enjoyed a close relationship with his mother, late Queen Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu.
New Zealand will observe an official period of national mourning until the end of the day the New Zealand Memorial Service for the Queen is held, which will take place in Wellington after her funeral in London.
Ardern and Kiro are expected to attend the Queen’s funeral in Britain, which will most likely be in around 10 days time, with the royal family and heads of state from around the world also expected to attend.
Condolence books have been placed in public spaces, including the Beehive foyer, National Library and Wellington Cathedral.
A 96-gun salute in Wellington last night marked each year of the Queen’s life while flags flew half-mast at Auckland’s War Memorial Museum and harbour bridge as well as outside courthouses, where the country’s top lawyers adjusted to new titles.
King Charles’ immediate ascension to the throne meant the Queen’s Counsel (QC) title has been converted to King’s Counsel (KC), Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann yesterday confirmed.
Flags were also lowered and memorial books placed publicly elsewhere around the country, including Whanganui and parts of Waikato.
In Britain, new Prime Minister Liz Truss also paid tribute to the Queen, saying she was the rock on which modern Britain was built.
“Our country has grown and flourished under her reign. Britain is the great country it is today because of her.”
Truss, who met the Queen at Balmoral only a few days ago as the monarch asked Truss to form a Government in her name, said the Queen had championed the development of the Commonwealth from a small group of seven countries to a family of 56 nations, spanning every continent of the world.
“Through thick and thin Queen Elizabeth II provided us with the strength and stability that we needed. She was the very spirit of Great Britain.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Queen’s death marked the end of a historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service.
“This is a loss we all feel, for few have known a world without Queen Elizabeth II.
“In her seven remarkable decades on the throne, Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change.”
Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama also paid tribute to the Queen, saying Fijian hearts were heavy.
The Queen travelled around the Pacific multiple times during her reign, with a visit to Fiji and Tonga in December 1953, just a few months after her coronation.
“We will always treasure the joy of her visits to Fiji along with every moment that her grace, courage and wisdom were a comfort and inspiration to our people even a world away.”
In a joint statement, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said the Queen “defined an era” and was a steadying presence of constant change while their predecessors, Barack and Michelle Obama, said her reign was “defined by grace, elegance and a tireless work ethic”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it would be Elizabeth’s wisdom, compassion and warmth that would always be remembered.