and national unity. to pick up the point that chris was making, she did indeed project the image, unfailingly positively, abroad. it is sometimes referred to as soft power. she projected it, and if you think of the times over the last 70 years where the reputation of britain had been at a low ebb, internationally, in the 50s, after suez, in the 19705 when internationally, in the 505, after suez, in the 19705 when britain was regarded as the sick man of europe, re5pect regarded as the sick man of europe, respect for her never wavered. she burnished the reputation of britain on the international stage. she encouraged political stability, 5he encouraged political stability, she has been described as a kind of hidden backstop in the constitution, a force field around which good behaviour within the political establishment wa5 behaviour within the political establishment was encouraged. these things, you know, should not be

underestimated. finally, she kept the monarchy 5trong underestimated. finally, she kept the monarchy strong and respected, reigning very much in the style of her beloved father, george vi, and she kept it strong, above all, by setting a personal example. 0ne setting a personal example. one might imagine that her greatest hope now would be that the strength of the monarchy will continue under king charles, and then under william. i'm sure the crowds we saw outside buckingham palace tonight, many people will be reflecting on the theme is that nick was underlining there, because everyone is by now aware that the queen was the longest serving monarch in the history of the united kingdom and held a commanding presence in british public life over many decades. tonight, people have been reacting to the news of her passing. our special correspondent lucy manning has spent the day with people outside buckingham

palace. she was long to reign over us, almost all of her life, and for most here, all of theirs. through the streets of london they streamed to pay tribute to our queen. what's your reaction to the news? i'm so sad because she was a wonderful lady. she dedicated her whole life to the nation and we can just thank her for it and we feel for herfamily today. it's a very sad day. i'm so sad because she was a lovely, beautiful lady, beautiful mother, beautiful grandmother, i've shed many tears for her. she was very much loved. there is a real sense that this queen was a history maker. it's devastating. she is going to be missed by so many people. - she affected so many lives and was an absolutely amazing monarch. i

and what did she mean to you? i think as a woman it's amazing to see a female at the helm - of our country and i might not get another chance to see _ another woman as queen. deeply saddened about the queen. she's done a lot for the country. it's sad to see her go and condolences to the family. what did the queen mean to you? you know, she meant everything to me, my family and, you know, a sense of community, loyalty, giving back serving the community as a whole, so she meant a lot to everyone here today. what will you take away from her life? i think, you know, the biggest thing that i remember is her sense of charity, giving back. the crowds used to gather here in the hundreds of thousands to see the queen on the buckingham palace balcony. as soon as her death was announced they came back. there is a hush here as the one constant in the country's life is no more.

in the place where she died, but balmoral, the locals were proud of their regal visitor who joined them each year. their regal visitor who “oined them each ear. , ,., their regal visitor who “oined them each ear. , �*, their regal visitor who “oined them each ear. , , �*, , each year. very sad, she's been the monarch for — each year. very sad, she's been the monarch for over _ each year. very sad, she's been the monarch for over 70 _ each year. very sad, she's been the monarch for over 70 years. - each year. very sad, she's been the monarch for over 70 years. its - monarch for over 70 years. its history and we wanted to be here to share our condolences and be part of it, kind of thing-— it, kind of thing. it's really sad news to hear, _ it, kind of thing. it's really sad news to hear, actually. - it, kind of thing. it's really sad news to hear, actually. that's| it, kind of thing. it's really sad i news to hear, actually. that's the reason _ news to hear, actually. that's the reason week came, we were hoping to pass on— reason week came, we were hoping to pass on our— reason week came, we were hoping to pass on our regards, just to be here — pass on our regards, just to be here it's — pass on our regards, just to be here. it's sad, actually fast when you never— here. it's sad, actually fast when you never knew her or anything but her significance was just incredible and it_ her significance was just incredible and it doesn't really hit home until you hear— and it doesn't really hit home until you hear something like this and what _ you hear something like this and what she — you hear something like this and what she meant is and what she meant the country— what she meant is and what she meant the country was an incredible legacy — the country was an incredible legacy. 35st the country was an incredible lea .�* �* . ., legacy. at buckingham palace, thousands _ legacy. at buckingham palace, thousands came, _ legacy. at buckingham palace, thousands came, through - legacy. at buckingham palace, thousands came, through the i legacy. at buckingham palace, - thousands came, through the rain, through the night. no one here truthfully is sure what to do, but they know they want to be here to stand, to mark the moment, to bring

flowers, to remember. there was applause... applause # happy and glorious #. and the anthem, words that have echoed here for 70 years. # god save our queen #. her kingdom is united in sorrow but also in admiration, in the sense that we have been fortunate to live in her era, through change and turmoil there has always been the queen. those crowds are still there, some people drifting away, new people arriving, walking down the mall, making their way towards buckingham palace and lucy is there so let's join buckingham palace and lucy is there so let'sjoin her buckingham palace and lucy is there so let's join her now. it buckingham palace and lucy is there so let's join her now.— so let's 'oin her now. it started with a so let's join her now. it started with a few _ so let's join her now. it started with a few hundred _ so let's join her now. it started with a few hundred people - so let's join her now. it started with a few hundred people at l so let's join her now. it started l with a few hundred people at the gates and the news of the queen's

death seemed to spread quietly through the crowds and they stood there watching as the union flag was lowered, and then, as the evening went on, thousands turned out, as you said, hundreds are still here. you might be able to hear they are still singing the national anthem and let us just been very moving in its simplicity here. i'm joined by two people, tracy and olivia, who came down this evening to pay their respects. i want to start, tracey, by asking, why did you want to come? the queen has been a part of my life for even _ the queen has been a part of my life for even ihi— the queen has been a part of my life for ever. i'm in my 505 now and all my life _ for ever. i'm in my 505 now and all my life she — for ever. i'm in my 505 now and all my life she has been part of my life and i've _ my life she has been part of my life and i've been following the news all day, really. — and i've been following the news all day, really, really sad and heartbreaking news, and the last minute, — heartbreaking news, and the last minute, i— heartbreaking news, and the last minute, i thought i'm going tojump on the— minute, i thought i'm going tojump on the train— minute, i thought i'm going tojump on the train and come down and be part of— on the train and come down and be part of this — on the train and come down and be part of this momentous occasion. i bought— part of this momentous occasion. i bought some flowers and a little candle _ bought some flowers and a little candle and just be a part of

celebrating her majesty's life. and celebrating her ma'esty's life. and what does it _ celebrating her majesty's life. fific what does it mean to celebrating her majesty's life. fific what does it mean to you to celebrating her majesty's life. e"ic what does it mean to you to be celebrating her majesty's life. el"ic what does it mean to you to be here? well, it's an historic moment. it's a great _ well, it's an historic moment. it's a great atmosphere, as you said, it's a _ a great atmosphere, as you said, it's a great— a great atmosphere, as you said, it's a great atmosphere tonight. it's quite — it's a great atmosphere tonight. it's quite sombre but there is an air of— it's quite sombre but there is an air of celebration of her life as welt, — air of celebration of her life as welt, so — air of celebration of her life as well, so i'm just so pleased i came here _ well, so i'm just so pleased i came here to _ well, so i'm just so pleased i came here to actually experience this and be a here to actually experience this and he a part— here to actually experience this and he a part of— here to actually experience this and be a part of it. here to actually experience this and be a part of it— be a part of it. olivia, what about ou? be a part of it. olivia, what about you? why — be a part of it. olivia, what about you? why did _ be a part of it. olivia, what about you? why did you _ be a part of it. olivia, what about you? why did you decide - be a part of it. olivia, what about you? why did you decide to - be a part of it. olivia, what aboutj you? why did you decide to come this evening? the you? why did you decide to come this evenin: ? ,., you? why did you decide to come this evenin. ? .,, you? why did you decide to come this evenini? , you? why did you decide to come this evenin. ? ., .,. , ., evening? the same as tracey, for me iirowin u- evening? the same as tracey, for me growing no seeing — evening? the same as tracey, for me growing up seeing the _ evening? the same as tracey, for me growing up seeing the jubilees - evening? the same as tracey, for me growing up seeing the jubilees and i growing up seeing the jubilees and events, _ growing up seeing the jubilees and events, it — growing up seeing the jubilees and events, it feels _ growing up seeing the jubilees and events, it feels like _ growing up seeing the jubilees and events, it feels like the _ growing up seeing the jubilees and events, it feels like the queen- growing up seeing the jubilees and events, it feels like the queen has| events, it feels like the queen has always— events, it feels like the queen has always been— events, it feels like the queen has always been there _ events, it feels like the queen has always been there and _ events, it feels like the queen has always been there and i— events, it feels like the queen has always been there and i think- events, it feels like the queen has always been there and i think we'd struggle _ always been there and i think we'd struggle to — always been there and i think we'd struggle to find _ always been there and i think we'd struggle to find somebody- always been there and i think we'd struggle to find somebody more i always been there and i think we'd . struggle to find somebody more kind of cuituraiiy — struggle to find somebody more kind of culturally and _ struggle to find somebody more kind of culturally and historically- of culturally and historically significant. _ of culturally and historically significant, all— of culturally and historically significant, all the - of culturally and historically significant, all the things. of culturally and historically. significant, all the things she's lived _ significant, all the things she's lived through, _ significant, all the things she's lived through, these _ significant, all the things she's lived through, these huge - significant, all the things she's - lived through, these huge changes, and it— lived through, these huge changes, and it almost — lived through, these huge changes, and it almost feels _ lived through, these huge changes, and it almost feels suddenly - lived through, these huge changes, and it almost feels suddenly to - lived through, these huge changes, i and it almost feels suddenly to come to an end _ and it almost feels suddenly to come to an end we've— and it almost feels suddenly to come to an end. we've been— and it almost feels suddenly to come to an end. we've been following - and it almost feels suddenly to come to an end. we've been following the i to an end. we've been following the news _ to an end. we've been following the news aii _ to an end. we've been following the news all day — to an end. we've been following the news all day and _ to an end. we've been following the news all day and obviously - to an end. we've been following the news all day and obviously the - to an end. we've been following the news all day and obviously the news of the _ news all day and obviously the news of the passing — news all day and obviously the news of the passing was _ news all day and obviously the news of the passing was incredibly- news all day and obviously the news of the passing was incredibly sad - of the passing was incredibly sad but it's— of the passing was incredibly sad but it's also _ of the passing was incredibly sad but it's also a _ of the passing was incredibly sad but it's also a real _ of the passing was incredibly sad but it's also a real atmosphere. of the passing was incredibly sad . but it's also a real atmosphere. my friends _ but it's also a real atmosphere. my friends were — but it's also a real atmosphere. my friends were here _ but it's also a real atmosphere. my friends were here before _ but it's also a real atmosphere. my friends were here before and - but it's also a real atmosphere. my friends were here before and theyl friends were here before and they said, _ friends were here before and they said. you've — friends were here before and they said. you've got— friends were here before and they said, you've got to _ friends were here before and they said, you've got to come, - friends were here before and they said, you've got to come, you'vel friends were here before and they i said, you've got to come, you've got to he _ said, you've got to come, you've got to he a _ said, you've got to come, you've got to he a part — said, you've got to come, you've got to he a part of— said, you've got to come, you've got to he a part of it— said, you've got to come, you've got to be a part of it and _ said, you've got to come, you've got to be a part of it and as _ said, you've got to come, you've got to be a part of it and as sad - said, you've got to come, you've got to be a part of it and as sad as- said, you've got to come, you've got to be a part of it and as sad as it - to be a part of it and as sad as it is it's— to be a part of it and as sad as it is it's a — to be a part of it and as sad as it is it's a huge _ to be a part of it and as sad as it is it's a huge part _ to be a part of it and as sad as it is it's a huge part of— to be a part of it and as sad as it is it's a huge part of history- to be a part of it and as sad as it

is it's a huge part of history andi is it's a huge part of history and it's incredible _ is it's a huge part of history and it's incredible to _ is it's a huge part of history and it's incredible to be _ is it's a huge part of history and it's incredible to be a _ is it's a huge part of history and it's incredible to be a small- is it's a huge part of history andj it's incredible to be a small part of that — it's incredible to be a small part of that. �* ., ,, ., of that. and what did the queen mean to ou? i of that. and what did the queen mean to you? ithink— of that. and what did the queen mean to you? i think she _ of that. and what did the queen mean to you? i think she met _ of that. and what did the queen mean to you? i think she met a _ of that. and what did the queen mean to you? i think she met a lot - of that. and what did the queen mean to you? i think she met a lot of - to you? i think she met a lot of thins to you? i think she met a lot of things to _ to you? i think she met a lot of things to a _ to you? i think she met a lot of things to a lot _ to you? i think she met a lot of things to a lot of— to you? i think she met a lot of things to a lot of people. - to you? i think she met a lot of things to a lot of people. me, | things to a lot of people. me, personally. _ things to a lot of people. me, personally, she _ things to a lot of people. me, personally, she was - things to a lot of people. me, personally, she was in- things to a lot of people. me, personally, she was in a - things to a lot of people. me, | personally, she was in a sense somebody— personally, she was in a sense somebody to _ personally, she was in a sense somebody to look _ personally, she was in a sense somebody to look up - personally, she was in a sense somebody to look up to, - personally, she was in a sense - somebody to look up to, somebody who despite _ somebody to look up to, somebody who despite hardships— somebody to look up to, somebody who despite hardships and _ somebody to look up to, somebody who despite hardships and challenges, - despite hardships and challenges, whatever— despite hardships and challenges, whatever came _ despite hardships and challenges, whatever came her— despite hardships and challenges, whatever came her way— despite hardships and challenges, whatever came her way she - despite hardships and challenges, i whatever came her way she always seemed _ whatever came her way she always seemed to — whatever came her way she always seemed to he _ whatever came her way she always seemed to be so _ whatever came her way she always seemed to be so sturdy— whatever came her way she always seemed to be so sturdy so - whatever came her way she always seemed to be so sturdy so steadyl whatever came her way she always i seemed to be so sturdy so steady and ithink— seemed to be so sturdy so steady and i think i_ seemed to be so sturdy so steady and i think i reaity— seemed to be so sturdy so steady and i think i really respect _ seemed to be so sturdy so steady and i think i really respect that _ i think i really respect that steadfastness_ i think i really respect that steadfastness about - i think i really respect that steadfastness about her. i| i think i really respect that - steadfastness about her. i feel it's a reat— steadfastness about her. i feel it's a real quality— steadfastness about her. i feel it's a real quality to _ steadfastness about her. i feel it's a real quality to have _ steadfastness about her. i feel it's a real quality to have had - steadfastness about her. i feel it's a real quality to have had and - steadfastness about her. i feel it's a real quality to have had and to l a real quality to have had and to have _ a real quality to have had and to have showed _ a real quality to have had and to have showed the _ a real quality to have had and to have showed the people. - a real quality to have had and to have showed the people.- a real quality to have had and to have showed the people. thank you so much forjoining _ have showed the people. thank you so much forjoining us _ have showed the people. thank you so much forjoining us tonight. _ have showed the people. thank you so much forjoining us tonight. i - have showed the people. thank you so much forjoining us tonight. i think - much forjoining us tonight. i think tomorrow the focus will again be at buckingham palace as people tomorrow wake up for the first in 70 years without the queen on the throne. lucy, many thanks, lucy manning, our special correspondent, and thanks to your guests there at buckingham palace. the time is 10:38 p m&g while watching an extended of bbc news at ten on the 8th of september

2022, the day that buckingham palace announced the death of queen elizabeth ii. her majesty died at balmoral in aberdeenshire, at the age of 96. the queen's eldest son, charles, at the age of 73, has become king charles iii. shortly after 6.30 this evening, buckingham palace released this statement. that statement confirming the official news of the queen's death was posted outside royal palaces across the uk, including the palace of holyroodhouse in edinburgh. the same tradition was observed at buckingham palace and other palaces as well.

the crowd, knowing this was part of the tradition come away waiting for this to be posted. it's the way the royal household announces news in the traditional way, before the days of social media, and that again is the formal recognition of the news of the queen's death stop that was at buckingham palace early this evening. there's a lot of response on the nations of the uk, especially in scotland, where balmoral has been such a prominent feature of royal life over the years and the bbc�*s sara smith is that holly for us. maybe some more thoughts from you on the impact of the news of the queen's death in that scottish context. ,, ., ,, . .,

context. the queen held a special lace in context. the queen held a special place in many _ context. the queen held a special place in many scottish _ context. the queen held a special place in many scottish hearts - place in many scottish hearts because she so obviously loved scotland and being herejust last year addressing the scottish parliament, she talked of her deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country, as she called it, and because of the amount of time she spent in scotland and her clear enjoyment of it, scots felt very close to the queen. she came and visited them here very often. you had the first minister nicola sturgeon tonight talking about how the people of scotland loved, admired and respected the queen. you've been talking during this programme about where as a nation we go from here after the passing of queen elizabeth, and that is a question that will be felt quite acutely in scotland, where, as you know, there is continuing debate about whether scotland ought to become an independent country, and it's without doubt that the queen was part of the glue that held the nations of the united kingdom together, so, without her we await together, so, without her we await to see how that debate might take a

different direction. but undoubtedly people who will be unsettled by the passing of the queen will be wondering what kind of political impact it's going to have, as we ask ourselves questions about what kind of united kingdom we are now and whether in fact we should remain united. the snp always said when the queen was on the throne that if scotland were to become independent she would remain the monarch, that she would remain the monarch, that she would remain the monarch, that she would still be queen of scots as well as queen as the rest of the united kingdom. 0n well as queen as the rest of the united kingdom. on the king charles iii the debate may take a different turn that people here will be waiting to see.— turn that people here will be waitin: to see. ., ,, waiting to see. indeed, sara smith, many thanks. _ waiting to see. indeed, sara smith, many thanks. at — waiting to see. indeed, sara smith, many thanks, at holyrood, - waiting to see. indeed, sara smith, many thanks, at holyrood, and - waiting to see. indeed, sara smith, many thanks, at holyrood, and of l many thanks, at holyrood, and of course response as well from the first minister of wales earlier today, mark drakeford, who expressed his sympathy on behalf of the people of wales. let's talk to our wales correspondent hywel griffith. how would you describe the general response there today? i’m

would you describe the general response there today? i'm here at the senedd _ response there today? i'm here at the senedd and _ response there today? i'm here at the senedd and a _ response there today? i'm here at the senedd and a few— response there today? i'm here at the senedd and a few people - response there today? i'm here at the senedd and a few people have already come to lay flowers, the flags have been lowered to half mast and all official business has been suspended for a period of mourning. this is a place the queen came to know well particularly in recent decades. it's where she made her final visit to wales in october last yearfor final visit to wales in october last year for the six final visit to wales in october last yearfor the six opening final visit to wales in october last year for the six opening of the senedd when she was seen for almost the first time using a walking stick in public so it became clear to people she was becoming more frail. it's an institution, some people argue, that she lent legitimacy too. she was actually part of the first national assembly's opening in 1999. we are told despite official advice from whitehall that she should not be part of the devolution project but she was involved in it and she was happy to see change and wanted to be part of it, people have been telling me, rather than to stand against it. the first minister mark drakeford has added his condolences, talking about the queen as a person

of dedication and selfless devotion. all those many organisations for which she was patron of wales, the sporting organisations, the agricultural ones, should be seen at the royal welsh show, so lots of people wanting to express their sympathy to the family as we enter now this long period of mourning. hywel griffith, many thanks, at the seneddin hywel griffith, many thanks, at the senedd in cardiff bay stop. senedd in cardiff bay in hywel griffith, many thanks, at the senedd in cardiff bay in northern ireland, the tension and political processes and evidence of this period of uncertainty which certainly applies to northern ireland, now, obviously we'll be taking in the changes around the monarchy as well and emma vardy is at stormont for us. how would you describe the response there today? there has been very moving tributes here, across the political spectrum.

of course, the queen visited of course, the queen visited northern ireland many times in times of peace, but also during the 30 years of conflict, known as the troubles here. what really stands out about the queen's relationship with the island of ireland is the role she played in peace building and reconciliation. of course, the big political dividing line here is over the very sovereignty of northern ireland itself. of course, the queen is seen differently by unionists and nationalist communities. but after the good friday agreement largely ended the violence here in 1998, the queen's visits here became hugely important for the british and irish relationship. and that has very much been reflected in the tributes from political leaders today. we heard from the leader of the democratic unionist party, sirjeffrey donaldson. he said that her majesty reached out the hand of friendship to help with the reconciliation process. michelle 0'neill, the vice president of sinn fein, said she was

personally gratefulfor president of sinn fein, said she was personally grateful for the queen's contribution in building relationships with those of us that are irish. the queen will be remembered here with affection and respect across the political divide. thank you forjoining us and for giving us a sense of the response in northern ireland. queen elizabeth came to the throne at the age of 25, in rather sudden and abrupt circumstances, when herfather died, circumstances, when her father died, at circumstances, when herfather died, at a relatively young age. and during her long reign she witnessed momentous social and economic change in britain and throughout the commonwealth. her majesty's death concludes a major chapter of british history — a chapter that opened at the midpoint of the 20th century, as britain emerged from the years of the second world war. nicholas witchell presents this account of the queen's long life.

fanfare plays. i here present unto you queen elizabeth, your undoubted queen. # vivat regina! # vivat regina elizabetha! # vivat, vivat, vivat! # is your majesty willing to take the oath? she was 27 when she took the coronation oath. i solemnly promise so to do. she was anointed, blessed and consecrated. music: zadok the priest by handel. she took possession of a 1,200—year—old throne. she knew that it was a role from which only death could release her, and yet when she was born, no—one had thought that it

would be her destiny. elizabeth alexandra mary windsor was born on the 21st april 1926. she was the first child of the then king's second son, the duke of york. this was the young princess elizabeth at the age of four on a visit to a photographic studio in london. her life then was comparatively carefree. it was the abdication in 1936 of her uncle, king edward viii, that unexpectedly placed elizabeth in direct line to the throne. her father became king. god save the king! long live the king! his coronation gave elizabeth a foretaste of what lay in store for her. the family unit was strong. herfather, george vi, was devoted to her — and she to him. throughout her life,

he was to be her inspiration. during the second world war, the royal family symbolised the country's fight against tyranny. elizabeth brieflyjoined up — she was taught how to drive and to service an army lorry. 0n the night britain celebrated victory in europe, the crowds gathered outside buckingham palace and elizabethjoined her family on the palace balcony. by now she was a young woman, and she'd fallen in love. her engagement to lieutenant philip mountbatten, as he was now called, was announced in july 1947. four months later, they were married in westminster abbey. archive: again and again, the people called for- elizabeth and philip. again and again, they joyfully responded. a year later, their first child, charles, was born. two years after that, a daughter, anne. the king had been in poor health — he'd been treated for lung cancer.

when elizabeth left for a trip to east africa in 1952, it was to be the last time she would see him. archive: the flag is low as the news spreads - i the king is dead. at the moment of her father's death, elizabeth was in a game park in kenya. the news that she was now queen was given to her by her husband. archive: hertour of- the commonwealth cancelled, the princess we knew as a girl, and watched in the even growth of her stature, comes back to meet her ministers as queen. in a way, i didn't have an apprenticeship, my father died much too young, and so it was all a very sudden kind of taking—on, and making the bestjob you can. britain was stunned at the loss of its wartime king. his coffin was brought by train from sandringham to london. elizabeth was there to receive it with her mother and sister. and now here comes her majesty...

elizabeth's coronation injune 1953 was one of the biggest public celebrations in britain's recent history. for the first time, television cameras were allowed into westminster abbey — the ceremony was broadcast to millions. archive: the moment _ of the queen's crowning is come. a5 elizabeth was crowned, she accepted what to her was a sacred duty — an obligation to serve which was to set her apart for the remainder of her life. god save the queen, long live the queen! | elizabeth was sovereign and head of state notjust of the united kingdom, but of britain's realms and territories in every continent.

archive: sydneysiders turn out to greet their queen... - in late 1953, she set off on the first of many overseas tours with a six—month trip to australia, new zealand and the pacific. i want to tell you all how happy i am to be amongst you and how much i look forward to myjourney through australia. the young queen was a star on the world stage, and her popularity was never greater. it's estimated that, in australia, three—quarters of the country's entire population turned out to see her in person. but as the 19505 gave way to the swinging �*605 of the beatles, attitudes started to change, old certainties were questioned. the monarchy was seen by some to be stuffy and out of touch. by the late �*605, the palace realised that it needed to take the initiative. the result was a ground—breaking documentary. the film, royal family, showed the monarchy as it had

never been seen before. elizabeth was shown performing the daily business of the sovereign... yes, ma'am? do you think you could bring up those papers that i was looking at yesterday? ..and meeting visiting dignitaries. the american ambassador, your majesty. oh, why have you done that? but the film also showed something of the private elizabeth, relaxing with herfamily on a picnic at balmoral. the salad is ready. her silverjubilee in 1977 was celebrated street parties and pageants. good evening, your majesty. you've had a very long day! by by the 19805, britain had its first woman prime minister, margaret thatcher. relations between female head of state and female head of government were sometimes said to have been strained. with this ring... ..i thee wed.

for the queen and herfamily, the 19805 had begun with a moment of great promise. prince charles�*s wedding injuly 1981 to the young lady diana spencer seemed to be a moment of hope for the future. when the marriage began to fail, its decline was a very public one. the couple's separation was announced in 1992. it followed the collapse of the marriages of princess anne and prince andrew. to compound the misery, the queen had seen part of her favourite home, windsor castle, destroyed by fire. she was devastated. the fire seemed to symbolise the reversal of the royal family's fortunes. little wonder that she described it as her "annus horribilis" — her horrible year. but worse was to follow. the death of the by now divorced diana, princess of wales in a car crash in paris in august 1997 was to provoke what, for the queen,

was a shocking backlash against the monarchy. she'd remained at balmoral with princes william and harry after diana died — her priority had been to care for her grandsons. but to the grieving crowds outside buckingham palace and elsewhere, it seemed as though the royal family simply didn't care. the queen returned to buckingham palace, and in an unprecedented live broadcast on the eve of diana's funeral, she tried to heal the breach that had opened between the palace and the people. what i say to you now, as your queen and as a grandmother, i say from my heart. the queen promised to learn the lessons from diana's life and the reaction to her death. the whole episode had shaken her. for the first time, she'd appeared to be out of tune with the feelings of her people. with charles�*s marriage to his long—term companion, camilla parker—bowles,

in april 2005, the royal family was finally able to turn the page on the domestic anguish of previous decades. it was time to move on. for the queen, it was a moment of relief, and in the years that followed, with scarcely any lessening of their workload, she appeared to enjoy her role with renewed enthusiasm. in 2011, she was at westminster abbey for the wedding of her grandson, prince william, to catherine middleton. it was a moment when the public�*s appreciation for the monarchy seemed to be reconfirmed. a few weeks later, at the age of 85, the queen made one of the most important foreign visits of her reign when she became the first british monarch to visit the republic of ireland. she laid a wreath in memory of those irish nationalists who had risen up against the crown, and at a state dinner in dublin castle, she spoke with regret about britain's treatment of ireland.

with the benefit of historical hindsight, we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently — or not at all. the following year, in belfast, she met and shook hands with martin mcguinness, a former leader of the ira who by then was deputy first minister of northern ireland. it was another significant gesture of reconciliation. her diamond jubilee in 2012 confirmed the nation's regard for a monarch who had reigned for 60 years. mr bond, your majesty. it was also the year when the queen showed that she too could spring a surprise. good evening, mr bond. good evening, your majesty. sovereign and secret agent — one of the highlights of the opening night of the london olympics.

music: happy birthday. by the time of her 90th birthday in april 2016, she'd become the united kingdom's longest reigning monarch, its oldest, and — few would disagree — one of its most deeply respected. she continued with her public duties well into her 905. there was further family turmoil, though. prince andrew was forced to withdraw from public life amid claims he'd sexually assaulted a 17—year—old — claims he denied. and then the sussexes, harry and meghan, decided that they wanted to step back from royal life. they moved to california and gave a television interview in which meghan made damaging criticisms of the royal family. they were unsettling moments, presided over by a monarch who showed that her sense of commitment was undiminished. together, we are tackling this disease... during the coronavirus emergency of 2020, she broadcast a reassuring message to the nation.

we should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. we will be with our friends again. we will be with our families again. we will meet again. her words seemed to encapsulate her role as monarch — drawing on her own long experience to help settle the nation at a moment of difficulty. her resilience was evident again in april 2021, when her beloved husband philip died two months short of his 100th birthday. they'd been married for 73 years. at philip's funeral at st george's chapel within windsor castle, she seemed a solitary figure, pausing at one point to turn and look back. the figure who had been two paces behind herfor so many years was now absent.

elizabeth had the lost the husband who meant so much to her. but despite the great sadness of her loss, there was never any question of her withdrawing from the path of duty. she marked the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, a record no other monarch had achieved, in february 2022. by then, it was apparent that she was rather more frail physically than before, though mentally as sharp as ever. her doctors had advised her to take things a little easier — "light duties" was the expression used by the palace, but every day there were red boxes full of official papers to deal with. in a message to mark 70 years on the throne, she said she was humbled by the loyalty and affection she'd received through out her reign. and she signed the statement,

"your servant, elizabeth r." byjune 2022, and a public celebration of her platinum jubilee, her declining health limited the events she could attend. there was, however, a delightful surprise. a pre—recorded appearance — a somewhat chaotic tea party with paddington bear. perhaps you would like a marmalade sandwich. i always keep one for emergencies. so doi! i keep mine in here. happy jubilee, ma'am. and thank you. for everything. that's very kind. this was a monarch at peace and enjoying herself. 0n the final day of thejubilee celebrations, there was a final appearance on the balcony of buckingham palace.

the national anthem was sung, a much—loved monarch acknowledged the many thousands who had waited to greet her. the crowds cheered and cheered. but finally it was time to go. the queen turned to depart from the balcony on which she'd first been seen as a baby. there was an unspoken feeling that an era was drawing to a close. fanfare plays. throughout her reign, elizabeth ii embodied the strengths of a constitutional monarch, a constant and reassuring presence at the centre of our national life. for decade after decade, she represented a changing kingdom to itself and to the world. above all, hers was a life guided by a christian faith and driven by a profound sense of duty, and by the pledge she made to the world on her 21st birthday.

i declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service, and to the service of our great imperialfamily to which we all belong. god help me to make good my vow, and god bless all of you who are willing to share in it. # god save our gracious queen # long live our noble queen # god save the queen # send her victorious # happy and glorious # long to reign over us

# god save the queen # thy choicest gifts in store # on her be pleased to pour # long may she reign # may she defend our laws # and ever give us cause # to sing with heart and voice

# god save the queen. # white like a life story like no other and beautifully done, if i may say so. such a lovely tribute, and just to encompass lots of different facets of the queen's personality and life, which came over very strongly in that film you put together. and for lots of people watching at home, a powerful and moving

reminder of what the queen has represented in people's lives, even at times when the royal family has not been playing a prominent role for whatever reason in certain events, jubilees and the rest of it. a reminder of the personality and power of the queen over the last 70 years. we will not see her like again. it is hard to imagine britain without her. we were talking earlier, the key to this i think is humility. she recognise that as a hereditary monarch who was there just by virtue of her birth, she had to earn the respect and trust of her people. she referred to it on the night of her coronation on a broadcast on the bbc, she said throughout all my life and with all my heart i will strive to be worthy of your service.

we saw how she signed that message at the time of the 70th anniversary at the time of her session, your servant, elizabeth r. as a former archbishop of canterbury said, it has been a service entirely done and duty faithfully fulfilled. i think there will be millions watching who will say amen to all of that. the queen was notjust mnemonic for the uk, she was head of state in 1a other commonwealth nations. 0ur diplomatic correspondence james landale has been looking at the international response to today's news. from the moment the queen's reign began in kenya in 1952, she played a constant and significant role on the international stage, and this afternoon there was sorrow and regret expressed around the world, including in every corner of the globe. as her 12th canadian prime

minister, i'm having trouble believing that my last sit down with her was my last. i will so miss those chats. she was thoughtful, wise, curious, helpful, funny and so much more. she was one of my favourite people in the world. and i will miss her so. the president of france, emmanuel macron, said, "her majesty queen elizabeth embodied the continuity and unity of the british nation for over 70 years. i keep the memory of a friend of france, a queen of hearts, who marked her country and her century forever." the indian prime minister, narendra modi, said, "her majesty queen elizabeth will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. she provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people." and the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, said, "it is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of her majesty queen elizabeth. on behalf of the ukrainian

people, we extend sincere condolences to the royal family, the entire united kingdom and the commonwealth over this irreparable loss." the president of russia, vladimir putin, who met the queen in more peaceful times, offered his condolences, saying she'd enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects and authority on the world stage. she was dubbed by one of her biographers as "queen of the world", visiting hundreds of countries throughout her reign. she was monarch of 15 separate realms, the head of a commonwealth of some of 56 nations. so there was no surprise that news of the queen's death made headlines around the world. tonight, at the white house, the flags were at half mast. throughout her reign, the queen was a living embodiment of the trans—atlantic relationship, meeting no fewer than 12 us presidents.

in a statement, president biden described her as "a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy". barack 0bama said she'd reigned with "grace, elegance and a tireless work ethic". views echoed on the streets of washington. i admire her greatly, i'm so sorry that she is past. she's an icon here, everywhere. horrible. i've been reading about her my whole life. she's one of the sane people in the uk, like the us, and it's just sad. a5 head of the commonwealth throughout her reign, the queen nurtured and shaped a unique international organisation, whose leaders past and present relied on her wisdom and judgement. the last days of the queen's life captures who she was in so many ways, working to the very end on behalf of the people she loved.

and that is why i'm sure that we will receive the news of her passing with emotions of deep sadness but also gratitude for a life that was utterly and completely devoted to the service of others. and it was to a meeting of commonwealth leaders that the queen made her last overseas tour in 2015, visiting malta, an island she'd once called home, the bookend of a life of duty and diplomacy on the international stage. james landale, bbc news. we can explore the international response a little more. in a moment i will talk to my colleague katya adler, our europe editor in brussels. first we can go to washington and i were north america correspondencejohn sudworth. we heard james talk about the embodiment of the transatlantic alliance. is that the kind of stature

and importance people are attaching to this news today? i think it is. in honour of a rain that has seen the swearing in of 13 us presidents. the queen met 12 of them personally and the lasting that long line, biden, is currently in washington, a couple of miles from where i am, where he has signed a book of condolence and has made some brief remarks. in an earlier statement he said how his brief meetings with the queen, she had cheered him and the first lady with her wit and moved them with her kindness. in recent years, like so many

other parts of the world, coverage of the british monarchy has been often driven by the scandal and intrigue but there is no doubt today in the rolling news coverage of events at balmoral, there is a real sense of a moment in history. the last king of america, george iii, was a direct relation of elizabeth ii, but hers was an era defined by two independent democratic nations. in 1961 she said to president kennedy that three people look to america as a place of aspiration and hope. john sudworth, thank you, with thoughts from the white house. we can go to brussels and speak to katya adler. the relationship with europe and more particularly the european union has changed dramatically in recent years so how would you describe the response today to the queen's death given the relationship between the uk and other countries has,

let's just say it's not the same as it was. when it comes to the queen, i think you cannot overstate the admiration so many europeans feel for her. here outside the european commission the flags are flying at half mast, outside the european parliament as well and in paris the eiffel tower has been plunged into darkness as a sign of respect. if you go onto any european website tonight news of her death is on the front page. if you look at the norwegian public broadcaster, they have totally stopped normal programming to concentrate on the queen. the german president has described the queen as the woman who shaped a century for stop emmanuel macron has called her a kind—hearted queen who left a long lasting impression. he previously described her as a golden thread binding france and uk since world war ii.

because of her decades of public duty and family ties she had close relationships with the royal families of europe as well. very unusually for them we heard personal and touching messages. if you look at the king of spain, he used to refer to her as dear aunt lilbet. here in belgium, the queen said all their encounters will be etched on their memories together. her majesty, rest in peace, they said, alongside your beloved husband. katya adler with thoughts from brussels. if we can take a look in more detail at what's going on inside buckingham palace right now. it is 11.15 and there are still lots of people there. lots of people determined to stay there to show their sympathy for the royal family and express their own sadness at the news.

people are still milling around at this late hour inside central london, clearly buckingham palace is the main focus of people's expressions of sympathy there. the formal notices of the queen's deaths were also posted on other palaces, including holyrood house, balmoral and windsor and sandringham. that's the scene at buckingham palace. borisjohnson, the former prime minister, who paid tribute to the queen today, an eloquent tribute by him, calling her a bright and shining light that has finally gone out. the first ministers of wales and scotland have been paying their respects, honouring the queen's sense of duty and resilience. 0ur political correspondent leila nathoo now reflects on the words expressed today.

flags being lowered to half mast at downing street this evening. tonight, former residents paid tribute to the queen, who'd asked them to form a government. the example, the duty, the selflessness. the way in which other people were put first. the way in which she handled crises with great stoicism when they occurred, as they occurred a number of times during her reign. they were all examples to people about how to behave in their own lives, and examples for our country. her longest serving prime minister, sir tony blair, said... gordon brown took over the labour government in 2007. he reflected tonight on the impression the queen made around the world. everywhere i went, her majesty was respected, she was admired, she was revered, and we will

miss her greatly. there is no monarchy who has served so long, with such popularity and held with such high esteem, and dedicated herself so much to the future of her country. david cameron returned the conservatives to power in 2010. he said of the queen... in 2016, the queen appointed theresa may as britain's second female prime minister. i was fortunate enough to be able to meet her in different circumstances, including in the weekly audiences, but also at balmoral. and saw a more relaxed queen. but i think we are all mourning

the fact that somebody who was a constant in our lives has now passed away. it was just days ago that the queen accepted the resignation of borisjohnson as prime minister. tonight he said... there was a sombre mood among politicians in westminster and around the country. the queen was an ever fixed mark in our lives. the world changed around us, politicians came and went but the queen was our nation's constant. the queen represented duty and courage, as well as warmth and compassion.

the queen was a living reminder of our collective past, of our greatest generation, and the sacrifices made for our freedom today. scotland is loved, respected and admired her. and by all accounts, her majesty was rarely happier than when she was here in scotland in her beloved balmoral, a fact i have been privileged to observe personally. i hope it will be a source of comfort to her family that she spent her final days in a place she loved so much. on behalf of the welsh government and people in all parts of wales, i offer our deepest condolences to all her majesty'schildren and theirfamilies on this sad occasion. she will be sorely missed

by the many organisations in wales she championed and supported over so many decades as patron or as president. mp5 have been accustomed to the queen setting out priorities in parliament. tomorrow they will begin paying their tributes in the house of commons. faith leaders have been probably among the most prominent of those today who have been paying tribute to the queen's work. the queen, a person who drew a lot of strength from her christian faith. we have had to the cardinal of westminster and the leader of the roman catholic church paying his tribute earlier. the chief rabbi and the muslim council of great britain and the archbishop of canterbury, who paid his own tribute, justin welby, to the queen's kindness and her sense of greater

duty and the christian values she put into practice in terms of dealing with others and considering problems which people shared. 0ur religion editor al aleem maqbool joins us from lambeth palace, the archbishop of canterbury's official london residence. such a strong link for titular reasons and official reasons between the queen and the established church, the church of england. absolutely right. as well as being head of state she was defender of the faith, supreme governor of the church of england as well, but by all accounts, as you allude to, those were titles that the queen considered more than constitutional duties. they were things she lived by. we heard that in the statement given by the archbishop of canterburyjustin welby, who alluded to the fact her faith guided her, in his words,

hour by hour, day by day. justin welby talks about his profound sadness at the news but also the great privilege that he had to meet the queen on many occasions, talking about her humility, humour and kindness, saying that she had been a great blessing to us all. but the queen, certainly in the latter parts of her reign had been clear that she felt anglicanism had a duty to protect people of other faiths, to be able to practice other faiths and that is reflected in the huge number of messages that have come from other faith groups. pope francis has sent a telegram to the king, offering his condolences. we hear that the archbishop of canterbury is due to meet the king tomorrow and the church of england has called for churches

across the country at midday to toll their bells for a full hour in respect. aleem maqbool, our religious editor, thank you, at lambeth palace, the official residence of the archbishop of canterbury. as we approach the end of this broadcast, it seems appropriate that we can just remind ourselves of a very happy episode injune of this year when the united kingdom celebrated the platinum jubilee, 70 years of her majesty'sreign, a landmark no other british monarch has reached. it was four days of great celebration and happiness and the queen made some memorable appearances there. royal correspondent sarah campbell reminds us now of those rather wonderful for days. —— four days. the sun shone and crowds filled the mall.

forfour days injune, the message could not have been clearer. god save the queen! # concretejungle where dreams are made of...# a galaxy of rock royalty, and the british people, in their thousands, celebrating a reign etched so deeply in our memories. your majesty, mummy. you have been there for us for the 70 years. these pictures on your house are the story of your life, and ours. and listen to the reaction of this delighted and grateful crowd. the queen's appearances were brief, but unforgettable. oh, that's wonderful. 0n the first day, her delight, both at the sight and sound of so many people, and the antics of her great grandson, were obvious. that evening, her majesty lit the first of a giant chain of beacons, symbols of hope in 2,500 towns and cities, from shetland to australia and new zealand.

what a wonderful sound, those bells can be heard all over the city of london. the next morning, the bells of st paul's marked the national service of thanksgiving. the surrounding pavements, packed with well—wishers. we'll never see this again in our lifetimes. so it's really a special day for us, yes. absolutely magical atmosphere. we're enjoying every second. this was the largest gathering of royals since before the pandemic. almost all the members of her family were there, but not the queen. she was unable to attend in person, but watched the service from home. thank you for showing us how service and faithfulness matter. this is english champagne, specially for the queen. the thank yous continued at tens of thousands ofjubilee lunches, bringing communities together, something the queen

had done throughout her reign. # we talk about love, love, love...# at the platinum party at the palace, a line—up of legends. # sweet caroline. ..# each with their own memory of britain's longest reign. i've grown up with this woman, you know? i was seven when she came to the throne. so, she's always been part of my life. around the olympics, she was absolutely essential. when some of the selection panel came through the city, she hosted them at buckingham palace on a friday night, in the evening. appeared on the balcony and wave them goodbye. so, it sort of put paris and madrid in its place. i do hope you are having a lovelyjubilee. to those memories, she added... tea? ..two more. oh, yes, please. stealing the show with paddington. a wave from her majesty, to acknowledge the wave of love

that is surely coming across that balcony and sweeping its way through the palace. and bringing events to a close, on the balcony of buckingham palace, surrounded by herfamily, including her three heirs. a wonderful four day party was officially over. # what a wonderful...# but what a platinum jubilee it had been. # ..world.#

wasn't that lady right in the crowd when she said, we just know this is such a special event and we are never going to see anything like this again? she struck exactly the right note, a lovely four days. nicholas witchell is still with me, a last word before we end this broadcast. i don't like to ask the question but i am bound to ask the question for reasons of curiosity, for people watching certainly. what happens over the next few days? celebrations three months ago and now a period of national mourning and millions of people will mourn and feel that very personally and keenly, notjust in this country but elsewhere as well. the crown has passed immediately, imperceptibly, invisibly, to charles. no heir to the throne has waited for longer all been older on succeeding to the throne.

it is now up to him as the personification of the crown that the main organs of the state owe their allegiance, the armed forces, judiciary, courts, civil service and government. he will address the nation at some point. there will be a meeting of the accession council when the reign of charles iii will be proclaimed. he is king, there is no swearing in or anything like that necessarily. bells will be run and gun sounded in tribute to queen elizabeth. there will be church services and condolence books will be opened. flowers will be laid and i suspect on a scale we have not witnessed since the death of diana, princess of wales. and in approximately ten days from now we will get all the details from the palace in due course but in approximately ten days there will be the state funeral. and we haven't seen a state funeral in this country since the state funeral

of winston churchill in 1965. then the king and nation will have a chance to pay their final respects to the monarch who signed herself your servant, her majesty queen elizabeth ii. again, thank you. we thank you for your contributions today. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. coming to the end of this momentous day. a significant milestone, we can all agree, day. a significant milestone, we can allagree, in day. a significant milestone, we can all agree, in the history of the united kingdom and the commonwealth. the longest serving monarch in history, no longer with us. her eldest son is already king. it is a day that few in britain will forget for as long as they live. there will be continuing coverage now from my colleague christian fraser, but we will leave you tonight with some of the great images, those powerful and moving images from the queen's life. from all of the team here, thank you

for being with us, and good night. it is our dearest hope that the queen— it is our dearest hope that the queen wiii— it is our dearest hope that the queen will be _ it is our dearest hope that the queen will be happy, - it is our dearest hope that the queen will be happy, and - it is our dearest hope that the queen will be happy, and our| queen will be happy, and our resolve, unswerving, - queen will be happy, and our resolve, unswerving, that. queen will be happy, and our| resolve, unswerving, that her queen will be happy, and our- resolve, unswerving, that her reign shatt— resolve, unswerving, that her reign shall he _ resolve, unswerving, that her reign shall he as— resolve, unswerving, that her reign shall be as glorious _ resolve, unswerving, that her reign shall be as glorious as _ resolve, unswerving, that her reign shall be as glorious as her- resolve, unswerving, that her reign shall be as glorious as her devoted | shall be as glorious as her devoted subjects _ shall be as glorious as her devoted subjects can — shall be as glorious as her devoted subjects can help _ shall be as glorious as her devoted subjects can help her— shall be as glorious as her devoted subjects can help her to— shall be as glorious as her devoted subjects can help her to make - shall be as glorious as her devoted subjects can help her to make it. l

music: zadok the priest

buckingham palace has announced the death of her majesty, queen elizabeth ii, the longest reigning monarch in the history of the united kingdom, and the commanding presence in british public life over a span of eight decades. she died at balmoral castle in aberdeenshire at the age of 96. the queen's eldest son charles, at the age of 73, has

become king charles iii. it was at 6:30pm this evening that buckingham palace released this formal statement. following the death of his mother, his majesty king charles iii released this statement.

queen elizabeth came to the throne at the age of 25, and during her long reign, she witnessed momentous social and economic change in britain and throughout the commonwealth. her majesty's death concludes a major chapter in british history, a chapter that opened at the midpoint of the 20th century as britain emerged from the years of the second world war. nicholas witchell presents this account of the queen's long life. few brought quite such a level of dedication to the role. elizabeth was born in 1926, the elder daughter of the duke of york. no one imagined then that she would one day be queen. but when she was

ten years old, her uncle, king edward viii, abandoned the throne, and herfather became king george vi. and her father became king george vi. ., vi. long live the king! german _ vi. long live the king! german bombers - vi. long live the king! | german bombers rained vi. long live the king! - german bombers rained fire and vi. long live the king! _ german bombers rained fire and high expiosive _ german bombers rained fire and high explosive bombs... during _ explosive bombs... during the second world war, as german bombs fell on britain, the royal family, princess elizabeth, as she was then, her younger sister margaret, and her parents, the king and queen, came to symbolise the nation's fight against tyranny. elizabeth brieflyjoined up. she was taught how to drive and service an army lorry. 0n the night britain celebrated victory in europe, the crowds gathered outside buckingham palace, and elizabethjoined her family outside the palace on the balcony. by balcony. by now, she was a young woman and had fallen in love. her engagement to lieutenant philip mountbatten was announced injuly1947. four months later, they were married in

westminster abbey. a year later, their first child charles was born. two years after that, a daughter, anne. but the king was in poor health. he had been treated for lung cancer. when elizabeth left for a visit to east africa in february 1952, it was to be the last time she would see him. at the moment of her father's death from a heart attack, elizabeth was in a game park and can year. she returned to london as queen. in year. she returned to london as queen. ., , �* year. she returned to london as queen. . �* ., ., queen. in a way, i didn't have an apprenticeship- _ queen. in a way, i didn't have an apprenticeship. my _ queen. in a way, i didn't have an apprenticeship. my father - queen. in a way, i didn't have an apprenticeship. my father died i queen. in a way, i didn't have an - apprenticeship. my father died much too young, and so, it was all a very sudden kind of taking on, and making the bestjob you can. elizabeth's coronation took place in june 1953, and for the first time, television cameras were allowed into westminster abbey. the ceremony was broadcast to millions.

the moment of the queen's crowning is come... elizabeth was sovereign and head of state notjust of elizabeth was sovereign and head of state not just of the elizabeth was sovereign and head of state notjust of the united kingdom, but of britain's realms and territories on every continent. she was to become the most travelled monarch in british history. i was to become the most travelled monarch in british history.- monarch in british history. i want to tell you _ monarch in british history. i want to tell you all— monarch in british history. i want to tell you all how _ monarch in british history. i want to tell you all how happy - monarch in british history. i want to tell you all how happy i - monarch in british history. i want to tell you all how happy i am - monarch in british history. i want to tell you all how happy i am to | monarch in british history. i want l to tell you all how happy i am to be amongst you, and how much i look forward to myjourney to australia. it is estimated that on that first visit to australia, three quarters of the country's entire population turned out to see her. by turned out to see her. by the 19605, social attitudes were changing. there was less deference.

the monarchy was thought by some to be out of touch. the response, a ground—breaking television documentary. the film royal family showed the queen working... yes, ma'am? d0 showed the queen working... yes. ma'am?_ showed the queen working... yes, ma'am? ~ yes, ma'am? do you think you could brini u- yes, ma'am? do you think you could bring op those _ yes, ma'am? do you think you could bring up those papers _ yes, ma'am? do you think you could bring up those papers i _ yes, ma'am? do you think you could bring up those papers i was - yes, ma'am? do you think you could bring up those papers i was working | bring up those papers i was working on yesterday? bud bring up those papers i was working on yesterday?— on yesterday? and relaxing with theirfamily- _ with this ring... with— with this ring... with this - with this ring... “mm with this ring... i thee _ with this ring... i thee wed... ithee wed... i— i thee wed... i thee - i thee wed... i thee wed. l i thee wed. the - i thee wed. the 19805 began with a moment of great promise. the wedding of prince charles to diana spencer. so much turn to dust by the 19905. charles and diana separated in 1992. other marriages had also collapsed. and

the queen watched as her favourite home, windsor castle, was seriously damaged by fire. worse was to follow. in august 1997, damaged by fire. worse was to follow. in august1997, diana, princess of wales, was killed in a car accident in paris. the queen had remained to take care of william and harry, but to grieving crowds outside buckingham palace, it seemed as if the queen did not care. the queen returned to london, and in a live broadcast, she tried to heal the breach. what i say to you now as your queen and as a grandmother, i say from my heart. first, iwant and as a grandmother, i say from my heart. first, i want to pay tribute to diana myself. the commonwealth was a cause close to her heart. she visited most of its members. but it was a visit to dublin in 2011 which was one of the most significant of her reign. she was the first british monarch to visit the republic of ireland. she spoke about britain's regrets. brute spoke about britain's regrets. we can all spoke about britain's regrets. - can all see things spoke about britain's regrets. e can all see things which we would

wish had been done differently. 0r wish had been done differently. or not at all. the following year, in belfast, she met and shook hands with martin mcguinness, a former leader of the ira, who, by then, was deputy first minister of northern ireland. it was another significant gesture of reconciliation. a diamond jubilee in 2012 confirmed the nation's deep respect and affection for a monarch who had reigned for 60 years. mr bond, your majesty. it mr bond, your majesty. it was _ mr bond, your majesty. it was also the year when the queen showed that she too could spring a surprise. good evening, mr bond. good evening, mr bond. good evening, mr bond. good evening, your majesty. sovereign _ good evening, your majesty. sovereign and _ good evening, your majesty. sovereign and secret - good evening, your majesty. sovereign and secret agent, i good evening, your majesty. . sovereign and secret agent, one good evening, your majesty. - sovereign and secret agent, one of the highlights of the opening night of the london olympics. it is for me? she continued with her public duties

well into her 905. there was further family turmoil, though. prince andrew was forced to withdraw from public life amid claims he had sexually assaulted a 17—year—old, claims he denied. and then the sussexes, harry and meghan, decided they wanted to step back from my wife. they moved to california and gave a television interview in which meghan made damaging criticisms of the royal family. there were unsettling moments presided over by a monarchy showed that her sense of commitment was undiminished. together, we are tackling this disease. during the coronavirus emergency of 2020, she broadcast a reassuring message to the nation. we should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. we will be with our friends again. we will be with our friends again. we will be with our friends again. we will be with ourfamilies again. we with our friends again. we will be with our families again. we will meet again. bell the death in april 2021 of her

beloved husband philip after 73 years of marriage was a moment of deep sadness. it was born with the stoicism that she so often personified. there was never any question of her withdrawing from the path of duty. by withdrawing from the path of duty. by the time of her platinum jubilee in 2022, it was apparent that her health was deteriorating. but there was still room for a surprise, a chaotic tea party with paddington bear. perhaps you would like a marmalade sandwich! _ perhaps you would like a marmalade sandwich! i_ perhaps you would like a marmalade sandwich! i always keep one for emergencies. so _ emergencies. so do i! so doi! i so do i! i keep so do i! ikeep mine so do i! i keep mine in here. hgppy i keep mine in here. happyjubilee, ma'am. and thank you for everything. that's very kind. this was a monarch at peace and enjoying herself.

0n the final day of thejubilee celebrations, there was a final appearance on the balcony of buckingham palace. the national anthem a much loved monarch acknowledge the many thousands who had waited to see her, untilfinally, it was time many thousands who had waited to see her, until finally, it was time to go. there was an unspoken feeling that an area was drawing to a close. —— an era. for decade after decade, elizabeth ii was the constant and reassuring presence at the centre of national life. respected as a constitutional monarch, admired within britain, the commonwealth, and beyond. it was a life sustained by faith and driven by duty. and by the pledge she made on her 21st birthday. i declare before you all that my

whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperialfamily to service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. god help me to make good my vow, and god bless all of you who are willing to share in it. nicholas witchell looking back on the extraordinary life of queen elizabeth the second. thousands of people, of course, through the day, are gathering at buckingham palace and have been gathering since news of the queen's condition broke this morning. let's speak to kasia madera, who is at the palace this morning. a5 nicholas was saying, she was the one constant in our collective life, and now she has gone. but the respect and the affection that people felt for her, i imagine on full display there at the palace tonight?

christian, you really get a sense of that. people coming here, continuing to come here, bearing in mind it is a quarter to midnight local time and the weather has been dreadful. it has been raining consistently throughout the day, and yet people still come, and when we were talking to security guards as we arrived here, they were saying at the height of the crowds, there were thousands of the crowds, there were thousands of people here paying their respects, just wanting to come and peacefully pay their condolences to her majesty the queen. and even now, there are still hundreds of people here, people of all ages. we spoke to some young australians who said that they, given the queen and her position as head of state of australia, they wanted to be here, to pay their respects and just take in the atmosphere. very quiet, very solemn, but again, a little bits early on, people were breaking into spontaneous singing of the national anthem, god save the king. so, very

much people wanting to be here and wanting to just share this moment of national grief, and a moment of national grief, and a moment of national change for the united kingdom. it is a good point you made that there is so much change coming for so many of us. she was ever present on our post boxes, on our coins, on our stamps. the national anthem will change. we will have to get used to seeing god save the king. there is a big adjustment coming for everyone. a big adjustment, and that is something we will be talking about through the days and weeks to come. but at the moment, when you get a sense of the people here, theyjust want to reflect on queen elizabeth. she has been such a constant in this country's life, if you think about it. generations have known no one else. a fascinating point that i was listening to today. her reign spanned 15 prime ministers, starting with winston churchill, and he was

born in 187a. with winston churchill, and he was born in1871i. 0f with winston churchill, and he was born in1871i. of course, ending with liz truss, who was born 101 years later. so an absolute constant through those difficult times of change and turbulence. 0f through those difficult times of change and turbulence. of course, we had the impact of covid, and we still recall how, when the queen and prince philip, who were still alive then, were vaccinated, it was something that the palace wanted the public to know, a sense that they are together with the rest of the nation, so, yes, very much constant in the changing world that we are in at the moment, and what we sense here with the people behind me is that they just want to reflect on her majesty. i that they just want to reflect on her majesty-— that they just want to reflect on her ma'es . , ., ,., ., her ma'esty. i remember a poll that was her majesty. i remember a poll that was published _ her majesty. i remember a poll that was published not _ her majesty. i remember a poll that was published not that _ her majesty. i remember a poll that was published not that long - her majesty. i remember a poll that was published not that long ago - her majesty. i remember a poll that was published not that long ago in l was published not that long ago in which 31% of british people, almost one in three british people said they have either seen or met the queen in real life. she has touched everyone in some way. it’s

queen in real life. she has touched everyone in some way.— everyone in some way. it's a remarkable _ everyone in some way. it's a remarkable statistic, - everyone in some way. it's a remarkable statistic, isn't i everyone in some way. it's a| remarkable statistic, isn't it? everyone in some way. it's a i remarkable statistic, isn't it? and when you think about the amount of meetings and gratings and openings that she has attended, that she had attended throughout her life, it's just one of the longest serving monarchs, who was consistently there throughout all of these different periods. sojust throughout all of these different periods. so just think about what was happening here back injune, just outside buckingham palace. the state had been set, thejubilee celebrations. diana ross finishing the finale of the concert to celebrate the platinum jubilee celebrations. so she has been such a constant and has touched so many people and as you know, when you meet a member of the royal family, it is quite a daunting experience. i have never met her majesty the queen. i met prince william and kate, and there is a lot of protocol that you do. you are not allowed to

ask questions. there is a way to behave. they instigate the conversation, but they know everything about you. they have been briefed. so i can only imagine, all of those people who have been touched by queen elizabeth and what it must have meant to them. her constant duty of service, her constant duty of service, her constant presence in this nation's history, and now, we look forward and ahead to a change. indeed so. kasia, thank you very much for that. the sad news of the queen's death broke in reasonably good time for the papers at 6:30pm in the evening, so the papers, as you would expect, entirely filled with the events of what was a tumultuous day at balmoral. mark is with us. you have been looking through the papers. what is noticeable, first of all, is that all the mastheads have been changed to black? yes, the queen was no stranger to britain's front pages. she has adorned them for years, but the enormity of tomorrow's front pages strikes you black and white,

mastheads, the colour missing, but respectful coverage, touching coverage. if we show you the times front page, death of the queen, they say, and they are using a portrait here released by the royal family with the announcement of the queen's death. but newspapers have been planning this for a long time, and there is a wrap around on the times which we can also show you now, at this picture from the queen's coronation, which we can go on too, that you can see in a second, is repeated in five or six newspapers there. and that was the portrait taken by cecil beaton in 1953 at the throne room of buckingham palace, the painted background they're depicting westminster abbey, the queen wearing her garment, and i would say that is the picture of choice in the newspapers tomorrow. 0n the back of that, they have put this quote from the queen from her

christmas broadcast in 1957, the first time it was televised. it is worth reading out. it says... i cannot lead you into battle stop i do not give you laws are administer justice, but i can do something else. i can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands, and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations. and that was the guiding principle of her very long reign, until the end. right. and so the mirror reflects what a lot of people are thinking, and they say thank you on their front page. they are reflecting what we saw with the people behind kasia, reflecting the gratitude. and the telegraph also chooses their words carefully. "grief is the price we pay for love" really reflecting the theme across many of the papers that it is a nation in m. —— in mourning.

and the son, as you would expect from them, "we love you, ma'am". interestingly, in the editorial in the son, saying that britain has lost its backbone, and it is the day britain and much of the world dreaded is upon us, she is gone. it reminds me a little bit of the quote we got from the by borisjohnson, the former prime minister, who has clearly thought an awful lot about the tribute he was going to pay, and will have spent more time than most with her at his weekly meetings, and said, it is only when we face the reality of the loss, we truly understand what has gone and what she meant for us. and i think they will be a sense of that in the morning, won't there, mark? people will have gone to bed reflecting on the news, but only when you look at the arc of history that will be there in the newspapers, that change that kasia

was talking about that is coming, will people really start to understand, i think, will people really start to understand, ithink, the will people really start to understand, i think, the enormity of what has happened. yes. understand, i think, the enormity of what has happened.— what has happened. yes, it is a difficult point _ what has happened. yes, it is a difficult point in _ what has happened. yes, it is a difficult point in britain - what has happened. yes, it is aj difficult point in britain because micro—history. you're dealing with the loss of the queen, but also the making of a king, the loss of the queen, but also the making ofa king, but the loss of the queen, but also the making of a king, but very clearly, the papers are all focused, at the moment at least, on the loss of the queen. there was a very spontaneous moment, a picture which we will show you now, which many viewers will be noticed at the moment of the announcement of the queen's death. a rainbow appeared over windsor castle. it also appeared over the victoria memorial, prompting some, picked up by the daily mail, to say that that was the queen with prince philip. so i think people are dealing with a whole range of emotions, but of course, as you said, people will be looking forward to the making of a king. kasia touched on it, this transition that people are singing god save the king. parts of british life are going to change. qcs, senior barristers appointed by the lord

chamberlain, are now known as kcs, or king's counsels. so we are going to hearfrom charles in the or king's counsels. so we are going to hear from charles in the next few hours, no doubt, or he will be speaking tomorrow, that there are so much in from 96 years of the queen's life. 76 years of service, that service that service that the times was talking about, and i think when people wake up tomorrow and have these papers on their hands, it is giving them a chance to really take in the enormity of what has happened. and that's how it should be, because of course, there will be time, and we will look in good time at the funeral that will come in ten days' time, and the protocol and the procession is that there will be. but it's right that we pause at this moment back on that service, as you say, in 70 years of service. we live such a fast pace life, it is right that we look back and reflect. band that we look back and reflect. and the queen. _

that we look back and reflect. and the queen. it _ that we look back and reflect. el"ic the queen, it has been talked about a lot, has been the unity, the reassurance of so many things. she does try and make statements, very subtly, very quietly, whether she is dressed up in ukrainian colours or whether she wants to express her feelings about the union. but when we have come to times of need, when we have come to times of need, when we have come to times of need, when we have had problems, when we have had strife, the queen has been there. she has met more people than anybody can remember. she is known the world over, and i thinkjust seeing the image of her throughout these newspapers will move a lot of people and shake their memories too. yes. there have been announcements through the day. of course, there are implications for the running of state, and parliamentary business will stop. all political, sporting and comedy events have been cancelled, and the united kingdom and the commonwealth has entered an extended period of mourning. let's just go back to the palace to kasia,

for a final thought. i heard andrew lloyd webber speaking earlier, down there to lay his flowers. do you get there to lay his flowers. do you get the sense... i guess the main palaces, windsor, which was her home, buckingham palace, which was very much the office, they will become the focal point, will they, for the nation's griev?— for the nation's griev? christian, i think ou for the nation's griev? christian, i think you are _ for the nation's griev? christian, i think you are absolutely - for the nation's griev? christian, i think you are absolutely right. i for the nation's griev? christian, ij think you are absolutely right. we can see that already with the still hundreds of people here, hundreds of people still wanting to pay their respects, to read that notice that was posted earlier on today that read, and i want to reflect these words were more time, 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, so we are expecting the king, king charles, and queen consort, to come to london on friday. and they will be here at buckingham palace. this will de...

0ne can't imagine another place people will want to come to. it is the official residence of the royal family, and yes, of course, the queen was living in windsor castle, but it is still such a symbolic place, at the centre of london, the one all the tourists come to. buckingham palace is the one you can come and visit. it is the one that really come as you can see behind me, there are still hundreds of people milling around, stilljust walking around and reflecting and taking photos of that notice, that official notice that has been pinned to the palace gates. 0ne official notice that has been pinned to the palace gates. one can imagine that this will increasingly become the place that people will want to reflect and want to spend some time as this country mourns. kasia madera at buckingham palace, thank you very much for that. yes, it must be a mass of conflicting emotions for prince charles. the oldest heir apparent in british history. he is 73. the

previous oldest was in his 605. but while he must grieve privately, he must now assert himself and begin his reign, and we will hearfrom him, as kasia says, in the morning. buckingham palace has announced the death of elizabeth ii, the longest reigning monarch in british history and a presence in public life over the span of eight decades. she died in balmoral castle in aberdeenshire at the age of 96. the queen plus my eldest son charles at the age of 73 has become king charles iii. at 6:30pm buckingham palace to release the formal statement, the queen died peacefully at balmoral this afternoon. following the death of his mother,

his majesty king charles iii release this statement. 0ur correspondence daniela relph looks back at a momentous day. tuesday the 6th of september, the last photos of the queen. 96 years old and still at work. meeting the

new prime minister at balmoral, a duty she was keen to fulfil and one we now know was her final duty after seven decades of public service. around four o'clock this afternoon, a number of the queen's family arrived at aberdeen airport. her grandson the duke of cambridge was the first to emerge, followed by her daughter—in—law, sophie b countess of wessex. and then her two youngest sons, edward, the earl of wessex, and andrew, the duke of york. the duke of cambridge drove the family to balmoral tojoin his father and other members of the family already there with the queen. harry, the duke of sussex, arrived separately later in the evening. here in the uk for charity events, his wife meghan did not accompany him to scotland. at 6:30pm buckingham palace officially announced the death of queen elizabeth ii. following tradition, the statement was attached to the palace gates by two footmen as tributes began.-

footmen as tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was _ footmen as tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was the _ footmen as tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was the rock _ footmen as tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was the rock on i footmen as tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was the rock on which | elizabeth ii was the rock on which modern britain was built. 0ur modern britain was built. our country has grown and flourished under her reign. she was the very spirit of great britain and that spirit of great britain and that spirit will endure. she has been our longest ever reigning monarch. it is an extraordinary achievement to have resided with such dignity and grace for 70 years and with the passing of the second elizabethan age we usher in a new era in the magnificent history of our great country exactly as her majesty would have wished. by saying the words, god save the king. and also from the leader of the opposition. for and also from the leader of the opposition-— and also from the leader of the opposition. and also from the leader of the o- osition. ., .,, ., ., , ., opposition. for the vast ma'ority of us, the opposition. for the vast ma'ority of the rate — opposition. for the vast ma'ority of us, the late queen i opposition. for the vast ma'ority of us, the late queen has i opposition. for the vast majority of us, the late queen has been i opposition. for the vast majority ofj us, the late queen has been simply the queen. the only queen. above all

else, our queen. a5 the queen. the only queen. above all else, our queen. as we mourn her loss, we should also treasure her life. our longest serving and greatest ever monarch, above the clashes of politics she stood not for what the nation fought over but what it agreed upon.— for what the nation fought over but what it agreed upon. throughout the da there what it agreed upon. throughout the day there had _ what it agreed upon. throughout the day there had been _ what it agreed upon. throughout the day there had been growing - what it agreed upon. throughout the day there had been growing unease l day there had been growing unease about the queen's health. in the commons, as keir starmer stood up to speak, opposite him the prime minister was being told of the queen's condition. information passed to angela rayner, the labour deputy leader, who left her seat for a while to discuss the development before the speaker of the house addressed the chamber. i before the speaker of the house addressed the chamber.- before the speaker of the house addressed the chamber. i know i seak on addressed the chamber. i know i speak on behalf _ addressed the chamber. i know i speak on behalf of _ addressed the chamber. i know i speak on behalf of the _ addressed the chamber. i know i speak on behalf of the entire i addressed the chamber. i know i i speak on behalf of the entire house when i say we send our best wishes to her majesty the queen and that she and her royal family are to her majesty the queen and that she and her royalfamily are in our thoughts and prayers at this moment. cheered by onlookers, one of the queen's last royal engagements was injuly with her daughter princess

anne, opening a new state—of—the—art hospice in berkshire. but these kinds of visits had become rare in the past year as the queen relied on her walking stick, her mobility compromised. the royal household had tried to adapt to keep her active and visible. a golf buggy at the chelsea flower show helped keep the queen comfortable. but she had become noticeably more thin and more frail, something that severely limited her involvement in her own platinumjubilee limited her involvement in her own platinum jubilee celebrations, with her family increasingly representing her. at the weekend, her son stood in at the braemar highland games, always a favourite event for the queen that she reluctantly missed. like so much of her life, the decline in her health was played out in public. duty may have got harder to manage physically but mentally, even emotionally, the queen remained engaged and working to the very end.

studio: daniela relph reporting. no doubt a moment of immense national sadness and no great surprise given the queen's age and the problems she has been having with her mobility but no question for a lot of people around the country, a personal sense of shock at the news that has broken today. emma simpson, our correspondent, is with us. a seismic moment and a moment that so many have dreaded for so long has come. absolutely. one politician said tonight, it is hard to imagine britain without her. i think that sums it up, it is that moment of huge loss, profound change for the country and of course real sadness. it is no surprise given her age and declining health but it is still a huge shock. i think many will find it hard to believe that she was seeing a new pm at balmoraljust two

days ago, looking frail but smiling and on herfeet. but it was days ago, looking frail but smiling and on her feet. but it was that news at lunchtime today that she was under medical supervision, that doctors were concerned, that really changed everything, that people started fearing the worst and events moved swiftly. but how do you begin to distil 70 years as our longest serving monarch? ithink to distil 70 years as our longest serving monarch? i think it comes down to, and it has been said repeatedly this evening, she was that reassuring symbol of continuity throughout our lifetimes and at age 96, only a sliver of the uk population will have grown up without her. she was part of the fabric of our nation, part of the glue that binds it the uk together. it is really interesting, that photograph. like you say, i think she combined, she was the monarch, but she combined the official and

the sovereign with the familiar and the sovereign with the familiar and the family. we can look at that photograph and see a grandmother, for instance. she was there with a beaming smile, yes, with a walking stick, we knew of her mobility problems, but she looked well for a woman of 96 and that is perhaps why so many people are finding it difficult to deal with the news today. it difficult to deal with the news toda . . . difficult to deal with the news toda . ., , ., difficult to deal with the news toda. ., , ,, difficult to deal with the news toda. .,, ~ , difficult to deal with the news toda. «e , , today. it has not sunk in yet but she was in _ today. it has not sunk in yet but she was in a _ today. it has not sunk in yet but she was in a way _ today. it has not sunk in yet but she was in a way the _ today. it has not sunk in yet but she was in a way the mother i today. it has not sunk in yet but| she was in a way the mother and grandmother of the nation. i think in some ways her virtues of integrity, decency and duty came to be all the more appreciated the longer she survived. she has been this constant in the background of our lives and i think there is such sadness and shock tonight. that sorrow will be felt around the world for all the lives she has touched and i think many wish she could have gone on for ever, really. she symbolised the nation and tomorrow she will not be there. a new era

begins and this is the start of a momentous week, ten days, an era of transition. brute momentous week, ten days, an era of transition. ~ ., ., , ., transition. we will turn our ears to the new king. _ transition. we will turn our ears to the new king, king _ transition. we will turn our ears to the new king, king charles - transition. we will turn our ears to the new king, king charles iii, i transition. we will turn our ears to | the new king, king charles iii, who must lead the nation through the grief and the mourning. there will be time to look at what is next but there is a lot of protocol to be organised by the cabinet office and palace. what do you suspect will come in the next few days? edit you suspect will come in the next few da s? .., , ., you suspect will come in the next fewda s? , ., , few days? of course there have been very detailed. _ few days? of course there have been very detailed, long _ few days? of course there have been very detailed, long established i very detailed, long established plans that will have been tweaked over the years and perhaps some further tweaks now given she passed away at balmoral. but what i think we can certainly expect is the queen's coffin will be taken down to london where she will lie in state and there will be a state funeral.

we don't know when but it could be in ten days' time. events will unfold in the coming days and we know king charles will return to london tomorrow. we will have some tributes in the commons and it will be a momentous week to ten days, a chance for us to give thanks to reflect, and tomorrow morning when kids go to school, imagine the school assemblies that will take place. we will be talking up and down the country as early as when the kids go to school tomorrow morning. mi; the kids go to school tomorrow mornini. y . the kids go to school tomorrow mornini. e, . ., , morning. my children have been askini morning. my children have been asking about _ morning. my children have been asking about it _ morning. my children have been asking about it tonight - morning. my children have been asking about it tonight before i l asking about it tonight before i came to work. they have come to know her, as have many young children, and they are as much a part of this story as well. emma simpson, thank you, and we of course will move in ten days' time towards the first full state funeral since winston churchill in 1965 and britain and

many people around the world will be morning with britain, particularly those in the commonwealth. boris johnson has led tributes to the queen from former british prime ministers, calling her a queen from former british prime ministers, calling hera bright queen from former british prime ministers, calling her a bright and shining light that has finally gone out. the first ministers of wales and scotland have also paid their respects, honouring her deep sense of duty and resilience will stop our correspondence leila nathoo reflects on their words. flags being lowered to half mast at downing street this evening. tonight, former residents paid tribute to the queen, who'd asked them to form a government. the example, the duty, the selflessness. the way in which other people were put first. the way in which she handled crises with great stoicism when they occurred, as they occurred a number of times during her reign. they were all examples to people about how to behave in their own lives, and examples for our country. her longest serving prime minister, sir tony blair, said...

gordon brown took over the labour government in 2007. he reflected tonight on the impression the queen made around the world. everywhere i went, her majesty was respected, she was admired, she was revered, and we will miss her greatly. there is no monarchy who has served so long, with such popularity and held with such high esteem, and dedicated herself so much to the future of her country. david cameron returned the conservatives to power in 2010. he said of the queen...

in 2016, the queen appointed theresa may as britain's second female prime minister. i was fortunate enough to be able to meet her in different circumstances, including in the weekly audiences, but also at balmoral. and saw a more relaxed queen. but i think we are all mourning the fact that somebody who was a constant in our lives has now passed away. it was just days ago that the queen accepted the resignation tonight he said... there was a sombre mood among

politicians in westminster and around the country. the queen was an ever—fixed mark in our lives. the world changed around us, politicians came and went but the queen was our nation's constant. the queen represented duty and courage, as well as warmth and compassion. the queen was a living reminder of our collective past, of our greatest generation, and the sacrifices made for our freedom today. scotland loved, respected and admired her. and by all accounts, her majesty was rarely happier than when she was here in scotland at her beloved balmoral, a fact i have been privileged to observe personally. i hope it will be a source of comfort to her family that she spent her final days in a place she loved so much. on behalf of the welsh government

and people in all parts of wales, i offer our deepest condolences to all her majesty's children and theirfamilies on this sad occasion. she will be sorely missed by the many organisations in wales she championed and supported over so many decades as patron or as president. mp5 have been accustomed to the queen setting out government priorities in parliament. tomorrow they will begin paying their tributes in the house of commons. a5 as we know, the queen was not only the monarch for the united kingdom, but also the head of state across 11i other commonwealth countries. how has the news been received across the world? our diplomatic correspondence james landale has been looking at the international

response. from the moment the queen's reign began in kenya in 1952, she played a constant and significant role on the international stage, and today there was an outpouring of sorrow and regret in every corner of the globe. as her 12th canadian prime minister, i'm having trouble believing that my last sit down with her was my last. i will so miss those chats. she was thoughtful, wise, curious, helpful, funny and so much more. she was one of my favourite people in the world. and i will miss her so. the president of france, emmanuel macron, said, "her majesty queen elizabeth embodied the continuity and unity of the british nation for over 70 years. i keep the memory of a friend

of france, a queen of hearts, who marked her country and her century forever." the indian prime minister, narendra modi, said.. and the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, said... the president of russia, vladimir putin, who met the queen in more peaceful times, offered his condolences, saying she'd enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects and authority on the world stage. she was dubbed by one of her biographers as "queen of the world", visiting hundreds of countries throughout her reign. she was monarch of 15 separate realms, the head

of a commonwealth of some of 56 nations. so there was no surprise that news of the queen's death made headlines around the world. tonight, at the white house, the flags were at half mast. throughout her reign, the queen was a living embodiment of the trans—atlantic relationship, meeting no fewer than 12 us presidents. in a statement, president biden described her as "a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy". barack 0bama said she'd reigned with "grace, elegance and a tireless work ethic". views echoed on the streets of washington. i admire her greatly, i'm so sorry that she's passed. she's an icon here, everywhere. horrible. i've been reading about her my whole life. she's one of the sane people in the uk, like the us,

and it's just sad. a5 head of the commonwealth throughout her reign, the queen nurtured and shaped a unique international organisation, whose leaders past and present relied on her wisdom and judgement. the last days of the queen's life captures who she was in so many ways, working to the very end on behalf of the people she loved. and that is why i'm sure that we will receive the news of her passing with emotions of deep sadness but also gratitude for a life that was utterly and completely devoted to the service of others. and it was to a meeting of commonwealth leaders that the queen made her last overseas tour in 2015, visiting malta, an island she'd once called home, the bookend of a life of duty and diplomacy on the international stage. james landale, bbc news.

we can go to washington and speak to the bbc plus mcgarry o'donoghue, at the bbc plus mcgarry o'donoghue, at the british embassy where president biden hasjust signed the british embassy where president biden has just signed the the british embassy where president biden hasjust signed the book the british embassy where president biden has just signed the book of condolences. he biden hasjust signed the book of condolences.— biden hasjust signed the book of condolences. . , . .. ., , condolences. he has, and actually, in iuite condolences. he has, and actually, in quite an — condolences. he has, and actually, in quite an extraordinary _ condolences. he has, and actually, in quite an extraordinary short i in quite an extraordinary short space of time between the formal announcement of the queen's death and a request from the white house that the president and first lady be allowed to come here and pay their condolences. i think a sign of the strength of relationship between britain and the united states, that something the bidens wanted to do straightaway. they were welcomed here by the british ambassador, dame karen pearce and her husband and four hours were exchanged. they chatted and there were about three dozen members of embassy staff looking on. joe biden sat for perhaps three minutes signing the book of condolence, three separate

lines of text talking about the queen's strength and dignity. a5 lines of text talking about the queen's strength and dignity. as he stood up he said, i mourn for you all, she was a great lady. before he left he spent time talking with staff and cracking some jokes and getting some laughs out of them, indeed. but a sombre occasion and one that points out the nature of the close relationship, often we call the special relationship, between britain and the united states, where the queen was head of state for 70 years. it states, where the queen was head of state for 70 years.— state for 70 years. it was a warm statement — state for 70 years. it was a warm statement from _ state for 70 years. it was a warm statement from president - state for 70 years. it was a warm statement from president biden. state for 70 years. it was a warm i statement from president biden. they met recently in cornwall at the g7 summit which we covered. there is a line i wanted to pick out from his statement because it is important in historical terms. statement because it is important in historicalterms. he statement because it is important in historical terms. he said she was the first british monarch to people all around the world who could feel an immediate and personal connection with. the united states has a difficult history with the british

monarchy, when you look back over the centuries. this was a new period, at the turn of the 20th century and she embodied that very different relationship.— different relationship. that's absolutely — different relationship. that's absolutely right. _ different relationship. that's absolutely right. when i different relationship. that's absolutely right. when you | different relationship. that's i absolutely right. when you think, her father was george vi of britain and it was only george iii, who the americans called a tyrant. that's why they had a revolution here and that's why they have the war of independence, to free themselves from what they saw as the tyranny of the british throne and indeed the tyranny of the british parliament 250 years ago. i think you're right, it was an acknowledgement, and it is a difficult thing for american politicians brought up in the republican, small tradition and big republican, small tradition and big r tradition in other cases, to learn monarchy could be a force for good.

it goes against their tradition. he paid tribute to her for showing solidarity with america after 9/11, teaching americans, as he put it, that you grieve because you love, according to his account of her words. i think there is a genuine warmth there. and it is a tribute to the queen's ability to engage and to charm world leaders because if we are brutally honest, joe biden perhaps isn't the most pro—british president there has ever been. he sees himself as having a background, an irish background, and he has been very critical of all sorts of elements of british policy in ireland, particularly recently over the northern ireland protocol, but in this case, about this woman, about our monarch, he was absolutely

unambiguous. geri; about our monarch, he was absolutely unambiguous-— unambiguous. gary donahue in washington. — unambiguous. gary donahue in washington, thank _ unambiguous. gary donahue in washington, thank you. - unambiguous. gary donahue in washington, thank you. as i unambiguous. gary donahue in washington, thank you. as you unambiguous. gary donahue in i washington, thank you. as you saw in james's report, there have been condolences sent from around the world. at the united nations the security council held a minute's silence. pope francis praised her faith and said he was praying for her eternal rest. french president two your ryan maron —— emmanuel macron called her a friend of france. and in germany they recognised how the country was in mourning with the uk. we can go back to washington to speak to our colleague there. she met 13 of the 14 us colleague there. she met 13 of the m us presidents who served during her 70 years on the throne and as we witness together, we covered donald trump's visit to london, it was always a special moment for people on both sides of the atlantic when a

queen came to together with a president. it queen came to together with a resident. . , queen came to together with a president-— queen came to together with a resident. , , , president. it is funny, here is the resident president. it is funny, here is the president of _ president. it is funny, here is the president of the _ president. it is funny, here is the president of the united _ president. it is funny, here is the president of the united states i president. it is funny, here is the l president of the united states who has this hard power, the biggest military and economy in the world, and i would watch successive presidents go over to meet the queen as she got more small and frail and they would gojelly as she got more small and frail and they would go jelly kneed over her. it was odd, watching presidents become schoolboys again. it was almost without exception. interestingly, i was having a conversation with someone who used to work in the 0bama administration and they said the only president who flew over for and they said the only president who flew overfor his and they said the only president who flew over for his first meeting with the queen not completely awestruck was barack 0bama, who didn't quite buy into the pomp and circumstance of it all and yet he too was won over by her and i think is the only president to have made a visit to buckingham palace to see the queen after he was no longer president and apparently they became close and got on extremely well. she had this

effect, this woman on the other side of the atlantic who was growing more old and frail, have this effect on american presidents where, despite their power and all they could do politically around the world that she was not engaged in, she somehow had the upper hand when they went to meet her. it was a badge of honour for every american president to meet the queen. i for every american president to meet the queen. .. for every american president to meet the queen. ~' ., ~' for every american president to meet the queen. ~' ., ,, ., for every american president to meet the queen. .. ., ~' ., ,, the queen. i like to think of us presidents _ the queen. i like to think of us presidents going _ the queen. i like to think of us presidents going jelly - the queen. i like to think of us presidents going jelly kneed i the queen. i like to think of us i presidents going jelly kneed factory but i think you're right, it probably was like that. you are right to point out the relationship she managed to build with them. her first trip to washington was in 1957 when she met president dwight eisenhower, who she would know all about because he played such a significant role in world war ii. they wrote each of the letters for years and she even sent him recipes force cons. i years and she even sent him recipes force cons. . ., years and she even sent him recipes force cons-— force cons. i read that as well. he had one force cons. i read that as well. he had gone is _ force cons. i read that as well. he had gone is at _ force cons. i read that as well. he had gone is at a _ force cons. i read that as well. he had gone is at a picnic _ force cons. i read that as well. he had gone is at a picnic in - force cons. i read that as well. hel had gone is at a picnic in balmoral.

—— he had scones at a picnic at balmoral maybe. she had this relationship back and forth. she bonded with one president overriding. there is a photograph of the two of them at windsor castle own horseback and she carried on that relationship. she went to california to visit him and they were going to go riding but the weather didn't cooperate. she managed to find some connection with american presidents and i think that's why you have been hearing them say notjust about her legacy as a monarch but repeatedly what a kind woman she was or how much they got on with her personally and what a great sense of humour she was. that's something they appreciated, that she made the effort to make a personal connection with presidents, who lets face it, like prime ministers were going to come and go, she outlived them all, she got use

to one president and she would have to one president and she would have to roll out the red carpet or buckle up to roll out the red carpet or buckle up the jet to fly out to meet another president but she made the effort with each of them to find a personal connection and that is something you have seen in the tributes they have paid her today. she was inscrutable. you never knew what she was thinking. although she was a stickler for protocol and the tradition, she would never embarrass or put a world leader on edge if that particularfigure or put a world leader on edge if that particular figure gave her a hug or walks in front of her, whatever it might be, and us presidents, and the families of presidents, and the families of presidents did do that at times. i thought you were going to go to donald trump. we both covered that visit, right, where he broke protocol. the british public in particular was appalled by it. the american public was appalled by it too because you just didn't do it, you didn't walk in front of the queen or keeper waiting. i suspect

she was unflappable about those kinds of things. she had been there so long and had seen it all and somehow rise above that sort of incident and didn't take herself or the faux pas of others too seriously. michelle 0bama famously wrote in her memoir, the other famous faux pas of recent times, where michelle 0bama put her arm on the queen's back, and the queen responded by hugging her back, by putting a hand on michelle 0bama's back. michelle 0bama wrote in her memoir about that incident and the uproar it caused about her breaking protocol and she said it showed the humanity in her majesty. she wasn't just a stickler for protocol but she was a human being. it was a tribute that perhaps the presidents appreciated in her, that she was able to not exactly cast protocol aside but not let it get in the way of a relationship if they faux pas

it was made. i of a relationship if they faux pas it was made-— of a relationship if they faux pas it was made. , , ., ., it was made. i remember being at a state dinner— it was made. i remember being at a state dinner she _ it was made. i remember being at a state dinner she attended _ it was made. i remember being at a state dinner she attended in - it was made. i remember being at a state dinner she attended in paris i state dinner she attended in paris and francois hollande, who was then the president, tame to talk to us and said he had a jelly kneed moment riding down the champs—elysees from the tomb of the unknown soldier because he knew he was in the presence of history. this was a woman who had a relationship with charles de gaulle and he said on the days they had driven down the sharm is a leader say there were bigger crowds than his inauguration, although it did rain during his inauguration, so maybe that explains it but it does speak of the awe with which world leaders held her. we live in... in the united states and in the uk, we live in a multi—faith, multiethnic society and there is much greater social mobility than when the queen came to the throne. the monarchy is not that. it is

hereditary, it is privilege, it is a white family born into power. so why is it so popular in the united states and overseas? is it what she embodied, that sort of humility that you describe? imean, is i mean, is it her, is it the position of the monarchy, is itjust the longevity of someone that has been here for 70 years amid the tumult, who has seen the cold war come and go, successive presidents come and go, successive presidents come and go, as we have talked about, or is it the package of those things? and now the queen has gone and we have king charles iii, will there be that same fascination? will be interesting to see how it plays out, christian, whether the sense of reverence holds. you have all of these divisions in the royal family. how are those handled, and in a way, it was the queen that kind of overcame those divisions in the

american eyes, because she was not part of them, she rose above them, and they respected her for that. it will be really interesting to see whether america's love affair, if you like, with monarchy survives past the queen. yet i think they will focus on william and kate, and they are attracted to them as a young, glamorous couple. americans like glamour. they like the glamour side of the royal family. but i wonder whether it will be a slightly different relationship between the us, not the united kingdom, but between the us and the royal family, now that the queen is no longer there. it will be one to watch, as king charles iii takes up his reign. thank you very much, katty kay, joining us from washington, and many of the thoughts that were reflected in the statements of president biden today. he said she was a ruler of

dignity, who deep in the alliance between the nations. a sense of duty, service, humility in an ever shifting world, in a deeply political, partisan world, she brought a sense of reassurance, of continuity. and i think that is very much the theme that many will be reflecting on tonight. you are watching continuing coverage, reflecting on the life and death of her majesty, queen elizabeth ii. the bbc�*s royal correspondent nicholas witchell looks back. archive: under admiralty arch, into trafalgar square, _ the tumult of welcome and love surrounds her. fanfare plays. i here present unto you queen elizabeth, your undoubted queen. # vivat regina! # vivat regina elizabetha! # vivat, vivat, vivat! #

is your majesty willing to take the oath? iam willing. she was 27 when she took the coronation oath. will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland? i solemnly promise so to do. she was anointed, blessed and consecrated. music: zadok the priest by handel she took possession of a 1,200—year—old throne. she knew that it was a role from which only death could release her, and yet when she was born, no—one had thought that it would be her destiny. elizabeth alexandra mary windsor was born on the 21st april, 1926.

she was the first child of the then king's second son, the duke of york. she cried at her christening, perhaps the only time in her life that she made a public scene. she was a happy child with, occasionally, a child's sense of mischief. this was the young princess elizabeth at the age of four and three quarters on a visit to a photographic studio in london. she was soon to learn the self discipline expected of the royal family. a politician called winston churchill noted that she had "an air of authority that was astonishing in an infant." fate propelled that infant towards the throne. in 1936, her uncle, king edward viii, abandoned the crown in order to marry the twice—divorced american wallis simpson. elizabeth's father reluctantly took the throne. god save the king! long live the king! his coronation gave elizabeth a foretaste of what lay in store for her. she later wrote that she'd found

the service "very, very wonderful". elizabeth's childhood was a sheltered one — she never went to school, but was educated at home with her younger sister, margaret. but the family unit was strong. herfather, george vi, was devoted to her — and she to him. throughout her life, he was to be her inspiration. injuly 1939, the king took his daughters to the royal naval college at dartmouth, and there amongst the cadets was the young prince philip of greece. it wasn't the first time they'd met. it was, though, the first time they'd taken an interest in each other. but europe was on the brink of war. the nazis were on the march, britain was preparing to defend itself, and as children were being evacuated from britain's cities, elizabeth made herfirst radio broadcast. thousands of you in this country have had to leave your home and be separated from your fathers and mothers. my sister margaret rose

and ifeel so much for you, as we know from experience what it means to be away from those we love most of all. night after night during the blitz, german bombs fell on britain. the king and queen refused to send elizabeth and her sister abroad — the royal family symbolised the united kingdom's fight against tyranny. buckingham palace was bombed. and elizabeth brieflyjoined up. she was taught how to drive and service an army lorry. a5 britain celebrated victory in europe, the crowds gathered outside buckingham palace. elizabethjoined herfamily on the balcony, and later that evening, she slipped out with friends to join the crowds, as she later recalled. we cheered the king and queen on the balcony and then walked miles through the streets. i remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of

happiness and relief. with the war over, there was an opportunity to relax, and for elizabeth, there was another reason to be happy — she'd fallen in love. her engagement to lieutenant philip mountbatten, as he was now called, was announced in july 191i7. four months later, they were married in westminster abbey. archive: seldom has a bride and groom received such i a tumultous expression of goodwill. a year later, their first child, charles, was born. two years after that, a daughter, anne. by now, philip had resumed his naval career. he was posted to the mediterranean island of malta, where he was joined by his wife. it was the most carefree time of their married life. but it wasn't to last.

the king was in poor health — he'd been treated for lung cancer. when elizabeth left for a trip to east africa in 1952, it was to be the last time she would see him. archive: it was a farewell. it was also, as events turned out, goodbye. at the moment of her father's death from a heart attack, elizabeth was in a game park in kenya. the news that she was now queen was given to her by her husband. archive: hertour of- the commonwealth cancelled, the princess we knew as a girl and watched in the even growth of her stature comes back to meet her ministers as queen. in a way, i didn't have an apprenticeship, my father died much too young, and so it was all a very sudden kind of taking—on, and making the bestjob you can. britain was stunned at the loss of its wartime king. his coffin was brought by train

from sandringham to london. elizabeth was there to receive it with her mother and sister. george vi was laid to rest after a state funeral. elizabeth's succession was proclaimed. to bless the royal princess elizabeth ii with long and happy years to reign over us. god save the queen! hip—hip. hooray! britain pledged its loyalty to its new monarch, a glamorous woman in her mid—205 who seemed to symbolise all the country's post—war hopes. there was talk of a new elizabethan era. and now here comes her majesty... elizabeth's coronation injune1953 was one of the biggest public celebrations in britain's recent history. for the first time, television cameras were allowed into westminster abbey — the ceremony was broadcast to millions.

archive: the moment _ of the queen's crowning is come. a5 elizabeth was crowned, she accepted what to her was a sacred duty — an obligation to serve which was to set her apart for the remainder of her life. god save the queen, long live the queen! | elizabeth was sovereign and head of state notjust of the united kingdom, but of britain's realms and territories in every continent. archive: sydneysiders turn out to greet their queen... - in late 1953, she set off on the first of many overseas tours with a six—month trip to australia, new zealand and the pacific. i want to tell you all how happy i am to be amongst you and how much i look forward to myjourney through australia.

the young queen was a star on the world stage, and her popularity was never greater. it's estimated that, in australia, three—quarters of the country's entire population turned out to see her in person. archive: and a great roar of cheering pours out i from tens of thousands... the trip was a huge personal success. a happy picture of this fairy queen who has, it seems, come magically amongst us. but as the 19505 gave way to the swinging �*605 of the beatles, attitudes started to change, old certainties were questioned. the monarchy was seen by some to be stuffy and out of touch. elizabeth was always cautious about change, but shrewd enough to recognise that the monarchy needed to move with the times. on some matters, though, she showed a less certain touch. when a coal tip in aberfan collapsed onto a school, killing 116 children, elizabeth was urged to visit the village. initially, she declined.

she finally went to aberfan eight days after the disaster. although a supremely dutiful monarch, she found public emotion difficult to handle. her sense of duty also at times interfered with her family role. her son and heir charles had been a sensitive child who found his mother's absences difficult and wounding. and her husband, philip, was a restless man who sometimes found his role as consort frustrating. on one occasion, the palace had to deny rumours that the marriage was in difficulty. in fact, it was a partnership from which elizabeth was to derive great strength and reassurance. in the early �*605, they had two more children — prince andrew, born in february 1960, and prince edward in march 1964. by the late �*605, the palace realised that it needed to take the initiative. the result was a ground—breaking documentary. the film, royal family, showed the monarchy as it had never been seen before.

elizabeth was shown performing the daily business of the sovereign, working on the official documents which were delivered to her virtually every day... yes, ma'am. do you think you could bring up those papers that i was looking at yesterday? the american ambassador, your majesty _ ..and meeting visiting dignitaries. we're in the embassy residence — subject, of course, to some of the discomfiture as a result of a need for elements of refurbishing, rehabilitation. for her silverjubilee in 1977, there were carnivals, street parties and pageants. elizabeth had by then been queen for a quarter of a century, during which britain had changed profoundly. yet the monarchy seemed as secure in the public�*s affection as it had ever been. and that was very largely due to the queen herself — her commitment remained absolute. my lord mayor, when i was 21, i pledged my life to the service of our people, and i asked for god's

help to make good that vow. although that vow was made in my salad days, when i was green injudgment, i do not regret nor retract one word of it. applause violence breached the royal circle in 1979, when the duke's uncle, earl mountbatten, was murdered off the west coast of ireland by the ira. the vulnerability of the queen herself was exposed at the trooping the colour ceremony in 1981. a disturbed youth in the crowd had a gun. gunshots blank shots were fired as the queen rode past. despite the pandemonium, she brought her horse under control and carried on. there was concern again a year later when it emerged that an intruder had entered buckingham palace one morning and found his way

into the queen's bedroom. she kept him talking until help arrived. good evening, your majesty. you've had a very long day! britain by now had its first woman prime minister, margaret thatcher. relations between female head of state and female head of government were sometimes said to have been strained. one at times difficult area was the queen's devotion to the commonwealth, of which she was head. elizabeth knew the leaders of black africa well and was sympathetic to their cause. she was said to have found mrs thatcher's attitude and confrontational style puzzling. with this ring... ..i thee wed. for the queen and herfamily, the 19805 had begun with a moment of great promise. prince charles�*s wedding injuly 1981 to the young lady diana spencer seemed to be a moment of hope

for the future. the new princess of wales captured the public imagination and became a media superstar. consequently, when the marriage began to fail, its decline was a very public one. when the couple's separation was announced in 1992, it followed the collapse of the first marriage of the queen's daughter, princess anne, and a series of lurid stories involving the queen's other daughter—in—law, the duchess of york, whose marriage to prince andrew had also ended. national anthem plays in a revealing speech to mark over 40 years on the throne, the queen described 1982 as her "annus horribilis" — her horrible year — and conceded the need for a more open monarchy in return for a less hostile media. no institution — city, monarchy, whatever — should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give

it their loyalty and support. not to mention those who don't. but we are all part of the same fabric of our national society, and that scrutiny by one part of another can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding. to compound the misery, a few days earlier, the queen had seen part of her favourite home, windsor castle, destroyed by fire. she was devastated. the fire seemed to symbolise the reversal of the royal family's fortunes, difficulties which were exacerbated by a public row over who should pay for the castle's repairs. but even worse was to follow. the death of the by now divorced diana, princess of wales in a car crash in paris in august 1997 was to provoke what, for the queen, was a shocking backlash against the monarchy.

she'd remained at balmoral with princes william and harry after diana died — her priority had been to care for her grandsons. but to the grieving crowds outside buckingham palace and elsewhere, it seemed as though the royal family simply didn't care. it provoked some of the most hostile headlines of her reign. the queen herself was being called to account. there followed a hastily planned return to the palace to inspect the thousands of flowers left in diana's memory, and in an unprecedented live broadcast on the eve of diana's funeral, the queen tried to heal the breach that had opened between the palace and the people. what i say to you now, as your queen and as a grandmother, i say from my heart. first, i want to pay tribute to diana myself. the queen promised to learn the lessons from diana's life and the reaction to her death.

the whole episode had shaken her. for the first time, she'd appeared to be out of tune with the feelings of her people. the decommissioning of the royal yacht britannia was another moment of sadness. it had been there for so many of the happy moments of her life — for family holidays around the scottish islands and state occasions the world over. for once, after so many other difficulties, the queen's distress was evident. with charles�*s marriage to his long—term companion, camilla parker—bowles, in april 2005, the royal family was finally able to turn the page on the domestic anguish of previous decades. it was time to move on. for the queen, it was a moment of relief, and in the years that followed, with scarcely any lessening of their workload, she appeared to enjoy her role

with renewed enthusiasm. in 2011, she was at westminster abbey for the wedding of her grandson, prince william, to catherine middleton. it was a moment when the public�*s appreciation for the monarchy seemed to be reconfirmed. a few weeks later, at the age of 85, the queen made one of the most important foreign visits of her reign when she became the first british monarch to visit the republic of ireland. she laid a wreath in memory of those irish nationalists who had risen up against the crown, and at a state dinner in dublin castle, she spoke with regret about britain's treatment of ireland. with the benefit of historical hindsight, we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently — or not at all. the following year, in belfast, she met and shook hands with martin mcguinness, a former leader of the ira who by then was deputy first minister of northern ireland.

it was another significant gesture of reconciliation. her diamond jubilee in 2012 confirmed the nation's regard for a monarch who had reigned for 60 years. mr bond, your majesty. it was also the year when the queen showed that she too could spring a surprise. good evening, mr bond. good evening, your majesty. sovereign and secret agent — one of the highlights of the opening night of the london olympics. music: happy birthday by the time of her 90th birthday in april 2016, she'd become the united kingdom's longest reigning monarch, its oldest, and — few would disagree — one of its most deeply respected.

it was rare for elizabeth to speak about her life as monarch. there were occasional insights, though — this from a bbc documentary. it's a question of maturing into something that one's got used to doing. and accepting the fact that here you are and it's your fate. she continued with her public duties well into her 905. there was further family turmoil, though. prince andrew was forced to withdraw from public life amid claims he'd sexually assaulted a 17—year—old — claims he denied. and the sussexes, harry and meghan, decided that they wanted to step back from royal life. they moved to california and gave a television interview in which meghan made damaging criticisms of the royal family. they were unsettling moments, presided over by a monarch who showed that her sense of commitment was undiminished. together, we are tackling this disease... during the coronavirus emergency of 2020, she broadcast a reassuring

message to the nation. we should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. we will be with our friends again. we will be with our families again. we will meet again. her words seemed to encapsulate her role as monarch — drawing on her own long experience to help settle the nation at a moment of difficulty. her resilience was evident again in april 2021, when her beloved husband philip died two months short of his 100th birthday. they'd been married for 73 years. at philip's funeral at st george's chapel within windsor castle, she seemed a solitary figure, pausing at one point to turn and look back. the figure who had been two paces behind herfor so many years was now absent. but despite the great sadness

of a loss, there was never any question of her withdrawing from the path of duty. she marked the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, a record no other monarch had achieved, in february 2022. by then, it was apparent that she was rather more frail physically than before, though mentally as sharp as ever. her doctors had advised her to take things a little easier — "light duties" was the expression used by the palace, but every day there were red boxes full of official papers to deal with. in a message to mark her 70 years on the throne, she said she was humbled by the loyalty and affection she'd received through out her reign. and she signed the statement, "your servant, elizabeth r." byjune 2022, at a public celebration of her platinum jubilee, her declining health limited

the events she could attend. there was, however, a delightful surprise. a pre—recorded appearance — a somewhat chaotic tea party with paddington bear. perhaps you would like a marmalade sandwich. i always keep one for emergencies. so doi! i keep mine in here. happy jubilee, ma'am. and thank you. for everything. that's very kind. this was a monarch at peace and enjoying herself. on the final day of thejubilee celebrations, there was a final appearance on the balcony of buckingham palace. the national anthem was sung,

a much—loved monarch acknowledged the many thousands who had waited to greet her. the crowds cheered and cheered. but finally it was time to go. the queen turned to depart from the balcony on which she had first been seen as a baby. there was an unspoken feeling that an era was drawing to a close. fanfare plays throughout her reign, elizabeth ii embodied the strengths of a constitutional monarch, a constant and reassuring presence at the centre of our national life. for decade after decade, she represented a changing kingdom to itself and to the world. above all, hers was a life guided by a christian faith and driven by a profound sense of duty, and by the pledge she made to the world on her 21st birthday.

i declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service, and to the service of our great imperialfamily to which we all belong. god help me to make good my vow, and god bless all of you who are willing to share in it. # god save our gracious queen # long live our noble queen # god save the queen # send her victorious # happy and glorious # long to reign over us

# god save the queen # thy choicest gifts in store # on her be pleased to pour # long may she reign # may she defend our laws # and ever give us cause # to sing with heart and voice # god save the queen. #

stirring music. buckingham palace has announced the death of her majesty queen elizabeth ii, the longest—reigning monarch in the history of the united kingdom, and the commanding presence in british public life, over a span of eight decades. she died at balmoral castle, in aberdeenshire, at the age of 96. the queen's eldest son, charles, at the age of 73, has become king charles iii. it was at 6:30 this evening that buckingham palace released this formal statement — "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". following the death of his mother, his majesty, king charles iii, released this statement — "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 queen had symbolised all that was constant and reassuring, and for the vast majority of people in britain and the commonwealth, a treasured

and highly—visible link with britain's past, has now gone. our royal correspondent daniella relph looks back on a momentous day. tuesday the 6th of september, the last photographs tuesday the 6th of september, the last photographs of tuesday the 6th of september, the last photographs of the queen, 96 years old, and still at work. meeting the new prime minister at balmoral, a duty she had been keen to fulfil and one we now know was her final duty. after seven decades of public service. that 4pm this afternoon, a number of the queen has met family arrived at aberdeen airport. her grandson the duke of cambridge was first to emerge followed by her daughter—in—law, sophie, the countess of wessex, and then her two youngest sons, edward the earl of wessex and andrew, the earl of wessex and andrew, the duke of york. the duke of cambridge drove the family group to balmoral tojoin his father and other members of the family already there with the

queen. harry, the duke of sussex, arrived severally late in the evening. here in the uk for a number of charity events, his wife meghan did not accompany him to scotland. at 6:30pm, buckingham palace officially announced the death officially announced the death of queen elizabeth ii. following tradition, the statement was attached to the palace gates by two footmen, as tributes began.— tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was the rock _ tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was the rock on _ tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was the rock on which - tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was the rock on which modernj ii was the rock on which modern britain was built. our country has grown and flourished under her reign. she was the very spirit of great britain, and that spirit will endure. she has been our longest ever reigning monarch. it is an extraordinary achievement to have presided with such dignity and grace for 70 years, and with the passing of the second elizabethan age, we usher in a new era in the magnificent history of our great country,

exactly as her majesty would have wished, by saying the words, god save the king. and also from the leader of the opposition. for and also from the leader of the opposition-— opposition. for the vast majority _ opposition. for the vast majority of _ opposition. for the vast majority of us, - opposition. for the vast majority of us, the i opposition. for the vast majority of us, the late | opposition. for the vast - majority of us, the late queen has been _ majority of us, the late queen has been simply the queen. the only queen. above all else, our queen — only queen. above all else, our queen as _ only queen. above all else, our queen. as we mourn her loss, we should _ queen. as we mourn her loss, we should also— queen. as we mourn her loss, we should also treasure her life. our— should also treasure her life. our longest serving and greatest ever monarch, above the clutches of politics, she stood — the clutches of politics, she stood not for what the nation fought — stood not for what the nation fought over but what it agreed upon — fought over but what it agreed u �*0n. ., ., fought over but what it agreed u on. ., ., ._ upon. throughout the day there had been growing _ upon. throughout the day there had been growing unease - upon. throughout the day there had been growing unease about the queen public health. in the commons, as keir starmer stood up commons, as keir starmer stood up to speak opposite him the prime minister was being told of the queen's condition. information passed to angela rayner, labor's petit leader, who left her seat for a while to discuss the development,

before the speak of the house addressed the chamber. i before the speak of the house addressed the chamber. i know i seak on addressed the chamber. i know i speak on behalf _ addressed the chamber. i know i speak on behalf of _ addressed the chamber. i know i speak on behalf of the _ addressed the chamber. i know i speak on behalf of the entire - speak on behalf of the entire house when i say that we send our best wishes to her majesty the queen, and that she and the royalfamily are in our thoughts and prayers at this moment. thoughts and prayers at this moment-— moment. cheering cheered _ moment. cheering cheered by - moment. cheering l cheered by onlookers, moment. cheering - cheered by onlookers, one of the queen's last royal engagements was injuly, with her daughter princess and, opening a new state—of—the—art hospice in berkshire. these kind of visits have become rare over the past year, as the queen relied on her walking stick, her mobility compromised. the royal household had tried to adapt, to keep active and visible. a golf buggy at chelsea flower show helped keep the queen comfortable. but she had become noticeably thinner and frailer, something that severely limited her involvement in her own platinum jubilee's celebrations, with herfamily celebrations, with her family increasingly celebrations, with herfamily increasingly representing her. cheering at the weekend, her son stood

in at the braemar highland games, always a favourite event for the queen, that she reluctantly missed. like so much of her life, the decline in health was played out in public to stop duty may have been harder to manage physically but mentally, even emotionally, the queen remained engaged and working to the very end. borisjohnson, the boris johnson, the former borisjohnson, the former prime minister, has paid tribute to the queen, calling her a bright and shining light that has finally gone out. the first ministers of wales and scotland have also paid their respects honouring her deep sense of duty. and her resilience. our political correspondent leila nathoo reflects on their words.

they were all examples to people about how to behave in their own lives, and examples for our country. her longest serving prime minister, sir tony blair, said... gordon brown took over the labour government in 2007. he reflected tonight on the impression the queen made around the world. everywhere i went, her majesty was respected, she was admired, she was revered, and we will miss her greatly. there is no monarch who has served so long, with such popularity and held in such high esteem, and dedicated

herself so much to the future of her country. david cameron returned the conservatives to power in 2010. he said of the queen... in 2016, the queen appointed theresa may as britain's second female prime minister. i was fortunate enough to be able to meet her in different circumstances, including in the weekly audiences, but also at balmoral. and saw a more relaxed queen. but i think we are all mourning the fact that somebody who was a constant in our lives has now passed away. it was just days ago

that the queen accepted the resignation of boris johnson as prime minister. tonight, he said... there was a sombre mood among politicians in westminster, and around the country. the queen was an ever—fixed mark in our lives. the world changed around us, politicians came and went but the queen was our nation's constant. the queen represented duty and courage, as well as warmth and compassion. the queen was a living reminder of our collective past, of our greatest generation, and the sacrifices made for our freedom today. scotland loved, respected and admired her. and by all accounts, her majesty was rarely happier than when she was here in scotland at her beloved balmoral, a fact i have been

privileged to observe personally. i hope it will be a source of comfort to her family that she spent her final days in a place she loved so much. on behalf of the welsh l government, and people in all parts of wales, _ i offer our deepest condolences to all her majesty's - children and their families on this sad occasion. she will be sorely missed i by the many organisations in wales she championed i and supported over so many decades, as patron or as president. i mps have been accustomed to the queen setting out government priorities in parliament. tomorrow, they will begin paying their tributes in the house of commons.

as we know, the queen was not only the monarch for the united kingdom, but she was also the head of state across 14 other commonwealth countries. so, how has the news, been received across the world? our diplomatic correspondent james landale, has been looking at the international response. from the moment the queen's reign began in kenya in 1952, she played a constant and significant role on the international stage, and today there was an outpouring of sorrow and regret in every corner of the globe. as her 12th canadian prime minister, i'm having trouble believing that my last sit down with her was my last. i will so miss those chats. she was thoughtful, wise, curious, helpful, funny

and so much more. she was one of my favourite people in the world, and i will miss her so. the president of france, emmanuel macron, said... "her majesty queen elizabeth embodied the continuity and unity of the british nation for over 70 years. i keep the memory of a friend of france, a queen of hearts, who marked her country and her century forever." the indian prime minister, narendra modi, said, "her majesty queen elizabeth will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. she provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people." and the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, said, "it is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of her majesty queen elizabeth. on behalf of the ukrainian people, we extend sincere condolences to the royal family, the entire united kingdom and the commonwealth over this irreparable loss. " the president of russia,

vladimir putin, who met the queen in more peaceful times, offered his condolences, saying she'd enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects and authority on the world stage. she was dubbed by one of her biographers as "queen of the world", visiting hundreds of countries throughout her reign. she was monarch of 15 separate realms, the head of a commonwealth of some of 56 nations. so there was no surprise that news of the queen's death made headlines around the world. tonight, at the white house, the flags were at half mast. throughout her reign, the queen was a living embodiment of the trans—atlantic relationship, meeting no fewer than 12 us presidents. in a statement, president biden described her as "a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy".

barack 0bama said she'd reigned with "grace, elegance and a tireless work ethic". views echoed on the streets of washington. i admire her greatly, yeah, i'm so sorry that she is past. she's an icon here, everywhere. horrible. i've been reading about her my whole life. she's one of the sane people in the uk, like the us, and it's just sad. as head of the commonwealth throughout her reign, the queen nurtured and shaped a unique international organisation, whose leaders past and present relied on her wisdom and judgement. the last days of the queen's life captures who she was in so many ways, working to the very end on behalf of the people she loved. and that is why i'm sure that we will receive the news of her passing with both emotions of deep sadness, but also gratitude for a life that was utterly and completely devoted to the service of others.

and it was to a meeting of commonwealth leaders that the queen made her last overseas tour in 2015, visiting malta, an island she'd once called home, the bookend of a life of duty and diplomacy on the international stage. james landale, bbc news. the family of commonwealth nations, that is how the queen soared. now to helen clark — the former prime minister of new zealand. a very important part of the commonwealth. how will they react? overwhelmingly, one of great sadness. the queen was very much respected in new zealand, she visited many times during her long reign and a

coronation, christmas, new year, 19 53,1954 and she kept coming. huge respect for her. and i think the sadness you see expressed in the united kingdom today will be mirrored here in new zealand where so many of us trace our roots back to the united kingdom as well. another prime minister, _ united kingdom as well. another prime minister, the _ united kingdom as well. another prime minister, the prime - prime minister, the prime minister of canada, justin trudeau said she was thoughtful, wise, curious, helpful. was she helpful to prime ministers of new zealand? do you have personal memories? i have a lot of personal memories of meeting with the queen. the last substantive meeting i had with her as pm was when i came to windsor castle where she hosted the most beautiful memorial service for sir edmund hillary, who was a knight of the garter and the garter is returned when someone

passes away. remember also that sir edmund hillary's ascent of everest happened when the queen was a very young queen. and this was also seen as a high point for the british commonwealth family and citizens of the commonwealth, that he had with his sherpa, tenzing norgate, and got to the top of everest. —— norgay. she top of everest. -- norgay. she had such _ top of everest. -- norgay. she had such a _ top of everest. -- norgay. she had such a deep _ top of everest. -- norgay. she had such a deep well— top of everest. —— norgay. she had such a deep well of experience because the rain spans such a large arc of history. did you find that useful, without prying into the conversations you had with the, was it that experience she was able to share that became helpful? able to share that became helful? ,, �* , , helpful? over the queen's very lona life, helpful? over the queen's very long life. she — helpful? over the queen's very long life, she met _ helpful? over the queen's very long life, she met leaders, - long life, she met leaders, personalities from around the world. you could raise with the queen only place on earth and

she had either been there or met the leader or knew something about it. i missed wasn'tjust something about it. i missed wasn't just an something about it. i missed wasn'tjust an issue of having official briefs, she had that lifetime of knowledge accumulated with watching the issues and being engaged with people and visiting places. she was like a walking encyclopaedia, if you like, people, places and events. you mentioned _ people, places and events. you mentioned the _ people, places and events. you mentioned the visit _ people, places and events. you mentioned the visit in 1953, it's extraordinary to think back, the united kingdom had just had a coronation for its queen and then she disappeared to the other side of the world for six months. i to the other side of the world forsix months. i mean, to the other side of the world for six months. i mean, these days we travel so freely, and we live in the age of the internet but back then, your queen disappearing to the other side of the world, and she stayed new zealand for almost month but if there was a high point in new zealand royalty, it must�*ve been that moment. and also at that time, there was a terrible tragedy on

christmas eve when the main express train from the capital, wellington to auckland, went into a river after a volcanic event had taken out a railway bridge in the queen was here for that, she was part of that national mourning for dozens and dozens of people who died in a terrible tragedy that people always remember her kindness at that time as well. talk to me about the period over the next week because we are heading now into a period of official morning. what will happen in new zealand, how will they mark the passing of the queen? this they mark the passing of the queen? �* , queen? as in the united kingdom. _ queen? as in the united kingdom, you _ queen? as in the united kingdom, you will - queen? as in the united kingdom, you will see i queen? as in the united. kingdom, you will see the queen? as in the united - kingdom, you will see the flags at half mast, throughout new zealand. it is expected that the prime minister will travel to the united kingdom for the funeral and that when she returns, there will be a full new zealand national service of

memorials i think for now, there will be tributes in parliament. i would think that parliament. i would think that parliament would probably do the tributes and adjourn at the point that it is next due to meet which would be next tuesday. then new zealand will be very focused on what is happening in the united kingdom and the period of mourning their leading up to the funeral and then at that time when the prime minister is back, we will have a special tributes here. it is going to be an enormous period of adjustment for all of us, for new zealand. her picture hangs in government offices. no doubt is it on some offices. no doubt is it on some of the stamps and coins in new zealand but now we have to get used to saying king charles iii. constitutionally, does it make any difference to new zealand? i make any difference to new zealand? ., �* ~' make any difference to new zealand? ., �* ~ zealand? i don't think so. in his capacity _ zealand? i don't think so. in his capacity as _ zealand? i don't think so. in his capacity as prince -

zealand? i don't think so. in his capacity as prince of - his capacity as prince of wales, the now king charles has been to new zealand number of times, i personally had the privilege of interacting with them a number of times. i have a great deal of respect for the king. it picked up issues like sustainability and climate change years before it was particularly fashionable as new zealand is very environmentally conscious. i think we will see in him someone who mirrors our values and areas. i think life will go on here. there is some point no doubt, as in barbados and elsewhere, the debate will revive about new zealand's constitutional status as a monarchy but that is not for now. , , ., . monarchy but that is not for now. �* , ., ., , , monarchy but that is not for now. , ., ., ,, now. just on that issue, so often in — now. just on that issue, so often in public _ now. just on that issue, so often in public life, - now. just on that issue, so often in public life, the - often in public life, the nation becomes the person and at some point, the strings are broken and that is upsetting and destabilising for all of us. the deep ties between our two countries, does that flows solely through the queen or do

you think it stretches much further than that, is that the legacy she leaves? i further than that, is that the legacy she leaves?— further than that, is that the legacy she leaves? i think it's art of legacy she leaves? i think it's part of the — legacy she leaves? i think it's part of the package _ legacy she leaves? i think it's part of the package of - legacy she leaves? i think it's part of the package of the - part of the package of the legacy. so many of us in new zealand have our forebears from the united kingdoms. all my fair bears —— forebears came from the united kingdom in the mid 19th century onwards. there is that affinity and family connection. with that goes an affinity with the institutions of the united kingdom, which includes the monarchy and the legacy of westminster style democracy, the nature of the court system and so much else. so in many ways, we remain tired, even while new zealand stands as a proud, independent country today. stands as a proud, independent country today-— country today. helen clark, thank you _ country today. helen clark, thank you very _ country today. helen clark, thank you very much - country today. helen clark, thank you very much for . country today. helen clark, i thank you very much for your thoughts and reflections, it's good to talk to you. it's just after lunchtime there are new

zealand, it is 1:25am here in london. there are still many people gathered outside buckingham palace in london. let us speak to kasia madera, and you can see the start of the tributes being paid. you mentioned the weather, it is just starting to rain once again. it's been pouring earlier on today but it's not stop people from coming. you want to be here to be together, to pay their respects and also to pay their respects and also to mark this historic moment and as you rightly say, the flowers are already bidding to be pinned to the gates of buckingham palace so if you come with me to see the candles that have been set up, people coming from all over the world, wanting to pay their respects.

earlier on there are a couple of thousand of people here milling around, wanting to have a moment to reflect about what is happening but like i say, the crowds are diminishing a little bit. we are fewer and fewer people but people still come from all over the world in fact. this is mark. you are originally from south africa but you're a national citizen. and you are here now. why? just on holiday. _ and you are here now. why? inst on holiday, actually. and you are here now. why? just on holiday, actually. in _ and you are here now. why? just on holiday, actually. in terms. i on holiday, actually. in terms. buckingham — on holiday, actually. in terms. buckingham palace, _ on holiday, actually. in terms. buckingham palace, why - on holiday, actually. in terms. buckingham palace, why did i on holiday, actually. in terms. l buckingham palace, why did you want be here? i guess i was fortunate enough to be here when diana passed away and to be in london at the time of her funeral and when all that happened and i remember it being a very moving and emotional event. i suppose the queen for us as the head of our state and our country and i feel one needs to come and pay your respects, to living

history, being here right now, and being able to be part of all of this. and to share in the sadness, and it is a very sad occasion.— the sadness, and it is a very sad occasion. there are a lot of people — sad occasion. there are a lot of people who _ sad occasion. there are a lot of people who want - sad occasion. there are a lot of people who want to - sad occasion. there are a lot of people who want to get i of people who want to get there... b. of people who want to get there- - -— of people who want to get there... �* , , ., , there... a sense of community. it always _ there... a sense of community. it always amazes _ there... a sense of community. it always amazes me _ there. .. a sense of community. it always amazes me how- it always amazes me how something like this brings people together, notjust in england but all around the world. ., , ., , world. there are people waiting. _ world. there are people waiting, lots _ world. there are people waiting, lots of- world. there are people waiting, lots of people | world. there are people - waiting, lots of people around. if you take a look. this gentleman has come on a mobility scooter. there are people everywhere who want to just be in one place together. thank you very much for that. like i say, the numbers of people has reduced. earlier on, they had just come from function if they want to be here, a whole host of them, a black—tie event, i believe it was. black-tie event, i believe it was. ~ . black-tie event, i believe it was. ., ., , ,

was. we are only ten minutes awa , was. we are only ten minutes away. we _ was. we are only ten minutes away, we bought _ was. we are only ten minutes away, we bought we - was. we are only ten minutes away, we bought we should i was. we are only ten minutes i away, we bought we should walk down and see what is happening here. ~ , ., down and see what is happening here. ~ ., ., down and see what is happening here. ., ., here. when you say want to pay our here. when you say want to pay your respects. _ here. when you say want to pay your respects, we _ here. when you say want to pay your respects, we are _ here. when you say want to pay your respects, we are seeing i your respects, we are seeing fewer people but it's still surprising. there are still many, many people that want to be here together. i many, many people that want to be here together.— be here together. i think so, eah. be here together. i think so, yeah- it's — be here together. i think so, yeah- it's a _ be here together. i think so, yeah. it's a moment - be here together. i think so, yeah. it's a moment in - be here together. i think so, yeah. it's a moment in time| yeah. it's a moment in time that we are not going to see for a long time and it's perfect, it's a good opportunity for people to come together and pay their respects. together and pay their respects-— together and pay their resects. ., . ., respects. collective sorrow, sorrow of — respects. collective sorrow, sorrow of a _ respects. collective sorrow, sorrow of a nation - respects. collective sorrow, sorrow of a nation ansaru . respects. collective sorrow, | sorrow of a nation ansaru of the — sorrow of a nation ansaru of the people coming together and deals— the people coming together and deals like a surreal experience being — deals like a surreal experience being here but we were drawn to it. �* , ., ., , it. and your night was finishing _ it. and your night was finishing because - it. and your night was finishing because you| it. and your night was - finishing because you have the bowties here but in terms of just reflecting on the legacy of her majesty,... we just reflecting on the legacy of her majesty, . .. of her ma'esty,... we thought we were of her majesty,... we thought we were so — of her majesty,... we thought we were so close _ of her majesty,... we thought we were so close by _ of her majesty,... we thought we were so close by that - of her majesty,... we thought we were so close by that we i we were so close by that we should come and pay our respects and just be part of

the emotion of the evening. earlier on we were hearing people spontaneously singing god save the king. how does that make you feel?— that make you feel? it's a bit of a strange _ that make you feel? it's a bit of a strange feeling - that make you feel? it's a bit of a strange feeling because | of a strange feeling because you've grown up with queen and the king does not feel like a matt mica natural thing for us is a british person but it's something you need to transition to. it's something that we will move on with and it's a sad day but something we will move on to and singing god save the queen, it's so natural to say that, god save the king, it will be such an adjustment for so many people.- for so many people. such an adjustment _ for so many people. such an adjustment and _ for so many people. such an adjustment and just - for so many people. such an adjustment and just wanting i for so many people. such an i adjustment and just wanting to be here. thank you very much for your thoughts and we will let you get onto the end of your evening now. we are seeing this time and time again, people who want to be at buckingham palace, where they can come and reflect and put up flowers on the flag, the flag

is flying at half mast at the moment and of course, the notice is up further on the gates. making the announcement of the passing of her majesty. like i say, people are still coming, though milling of, wanting to pay their respects. it's expected the lines stayed state for a number of days. the funeral date will be announced by buckingham palace but at the moment this is a gathering of people who just want to be together and have that moment because this is a huge time of change you do sense the buckingham palace along with windsor is going to become the focal point for the grief and reflection of the nation will go through over the next few days and no doubt those flowers behind you are going to become much more plentiful over the coming week. thank you very much indeed. —

nice to hear people from australia down there at the moment. we can now speak to juliet rieden who's royal correspondent for the australian broadcasting corporation, editor—at—large at the australian women's weekly and author of the book, the royals in australia. shejoins us from she joins us from brisbane. thank you for being with us. we were just talking to the former prime minister helen clark of new zealand, about the visit to the queen paid in 1953 out of course a large part of that trip was her visit to australia. tell us all about it. , , it. yes, well, this was the queen's _ it. yes, well, this was the queen's inaugural - it. yes, well, this was the queen's inaugural visit, i it. yes, well, this was the i queen's inaugural visit, she made 16 visits to australia, this was the first one, also the first ever visit reigning monarch. so it was very important. of course, she had been en route to australia when her father died, been en route to australia when herfather died, when been en route to australia when her father died, when she was princess elizabeth. so the fact that pretty much as soon as she was correlated she then renewed that trip to australia was very

important to australians, and 70% of the population turned out to see her. there was an absolutely mammoth trip. she was here for six weeks, she went to loads and loads of country towns, as well as cities. when the ss gothic sailed into sydney how about there were more than a million people lining the streets of sydney. it was an absolutely massive turnout. i think there are many people now who were children at that time and they remember that for, more than any other tour. it really sticks in the memory. children were very much part of the tour, a very special part of the tour. there were lots of organised displays by children took part and of course some of the very lucky once would have handed posies to her majesty. so it really was, that cemented australia's love affair with

the queen.— australia's love affair with the queen. �* . ., the queen. and the fact, julia, but she went _ the queen. and the fact, julia, but she went to _ the queen. and the fact, julia, but she went to the _ the queen. and the fact, julia, but she went to the more - the queen. and the fact, julia, i but she went to the more remote parts of australia, did that bring her into contact with the indigenous population as well, and how to platform her opinions of the indigenous community in australia? —— how did that inform her opinions? the queen did connect with the indigenous community there and on every tour, she made sure there was always meeting indigenous elders, indigenous families. that did forge this rather wonderful bond with the indigenous elders here, i think they felt they could connect with the royal family and especially the queen in a way they perhaps were not connecting with the politicians of the day. many of those indigenous elders were invited to buckingham palace for special audiences with the

queen. there was this sense that the monarch was listening to them. i think listening was one of the great strengths. talk to me about the reaction in australia, the news came in the very early hours of the morning, how have people been reacting to it today?— reacting to it today? deep, deep sadness, _ reacting to it today? deep, deep sadness, and - reacting to it today? deep, deep sadness, and shock, | deep sadness, and shock, actually. it sounds weird to say that we should be shocked that a 96—year—old, who we knew was having some, but my

colleague was here talk about the queen. think that will go on throughout the week. thank ou for on throughout the week. thank you forjoining _ on throughout the week. thank you forjoining us _ on throughout the week. thank you forjoining us is _ on throughout the week. thank you forjoining us is julie - you forjoining us isjulie just said, news of the queen �*s death dominated missions all over the world. it was here in central kenya that then princess elizabeth became queen. she was on tour, representing her ailing father when she received the news that he had sadly passed away, and it was a different time in

history. country after country on the continent were gaining independence, and even though they chose republicanism, they understood hereditary monarchy, and therefore, wherever she travelled on the continent, they understood her place, they respected her, and she played a key role in bringing them into the commonwealth. as head of commonwealth, she kept the organisation together and grew it. to this day, it continues to expand, and messages of condolence have been coming in from across the continent, from leaders, including monarchs, and they recognise and deeply admire her service to the commonwealth and to the world. the flag is flying at half—staff here at the white house _ half—staff here at the white house in honour of the rain that— house in honour of the rain that has— house in honour of the rain that has seen the swearing in of 13— that has seen the swearing in of 13 us — that has seen the swearing in of 13 us presidents. the queen met 12 — of13 us presidents. the queen met 12 of— of 13 us presidents. the queen met 12 of them personally at the last— met 12 of them personally at the last that long line, joe biden, _ the last that long line, joe biden, has issued a statement, saying — biden, has issued a statement, saying in— biden, has issued a statement, saying in his meetings with her

he was — saying in his meetings with her he was charmed, he and the first— he was charmed, he and the first lady. _ he was charmed, he and the first lady, by her wit and moved _ first lady, by her wit and moved them with her kindness. in recent — moved them with her kindness. in recent years of course, like elsewhere _ in recent years of course, like elsewhere in the world, news coverage _ elsewhere in the world, news coverage of the british monarchy has often been driven by intrigue and scandal, but today. — by intrigue and scandal, but today, as _ by intrigue and scandal, but today, as the major networks roll on — today, as the major networks roll on the events in balmoral, there _ roll on the events in balmoral, there is— roll on the events in balmoral, there is a — roll on the events in balmoral, there is a real sense of the moment— there is a real sense of the moment in history. the last king — moment in history. the last king of— moment in history. the last king of america was queen elizabeth ii's rate great—great—grandfather, and her time _ great—great—grandfather, and her time on the throne has been marked — her time on the throne has been marked by— her time on the throne has been marked by an even further shift, _ marked by an even further shift, away from those colonial ties, _ shift, away from those colonial ties, and — shift, away from those colonial ties, and towards a relationship of two independent, modern nations, defined — independent, modern nations, defined by their shared democratic values. , ., democratic values. news of the queen 's death _ democratic values. news of the queen 's death is _ democratic values. news of the queen 's death is dominating i queen 's death is dominating headtines— queen 's death is dominating headlines here _ queen 's death is dominating headlines here in _ queen 's death is dominating headlines here in india. - queen 's death is dominatingl headlines here in india. prime minister— headlines here in india. prime minister narendra _ headlines here in india. prime minister narendra modi - headlines here in india. prime minister narendra modi put i headlines here in india. prime. minister narendra modi put out a statement, _ minister narendra modi put out a statement, saying, _ minister narendra modi put out a statement, saying, her- a statement, saying, her majesty— a statement, saying, her majesty queen _ a statement, saying, her majesty queen elizabeth| a statement, saying, her. majesty queen elizabeth ii a statement, saying, her- majesty queen elizabeth ii will be remembered _ majesty queen elizabeth ii will be remembered as— majesty queen elizabeth ii will be remembered as a _ majesty queen elizabeth ii will be remembered as a store i majesty queen elizabeth ii willi be remembered as a store wart of our— be remembered as a store wart of our times _ be remembered as a store wart of our times. she _ be remembered as a store wart of our times. she provided i of ourtimes. she provided inspiring _ of ourtimes. she provided inspiring leadership- of ourtimes. she provided inspiring leadership to i of ourtimes. she provided inspiring leadership to her| inspiring leadership to her nation _ inspiring leadership to her nation and _ inspiring leadership to her nation and people, - inspiring leadership to her nation and people, she i nation and people, she personified dignity- nation and people, she personified dignity and | nation and people, she - personified dignity and decency in public— personified dignity and decency

in public life _ personified dignity and decency in public life. penned _ personified dignity and decency in public life. penned by- personified dignity and decency in public life. penned by her. in public life. penned by her demise, _ in public life. penned by her demise, my— in public life. penned by her demise, my thoughts - in public life. penned by her demise, my thoughts are i in public life. penned by her. demise, my thoughts are with her family— demise, my thoughts are with herfamilyand_ demise, my thoughts are with her family and people - demise, my thoughts are with her family and people of - demise, my thoughts are with her family and people of the i demise, my thoughts are with i her family and people of the uk in this— her family and people of the uk in this sad — her family and people of the uk in this sad hour. _ her family and people of the uk in this sad hour. the _ her family and people of the uk in this sad hour. the prime i in this sad hour. the prime minister— in this sad hour. the prime ministerthen_ in this sad hour. the prime minister then follows - in this sad hour. the prime minister then follows it i in this sad hour. the prime minister then follows it upl minister then follows it up with— minister then follows it up with another— minister then follows it up with another tweet, - minister then follows it up with another tweet, in i minister then follows it up i with another tweet, in which he shares — with another tweet, in which he shares two _ with another tweet, in which he shares two photographs - with another tweet, in which he shares two photographs of i shares two photographs of himself— shares two photographs of himself in— shares two photographs of himself in the _ shares two photographs of himself in the queen - shares two photographs of. himself in the queen during shares two photographs of i himself in the queen during his previous— himself in the queen during his previous visits _ himself in the queen during his previous visits to _ himself in the queen during his previous visits to the _ himself in the queen during his previous visits to the uk, - previous visits to the uk, sharing _ previous visits to the uk, sharing a _ previous visits to the uk, sharing a personal- previous visits to the uk, i sharing a personal anecdote previous visits to the uk, - sharing a personal anecdote as welt _ sharing a personal anecdote as welt the — sharing a personal anecdote as well. the queen _ sharing a personal anecdote as well. the queen shared - sharing a personal anecdote as well. the queen shared a i well. the queen shared a special— well. the queen shared a special relationship - well. the queen shared a special relationship with i special relationship with india _ special relationship with india she _ special relationship with india. she visited - special relationship with india. she visited the i special relationship with i india. she visited the country three — india. she visited the country three times _ india. she visited the country three times during _ india. she visited the country three times during her- india. she visited the country three times during her reign, the first— three times during her reign, the first visit _ three times during her reign, the first visit in _ three times during her reign, the first visit in 1961, - three times during her reign, the first visit in 1961, 15- the first visit in 1961, 15 years— the first visit in 1961, 15 years after— the first visit in 1961, 15 years after india's i years after india's independence. i years after india'si independence. the years after india's - independence. the needs years after india's _ independence. the needs of the queen— independence. the needs of the queen s— independence. the needs of the queen 's demise _ independence. the needs of the queen 's demise will— independence. the needs of the queen 's demise will be - queen 's demise will be dominating _ queen 's demise will be dominating headlines i queen 's demise will be | dominating headlines as queen 's demise will be - dominating headlines as india wakes— dominating headlines as india wakes up _ dominating headlines as india wakes up the _ dominating headlines as india wakes up— dominating headlines as india wakesu.~ ., , , wakes up. we have 'ust seen the flats on wakes up. we have 'ust seen the flags on the h wakes up. we have 'ust seen the flags on the sydney]— wakes up. we have just seen the flags on the sydney harbour i flags on the sydney harbour bridge being lowered to half—mast as a mark of respect. australians are waking up to the news that queen elizabeth ii has died. she had a deep affection for this country. she came here 16 times during her reign. the first visit came in 1954. it was a marathon. she visited 57 towns and cities in

58 days, and for many people here, she became a beacon of service and dedication. across the tasman sea in new zealand, the tasman sea in new zealand, the prime ministerjacinda ardern has paid tribute to an incredible woman, saying that new zealanders were lucky to have been able to call her their queen. these are sentiments echoed notjust here in australia, but across the commonwealth.— in australia, but across the commonwealth. here at the european — commonwealth. here at the european commission, i commonwealth. here at the european commission, as i commonwealth. here at the | european commission, as the european _ european commission, as the european parliament, flags are flying _ european parliament, flags are flying at— european parliament, flags are flying at half—mast, where over in paris. — flying at half—mast, where over in paris, the eiffel tower has been — in paris, the eiffel tower has been plunged into darkness as a si-n been plunged into darkness as a sign of— been plunged into darkness as a sign of respect. it is hard to overstate _ sign of respect. it is hard to overstate the respect and the admiration so many europeans have _ admiration so many europeans have the — admiration so many europeans have the queen, and if you look at news — have the queen, and if you look at news websites across the continent, news of her death is on the — continent, news of her death is on the front page. norway's public— on the front page. norway's public broadcaster even suspended normal programming 'ust suspended normal programming just to _ suspended normal programming just to run specials on the queen, _ just to run specials on the queen, and of course we have

heard — queen, and of course we have heard from leaders and heads of state _ heard from leaders and heads of state as— heard from leaders and heads of state as well. germany's president said she was a woman who shaped a century, while france's _ who shaped a century, while france's emmanuel macron said she was— france's emmanuel macron said she was a — france's emmanuel macron said she was a kind—hearted queen, who lett— she was a kind—hearted queen, who left a — she was a kind—hearted queen, who left a lasting impression. previously, he described her as the golden thread binding the uk and — the golden thread binding the uk and france since world war ii. uk and france since world war it and — uk and france since world war ii. and three years of public service _ ii. and three years of public service and family ties, the queen— service and family ties, the queen had close relationships with europe's royal families as well, _ with europe's royal families as well, and — with europe's royal families as well, and they have been touching, and usually personal messages tonight. spain's king felipe — messages tonight. spain's king felipe used to address her as there — felipe used to address her as there aunt lilibet, and said he would — there aunt lilibet, and said he would miss her dearly. here in belgium. — would miss her dearly. here in belgium, the king and queen said — belgium, the king and queen said all— belgium, the king and queen said all of their encounters woutd _ said all of their encounters would now be etched on their memories forever. rest in peace, _ memories forever. rest in peace, your majesty, they said, alongside — peace, your majesty, they said, alongside your beloved husband. worth reflecting that of course both the queen and the duke of

edinburgh were connected to queen victoria, and therefore connected to all the european royal families, connected to all the european royalfamilies, so of connected to all the european royal families, so of course there is a period of reflection in europe at the moment and an historic connection in many of those reflections as well. mark noble is here with us. —— mark lobel noble is here with us. —— mark lobel. talk to me about european newspapers because they just european newspapers because theyjust dropping. the european newspapers because they just dropping.— they 'ust dropping. the queen was theyjust dropping. the queen was an icon — theyjust dropping. the queen was an icon on _ theyjust dropping. the queen was an icon on the _ theyjust dropping. the queen was an icon on the global- theyjust dropping. the queen l was an icon on the global stage as we have been hearing, if we look at the figaro, this one a french newspaper, but others which we will show you now from the middle east, and on websites all around the world, this story dominating the news, and the prominence it has given to the queen, reflective of the value that she had in their hearts. if we look at the uk newspapers, there are two photos that really dominate, but the style of the papers, black—and—white mastheads, they have taken away the colour, it is a respectful tone, it is often touching. if i show you

the express, our beloved queen is dead. they'd used a portrait released by the royalfamily is dead. they'd used a portrait released by the royal family at the time of death, we also find that in the telegraph, which choose the words, grief is the price we pay for love. we see the telegraph, they are reflecting this theme of a nation in mourning and using her words following the 9—11 attacks in new york. there is the telegraph, that same portrait. also if we go to the times where they just portrait. also if we go to the times where theyjust splash with, death of the queen. i times where they just splash with, death of the queen. i was 'ust with, death of the queen. i was just going _ with, death of the queen. i was just going to — with, death of the queen. i was just going to say. _ with, death of the queen. i was just going to say, sorry - with, death of the queen. i was just going to say, sorry to - just going to say, sorry to interrupt you, i mean, the death was announced at 6:30pm in the evening here in london, so that gave the paper is plenty of time. the entirety of the newspapers, it is full of history, it is full of the photographs, the reminiscing, and also a lot of talk about the character of the queen. that's right. the character is

shown in many of the newspapers, the mirror is saying thank you to the queen, sun says we loved you. i was setting up a bar in buckingham palace once, there was a star party, and i could see this granny in a cardigan coming, andl granny in a cardigan coming, and i saw it was the queen and her corgis. she fastidiously went through the tables, checking the place settings, this is the woman that you crouch around the tv at christmas to hear her message, that then has an audience with the prime minister is, and the resilience of this woman. you know, she had family troubles, who doesn't? she had mobility issues, and yet kept it going right to the end, until she was 96. she is going to be a tough act to follow for king charles iii. , , ., ., iii. yes, she had a fastidious e e, i iii. yes, she had a fastidious eye, i remember— iii. yes, she had a fastidious eye, i remember watching . iii. yes, she had a fastidious eye, i remember watching a | iii. yes, she had a fastidious - eye, i remember watching a bbc documentary, on occasions, on state dinners, she would go

down the table checking the cutlery was on the right place, and making her alterations to make sure everything was just so. that was the nature of the queen, and yet i was saying earlier, although there was a protocol, she was very good at putting people at ease. she had a natural charm. _ putting people at ease. she had a natural charm. everyone - putting people at ease. she had a natural charm. everyone talksj a natural charm. everyone talks about her stillness at a world in flux, she about her stillness at a world influx, she was charming, polite, but also she would send messages, dressing up in the ukrainian colours when the war began, so she had way of getting her message across. inscrutable, but not always. thank you very much indeed. the queen chose to spend the majority of her later years at windsor castle instead of her official residence in buckingham palace. fergal keane has been gauging reaction from in windsor. the signal of an ending, in a play close to her

heart. and in whose heart she was beloved. we havejust heart. and in whose heart she was beloved. we have just heard the news. what are you hearing? they're well, it has just hit me, and it has, and i think it will hit everybody in this town. as the news filtered out across the town, there was in gathering together to absorb, to reflect. it's very sad. i think everyone has just come to pay their respects because she is such an amazing woman. just a very sombre mood in windsor, really. what did she represent to people of your generation? a guiding light, a moral code, how to conduct yourself, how to act, what is right and wrong. here on the streets of royal windsor, the sense

of a an epoch having passed is palpable. there is a sense of morning, shared with the entire nation. but something else. for these people have lost a neighbour, a queen who was part of their daily lives. amir bukhari was getting calls from relatives in pakistan who had heard the news. he runs a cafe besides windsor castle. no words to express my emotions. it is really sad. what did she mean to you? not only me but everyone in the world. everybody feels very sad, very down. for us, she was a neighbour. no matter how long anticipated, the end has crystallised loss. the passing of a monarch who symbolised to people the best of their nation, of themselves. fergal keane, bbc news, windsor.

throughout her life, the queen was guided by her longley held religious beliefs. irate was guided by her longley held religious beliefs.— religious beliefs. we look at that art religious beliefs. we look at that part of _ religious beliefs. we look at that part of her _ religious beliefs. we look at that part of her life. - faith was about much more than the queen's roll in a constitutional britain. it was how she lives her life. the act which began _ how she lives her life. the act which began with _ how she lives her life. the act which began with the - how she lives her life. the act i which began with the invocation of the holy spirit. and this is a most sacred part of the service, or it is the queen's hallowing. bi service, or it is the queen's hallowing— service, or it is the queen's hallowing. at her coronation, itself a ceremony _ hallowing. at her coronation, itself a ceremony steeped - hallowing. at her coronation, itself a ceremony steeped in | itself a ceremony steeped in religious significance, the queen promised to uphold both the laws of the nation and the protestant religion. she embraced being defender of the faith in a way that showed it was much more thanjust faith in a way that showed it was much more than just an inherited title to her. for our inherited title to her. for

your servant _ inherited title to her. for your servant would - inherited title to her. fr?" your servant would is the glory of your rain. and today, we thank god for it.— of your rain. and today, we thank god for it. she was also a vital ambassador _ thank god for it. she was also a vital ambassador for - thank god for it. she was also a vital ambassador for the - a vital ambassador for the anglican church abroad and she met five popes, quite the turnaround for a monarchy that once split so spectacularly from rome. at home, she left governance to the bishops but as an eveready listener and guide to them. i as an eveready listener and guide to them.— as an eveready listener and guide to them. i know if i got into trouble, _ guide to them. i know if i got into trouble, the _ guide to them. i know if i got into trouble, the queen - guide to them. i know if i got | into trouble, the queen would sit down. she asked us, performing in different contexts, spanning over 70 years. really, you couldn't have done that, it seems to me, if our relationship withjesus christ was not a joyful one.

and every year, in christmas broadcasts, there were insights into the way the queen's faith guided her. for into the way the queen's faith guided her-— into the way the queen's faith guided her. for me, the life of jesus guided her. for me, the life of jesus christ. — guided her. for me, the life of jesus christ, the _ guided her. for me, the life of jesus christ, the prince - guided her. for me, the life of jesus christ, the prince of - jesus christ, the prince of peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchorin today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. i roll model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. christ's example has told me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith. and value all people of whateverfaith. ih and value all people of whatever faith. in recent decades. _ whatever faith. in recent decades, she _ whatever faith. in recent decades, she visited - whatever faith. in recent - decades, she visited temples, synagogues, and mosques, as the nation grew in diversity. she said anglicanism had a duty to protect the free practice of other religions as well. she doesnt other religions as well. she doesn't act _ other religions as well. she doesn't act like _ other religions as well. she doesn't act like a _ other religions as well. sue: doesn't act like a politician, she has genuine care, genuine interest and wants the best,

certainly for our faith and for all faiths. mi certainly for our faith and for all faiths-— all faiths. all guided by her own faith- _ all faiths. all guided by her own faith. the _ all faiths. all guided by her own faith. the head - all faiths. all guided by her own faith. the head of - all faiths. all guided by her own faith. the head of the | own faith. the head of the catholic church in england and wales remembers a national service at st paul's cathedral. at a certain point in the ceremony, we were all asked to recite a long prayer which was printed out in the order of service. and i looked at it in the queen had her eyes shut and she was reciting this prayer by heart. and i thought, there is a woman who prays, who probably praise every day, at least that's what i saw before my eyes. when they gathered for her platinum jubilee at saint pauls to give thanks for the queen's rain, for her service and have faith, they commemorated the way she guided the church in a fast evolving world and her commitment to bring all people together.

a life of service and duty underpinned by herfaith. we now look back at the queen's long life. no british monarch lived longer. no—one brought such dedication to the roll. she was the elder daughter of the then duke of york. no—one could have imagined then that she would one day be queen. but when she was ten years old, our uncle, king edward viii, abandoned the throne and a father became king george vi. god save the king! german bombers rain fire and high— german bombers rain fire and high explosive bombs.-

high explosive bombs. during the second — high explosive bombs. during the second world _ high explosive bombs. during the second world war, - high explosive bombs. during the second world war, as - high explosive bombs. during - the second world war, as german bombs fell on britain, the royal family, princess as she was then, younger sister margaret and parents, the king and queen, came to symbolise the nation's fight against tyranny. elizabeth briefly joined up, she was taught how to drive and service and army lorry. 0n the night britain celebrated victory in europe, the crowds gathered outside buckingham palace and elizabeth joined herfamily on buckingham palace and elizabeth joined her family on the palace balcony. ih joined her family on the palace balcon. . _., joined her family on the palace balcon . . _., ., balcony. in anybody's life, and engagement— balcony. in anybody's life, and engagement day _ balcony. in anybody's life, and engagement day is _ balcony. in anybody's life, and engagement day is a - balcony. in anybody's life, and engagement day is a red - balcony. in anybody's life, and| engagement day is a red letter day. br; engagement day is a red letter da . �* , ., engagement day is a red letter da . j ., , engagement day is a red letter da. ., , day. by now she was a young woman and _ day. by now she was a young woman and she _ day. by now she was a young woman and she had - day. by now she was a young woman and she had fallen i day. by now she was a young woman and she had fallen in| woman and she had fallen in love. her engagement to the tenant philip mountbatten was announced in i9li7. —— lieutenant. four months later they were married in westminster abbey. a year later, theirfirst westminster abbey. a year later, their first child, charles, was born. two years after that, a daughter,. but the king was in poor health. he been treated for lung cancer.

when elizabeth left for a visit to east africa in fabry 1952, it was be the last time she would see him. at the moment of herfather�*s would see him. at the moment of her father's death from a heart attack, elizabeth was in a game park in canyon. she returned to london as queen. ih park in canyon. she returned to london as queen. in a park in canyon. she returned to london as queen.— london as queen. in a way, i didn't have — london as queen. in a way, i didn't have an _ london as queen. in a way, i | didn't have an apprenticeship. my didn't have an apprenticeship. my father died much too young. my father died much too young, and so it was all a very sudden kind of taking—on, and making the best job you can. britain was stunned at the loss of its wartime king. his coffin was brought by train from sandringham to london. elizabeth was there to receive it with her mother and sister. archive: the moment of the queen's crowning is come.

elizabeth was sovereign and head of state notjust of the united kingdom, but of britain's realms and territories in every continent. the young queen was a star on the world stage, and her popularity was never greater. it's estimated that, in australia, three—quarters of the country's entire population turned out to see her in person. the monarchy was seen by some to be stuffy and out of touch. by the late '60s, the palace realised that it needed to take the initiative. the result was a ground—breaking documentary. the film, royal family, showed the monarchy as it had never been seen before.

elizabeth was shown performing the daily business of the sovereign... yes, ma'am? with this ring... ..i thee wed. for the queen and herfamily, the 1980s had begun with a moment of great promise. prince charles�*s wedding injuly 1981 to the young lady diana spencer the couple's separation was announced in 1992. it followed the collapse of the marriages of princess anne and prince andrew. windsor castle, destroyed by fire. in august 1997, diana princess of wales—

in august 1997, diana princess of wales was killed in a car crash _ of wales was killed in a car crash. ,, ., crash. the queen remained in scotland to — crash. the queen remained in scotland to care _ crash. the queen remained in scotland to care for _ crash. the queen remained in scotland to care for william i scotland to care for william and harry but to grieving crowds, it seemed as though the royal family didn't care. the queen returned to london and in a live broadcast, she tried to heal the breach.— a live broadcast, she tried to heal the breach. what i say to ou now heal the breach. what i say to you now as — heal the breach. what i say to you now as your _ heal the breach. what i say to you now as your queen - heal the breach. what i say to you now as your queen and i heal the breach. what i say to| you now as your queen and as heal the breach. what i say to i you now as your queen and as a grandmother, i say from my heart stop first, i want to pay tribute to diana myself. the commonwealth _ tribute to diana myself. the commonwealth was - tribute to diana myself. the commonwealth was a - tribute to diana myself. the commonwealth was a cause close to her heart. she visited most of its members but it was a visit to dublin in 2011 which was one of the most significant of the rain, the first british monarch to visit the republic of ireland. she spoke about regions regrets. ltulle of ireland. she spoke about regions regrets.— of ireland. she spoke about regions regrets. we can all see thins regions regrets. we can all see things that _ regions regrets. we can all see things that we _ regions regrets. we can all see things that we wish _ regions regrets. we can all see things that we wish would - regions regrets. we can all see things that we wish would have been done differently. 0r things that we wish would have been done differently. or not at all. ., ., , ., at all. the following year in belfast, she _ at all. the following year in belfast, she met _ at all. the following year in belfast, she met and - at all. the following year in | belfast, she met and shook hands with martin mcguinness, a former leader of the ira. it

was deputy first minister of northern ireland. another significant gesture of reconciliation. the diamond jubilee of 2012 confirmed the nation's deep respect monarch who reigned for 60 years. it was also a year when the queen showed that she could spring a surprise. showed that she could spring a surrise. ,., ., ~ surprise. good evening, mr bond. good _ surprise. good evening, mr bond. good evening. - surprise. good evening, mr- bond. good evening. sovereign and secret— bond. good evening. sovereign and secret agent, _ bond. good evening. sovereign and secret agent, one - bond. good evening. sovereign and secret agent, one of- bond. good evening. sovereign and secret agent, one of the i and secret agent, one of the highlights of the opening night of the london olympics. that's for me? she continued with her public duties well into the 90s. public duties well into the 905. it public duties well into the 90s. it was further family turmoil. prince andrew was forced to withdraw from public life of a claim since sexually assaulted a 17—year—old, claims he denied. and then the

sussexes, harry and megan, decided they want to remove themselves from wildlife. they did a television interview where damaging criticisms were made by meghan of the royal family. they were unsettling moments, but the monarch showed that her commitment was undiminished.— that her commitment was undiminished. ., . undiminished. together we are tacklinu undiminished. together we are tackling this — undiminished. together we are tackling this disease. _ undiminished. together we are tackling this disease. during i tackling this disease. during the kimono _ tackling this disease. during the kimono virus _ tackling this disease. during the kimono virus emergency tackling this disease. during i the kimono virus emergency of 2020, she addressed the nation. —— coronavirus. 2020, she addressed the nation. -- coronavirus.— -- coronavirus. better days will return. _ -- coronavirus. better days will return. we _ -- coronavirus. better days will return. we will - -- coronavirus. better days will return. we will be - -- coronavirus. better days will return. we will be with | will return. we will be with our frames will return. we will be with ourframes again, we will return. we will be with our frames again, we will be with ourfamilies again. we will meet again. with our families again. we will meet again.— with our families again. we will meet again. the death in a - ril will meet again. the death in april 2021 — will meet again. the death in april 2021 of _ will meet again. the death in april 2021 of her _ will meet again. the death in april 2021 of her beloved - april 2021 of her beloved husband philip after 73 years of marriage was a moment of deep sadness. it was born with the stoicism that she so often personified. there was never any question of her withdrawing from the path of duty. by the

time of her platinum jubilee in 2022, it was apparent her health was deteriorating. but there was still room for a surprise, a chaotic tea party with paddington bear. perhaps ou would with paddington bear. perhaps you would like _ with paddington bear. perhaps you would like a _ with paddington bear. perhaps you would like a marmalade i you would like a marmalade sandwich. i always keep one for emergencies. 50 sandwich. i always keep one for emergencies-— emergencies. so do i. i keep mine in here. _ emergencies. so do i. i keep mine in here. happy - emergencies. so do i. i keep mine in here. happyjubilee, j mine in here. happy 'ubilee, man. and i mine in here. happy 'ubilee, man. and thank_ mine in here. happyjubilee, man. and thank you. - mine in here. happyjubilee, man. and thank you. for - man. and thank you. for everything. man. and thank you. for everything-— man. and thank you. for eve hina. . v p' everything. that's very kind. this was _ everything. that's very kind. this was a — everything. that's very kind. this was a monarch - everything. that's very kind. this was a monarch at - everything. that's very kind. this was a monarch at peace everything. that's very kind. - this was a monarch at peace and enjoying herself. 0n the final day of the jubilee celebrations, there was a final appearance on the balcony of buckingham palace. a much loved

monarch acknowledge the many thousands who'd waited to see her until finally it was time to go. there was an unspoken feeling that an era was drawing to a close. for decade after decade, elizabeth ii was the constant and reassuring presence at the centre of national life. respected as a constitutional monarch, admired within britain, the commonwealth and beyond. it was a life sustained by faith and driven by duty. and by the pledge she made on the 21st birthday. i pledge she made on the 21st birthda . . ., , ., birthday. i declare before you will, birthday. i declare before you will. with _ birthday. i declare before you will. with my _ birthday. i declare before you will, with my whole _ birthday. i declare before you will, with my whole life, - will, with my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong stop god

help me to make good my vows and god bless all of you who are willing to share in it. stirring music.

welcome to a bbc news special with me christian fraser. welcome to viewers across the uk, across the world and in pbs america. buckingham palace announced the death of her majesty queen elizabeth ii, the longest—reigning monarch in the history of the united kingdom. she died at balmoral castle, in aberdeenshire, at the age of 96. if the queen's eldest son, charles, at the age of 73, has become king charles iii. it was at 6:30 on thursday

evening that buckingham palace released this formal statement — following the death of his mother, his majesty king charles ii! released this statement. this the queen had symbolised all that was constant

and reassuring, and for the vast majority of people in britain and the commonwealth, a treasured and highly—visible link with britain's past, has now gone. 0ur royal correspondent daniella relph looks back on a momentous day. tuesday the 6th of september, the last photographs of the queen, 96 years old, and still at work. meeting the new prime minister at balmoral, a duty she had been keen to fulfil, and one we now know was her final duty, after seven decades of public service. around 4pm this afternoon, a number of the queen's family arrived at aberdeen airport. her grandson, the duke of cambridge, was first to emerge followed by her daughter—in—law, sophie, the countess of wessex, and then her two youngest sons, is edward, the earl of wessex,

and andrew, the duke of york. the duke of cambridge drove the family group to balmoral tojoin his father and other members of the family already there with the queen. harry, the duke of sussex, arrived severally late in the evening. here in the uk for a number of charity events, his wife meghan did not accompany him to scotland. at 6:30pm, buckingham palace officially announced the death of queen elizabeth ii. following tradition, the statement was attached to the palace gates by two footmen, as tributes began. queen elizabeth ii was the rock on which modern britain was built. our country has grown and flourished under her reign. she was the very spirit of great britain, and that spirit will endure. she has been our longest ever reigning monarch. it is an extraordinary achievement to have presided with such dignity and grace for 70 years, and with the passing of the second elizabethan age, we usher in a new era

in the magnificent history of our great country, exactly as her majesty would have wished, by saying the words, god save the king. and also from the leader of the opposition. for the vast majority of us, the late queen has been simply the queen, the only queen, above all else, our queen. as we mourn her loss, we should also treasure her life. 0ur longest serving and greatest ever monarch, above the clashes of politics, she stood not for what the nation fought over, but what it agreed upon. throughout the day, there had been growing unease about the queen's health. in the commons, as keir starmer stood up to speak, opposite him, the prime minister was being

told of the queen's condition. information passed to angela rayner, labour's deputy leader, who left her seat for a while to discuss the development, before the speaker of the house addressed the chamber. i know i speak on behalf of the entire house when i say that we send our best wishes to her majesty the queen, and that she and the royal family are in our thoughts and prayers at this moment. cheering. cheered by onlookers, one of the queen's last royal engagements was injuly, with her daughter princess anne, opening a new state—of—the—art hospice in berkshire. these kind of visits have become rare over the past year, as the queen relied on her walking stick, her mobility compromised. the royal household had tried to adapt, to keep her active and visible. a golf buggy at the chelsea flower show helped keep the queen comfortable. but she had become noticeably thinner and frailer, something that severely limited her involvement in her own platinumjubilee's celebrations, with herfamily increasingly representing her.

cheering. at the weekend, her son stood in at the braemar highland games, always a favourite event for the queen, that she reluctantly missed. like so much of her life, the decline in health was played out in public. duty may have got harder to manage, physically, but mentally, even emotionally, the queen remained engaged and working to the very end. such a seismic moment, and when use of it again, there were thousands of people on the mall, who had come to pay their respects outside buckingham palace and that would have seen the official notice issued by the official notice issued by the royal household being pinned to the railings of the palace. it is nowjust after 2am here, so understandably a little quieter. not a very pleasant night here in london,

it has been raining. let's speak to kasia madera, who is at buckingham palace. really a city that never sleeps, so people still passing the gates, still taking their photographs, and laying their flowers. , . flowers. very much so, christian, _ flowers. very much so, christian, and - flowers. very much so, christian, and people l flowers. very much so, i christian, and people still continue to come, and they noticed that you were speaking about, it is really quite small, actually. it is an all sized piece of paper in a wooden framejust behind sized piece of paper in a wooden frame just behind me pinned to the palace walls. it is the formal notice bearing the news that the queen died peacefully at balmoral this afternoon, and it reads the king and the queen consort will remain at balmoral this evening and will return to london tomorrow, tomorrow effectively now being friday. that is the official message, the official posting that people are coming here to take pictures of, taking photos up unjust gathering to their respects. we

have met so many different people who just feel that they want to be here with other people, and yes, like you were saying, it is the middle of the night and yet people still continue to come, the numbers have dropped, at the height, the crowds, there were a couple of thousand people here but they still come. why did you feel you wanted to be had? i am feelyou wanted to be had? i am from the commonwealth, - feel you wanted to be had? i am from the commonwealth, from lndia. — from the commonwealth, from lndia. and _ from the commonwealth, from india, and i came here to study originally~ _ india, and i came here to study originally~ i_ india, and i came here to study originally. i was doing my degree _ originally. i was doing my degree in politics and international relations. so this— international relations. so this is, _ international relations. so this is, as far as i can imagine. _ this is, as far as i can imagine, probably one of the most — imagine, probably one of the most significant moments in the history— most significant moments in the history of— most significant moments in the history of this country. i was like — history of this country. i was like i— history of this country. i was like i am _ history of this country. i was like i am very lucky to be here _ like i am very lucky to be here the _ like i am very lucky to be here. the queen was a significant part of the commonwealth. ijust wanted to come _ commonwealth. ijust wanted to come and — commonwealth. ijust wanted to come and show my respects and be here — come and show my respects and be here for— come and show my respects and be here for the moment, come and show my respects and be here forthe moment, and come and show my respects and be here for the moment, and see what _ be here for the moment, and see what london would be like in a massive — what london would be like in a massive moment like this, i guess _ massive moment like this, i guess lt— massive moment like this, i cuess. , ., ., guess. it is a huge moment, thank you — guess. it is a huge moment, thank you very _ guess. it is a huge moment, thank you very much. -

guess. it is a huge moment, thank you very much. it - guess. it is a huge moment, thank you very much. it is i guess. it is a huge moment, i thank you very much. it is that huge moment, historic moment, and people wanting to pay their respects. i wondered why you wanted —— while you are here, it is the middle of the night. we are still gathering here. i actually, i came home after a work— actually, i came home after a work event, _ actually, i came home after a work event, and _ actually, i came home after a work event, and i— actually, i came home after a work event, and i turned - actually, i came home after a work event, and i turned on i actually, i came home after a i work event, and i turned on the tv, and — work event, and i turned on the tv, and i— work event, and i turned on the tv, and i saw— work event, and i turned on the tv, and i saw you, _ work event, and i turned on the tv, and i saw you, and - work event, and i turned on the tv, and i saw you, and i- tv, and i saw you, and i thought. _ tv, and i saw you, and i thought, hold _ tv, and i saw you, and i thought, hold on - tv, and i saw you, and i thought, hold on a - tv, and i saw you, and i. thought, hold on a minute, something _ thought, hold on a minute, something is— thought, hold on a minute, something is happening - thought, hold on a minute, . something is happening here. thought, hold on a minute, - something is happening here. so i something is happening here. so i came _ something is happening here. so l came down— something is happening here. so i came down to _ something is happening here. so i came down to see _ something is happening here. so i came down to see this, - something is happening here. so i came down to see this, be - i came down to see this, be part— i came down to see this, be part of— i came down to see this, be part of it _ i came down to see this, be part of it l— i came down to see this, be part of it— part of it. i am sure you are -- l'm _ part of it. i am sure you are -- l'm rrot _ part of it. i am sure you are -- l'm rrot a _ part of it. i am sure you are -- i'm not a reason. - part of it. i am sure you are -- i'm not a reason. not. -- i'm not a reason. not literally— -- i'm not a reason. not literally you, _ -- i'm not a reason. not literally you, this - -- i'm not a reason. not literally you, this event. | -- i'm not a reason. not - literally you, this event. and realising _ literally you, this event. and realising people _ literally you, this event. and realising people were - literally you, this event. and realising people were here. i realising people were here. only— realising people were here. only wanted _ realising people were here. only wanted to _ realising people were here. only wanted to be - realising people were here. only wanted to be here - realising people were here. only wanted to be here as. realising people were here. - 0nly wanted to be here as well. only wanted to be here as well. i did, five minute walk and here — i did, five minute walk and here we _ i did, five minute walk and here we are. _ i did, five minute walk and here we are. a _ i did, five minute walk and here we are. a lot- i did, five minute walk and here we are. a lot of- i did, five minute walk and i here we are. a lot of diversity going — here we are. a lot of diversity going on. _ here we are. a lot of diversity going on. which— here we are. a lot of diversity going on, which is— here we are. a lot of diversity going on, which is good - here we are. a lot of diversity going on, which is good and i going on, which is good and interesting, _ going on, which is good and interesting, and _ going on, which is good and interesting, and beautiful. interesting, and beautiful really~ _ interesting, and beautiful really. isn't _ interesting, and beautiful really. isn't it? _ interesting, and beautiful really. isn't it?— interesting, and beautiful really. isn't it? thank you. a lot of people _ really. isn't it? thank you. a lot of people here, - really. isn't it? thank you. a lot of people here, like - really. isn't it? thank you. a| lot of people here, like i say, as you were saying, it is the middle of the night yet people still continue to come, and

flowers are being laid, tributes, the union flag flying at half—mast. we expect far, far more people. the infrastructure, the kind of city furniture being brought in, lots of railings being brought in, we have cherry pickers putting up the union flag all around. and the entrances to pall mall and constitution hill, the main arteries that lead up to buckingham palace, are closed to the traffic but very much open to the public, to people on foot who want to come, and they do continue to come. we know that the queen will be lying in state for a number of days, and it will be buckingham palace that will eventually announce the date of the funeral itself. but right now at this moment in time, a lot of peoplejust wanting at this moment in time, a lot of people just wanting to be a part of this history, and it is

quiet and it is sombre. there are some people singing a little bit. earlier on today, people were spontaneously breaking into song, singing the national anthem, breaking into song, singing the nationalanthem, but singing national anthem, but singing god nationalanthem, but singing god save the king. just an indication that the change this nation is coming too, with people continuously coming to pay their respects in the middle of the night outside buckingham palace.- middle of the night outside buckingham palace. yes, as they will do at all _ buckingham palace. yes, as they will do at all the _ buckingham palace. yes, as they will do at all the palaces - buckingham palace. yes, as they will do at all the palaces of- will do at all the palaces of course. buckingham palace was seen by the queen very much as the office, home was at windsor. of course, it is sandringham, and balmoral, the houses that she owned, where she loved to be, particularly at balmoral, and as the doctor said at the end, she was comfortable and peaceful with her family around her. as we know, the queen was not only the monarch for the united kingdom, but she was also the head

of state across ill other common wealth countries. you have just seen you havejust seen it you have just seen it reflected fair at buckingham palace. so, how has the news, been received across the world? our diplomatic correspondent james landale, has been looking at the international response. from the moment the queen's reign began in kenya in 1952, she played a constant and significant role on the international stage, and today there was an outpouring of sorrow and regret in every corner of the globe. as her 12th canadian prime minister, i'm having trouble believing that my last sit down with her was my last. i will so miss those chats. she was thoughtful, wise, curious, helpful, funny and so much more. she was one of my favourite people in the world, and i will miss her so.

the president of france, emmanuel macron, said... "her majesty queen elizabeth embodied the continuity and unity of the british nation for over 70 years. i keep the memory of a friend of france, a queen of hearts, who marked her country and her century forever." the indian prime minister, narendra modi, said, "her majesty queen elizabeth will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. she provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people." and the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, said, "it is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of her majesty queen elizabeth. on behalf of the ukrainian people, we extend sincere condolences to the royal family, the entire united kingdom and the commonwealth over this irreparable loss. " the president of russia, vladimir putin, who met the queen in more peaceful times, offered his condolences, saying she'd enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects and authority on the world stage. she was dubbed by one of her biographers as "queen of the world", visiting

hundreds of countries throughout her reign. she was monarch of 15 separate realms, the head of a commonwealth of some of 56 nations. so there was no surprise that news of the queen's death made headlines around the world. speaks german. tonight, at the white house, the flags were at half mast. throughout her reign, the queen was a living embodiment of the trans—atlantic relationship, meeting no fewer than 12 us presidents. is you the queen met 12 of them personally at the last that barack 0bama said she'd

reigned with "grace, elegance and a tireless work ethic". views echoed on the streets of washington. i admire her greatly, yeah, i'm so sorry that she is past. she's an icon here, everywhere. horrible. i've been reading about her my whole life. she's one of the sane people in the uk, like the us, and it's just sad. as head of the commonwealth throughout her reign, the queen nurtured and shaped a unique international organisation, whose leaders past and present relied on her wisdom and judgement. the last days of the queen's life captures who she was in so many ways, working to the very end on behalf of the people she loved. and that is why i'm sure that we will receive the news of her passing with both emotions of deep sadness, but also gratitude for a life that was utterly and completely devoted to the service of others. and it was to a meeting of commonwealth leaders

that the queen made her last overseas tour in 2015, visiting malta, an island she'd once called home, the bookend of a life of duty and diplomacy on the international stage. james landale, bbc news. as you would expect, there have been condolences sent from all around the world. at the united nations, the security council held a minute's silence. pope francis praised queen elizabeth's steadfast faith and said he was praying for her eternal rest. the french leader, emmanuel macron, said he would remember the queen as a friend of france. and in germany president steinmeir said there are millions of germans in mourning,united with the people of the united kingdom. in the united states the flags over the white house and the capitol building are at half—mast tonight. let's go to washington our colleague katty kay is there. our us special correspondent katty kay is in washington dc.

understand president biden and a visit to the british embassy. he sat there withjill, his wife, and the british ambassador and they went in and left a message for the queen. as he heard injames langdale's piece, he also sent out a statement. a friend of mine, an american has detected mejust a few minutes ago and has said, it's amazing, the five most recent american president of all centre tributes to queen elizabeth. it's probably the only thing they agree on. it's so rare and maybe that was her extraordinary power. her neutrality. every single one of those presidents will have met her and felt they had a private time with her and that nothing they said to her was ever going to be leaked out into the public domain and that she made time to get to know each of them and spend time with each other and make them feel welcome and at ease. an american who worked with bill

clinton was recently seen on television today, to make you feel relaxed, even though she was the queen, to try and make an effort to put you at ease. i thought it funny observation you have all these presidents in this incredibly divided time in this incredibly divided time in america and what do they agree on, they agree they really appreciated the queen. the president recognise that, saying she brought such dignity to thejob but in an saying she brought such dignity to the job but in an ever shifting world and a deeply political parties and world, she brought a sense of reassurance and that is true of our country is much as it is of the united states and is that continuity, that will be missed. and deeply unsettling for the uk. who could ever have foreseen the head of state and the prime minister would both change within 48 hours? i the prime minister would both change within 48 hours?- change within 48 hours? i was thinkin: change within 48 hours? i was thinking that _ change within 48 hours? i was thinking that today. _ change within 48 hours? i was thinking that today. we've - change within 48 hours? i was| thinking that today. we've had this tricky transition of power, and i look across the atlantic and i see there in

britain, the prime minister change hands on the queen change hands on the queen change hands, as it should happen, the monarchy totally, peacefully, and without any discord. and it is a remarkable thing to have happened, the system is functioning exactly as it could function, and i'm speaking from a country where there are questions about whether system is functioning and i think that as well is something that americans are looking at what's happening in britain and appreciating not just her but the fact that the system of the monarchy has become so stable under her 70— year reign. become so stable under her 70- year reign-— become so stable under her 70- year reign. thank you very much indeed. news of the queen's death dominated headlines all over the world, from commonwealth nations like india and kenya, to the united states. let's hearfrom our team of international correspondents. starting with anne soy in, where then—princess elizabeth first learned she was to become queen. it was here in sagana, central kenya that then princess elizabeth

became queen. she was on tour, representing her ailing father when she received the news that he had sadly passed away, and it was a different time in history. country after country on the continent were gaining independence, and even though they chose republicanism, they understood hereditary monarchy, and therefore, wherever she travelled on the continent, they understood her place, they respected her, and she played a key role in bringing them into the commonwealth. as head of commonwealth, she kept the organisation together and grew it. to this day, it continues to expand, and messages of condolence have been coming in from across the continent, from leaders, including monarchs, and they recognise and deeply admire her service to the commonwealth and to the world. the flag is flying at half—staff here at the white house in honour of the rain that has seen the swearing in of 13 us presidents.

the queen met 12 of them personally a a long line, joe biden, has issued a statement, saying in his meetings with her he was charmed, he and the first lady, by her wit and moved them with her kindness. in recent years of course, like elsewhere in the world, news coverage of the british monarchy has often been driven by intrigue and scandal, but today, as the major networks roll on the events in balmoral, there is a real sense of the moment in history. the last king of america was queen elizabeth ii's rate great—great—great—grandfather, and her time on the throne has been marked by an even further shift, away from those colonial ties, and towards a relationship of two independent, modern nations, defined by their shared democratic values. news of the queen's death is dominating headlines . here in india. prime minister narendra modi put out a statement, - saying, her majesty queen - elizabeth ii will be remembered

as a store wart of our times. she provided inspiring i leadership to her nation and people, she personified dignity and decency- in public life. penned by her demise, - my thoughts are with her family and people of the uk in this sad hour. - the prime minister then follows it up with another tweet, - in which he shares two| photographs of himself in the queen during his. previous visits to the uk, sharing a personal anecdote as well. i the queen shared a special relationship with india. - she visited the country three times during her reign, - the first visit in 1961, 15 years after india's| independence. the needs of the queen 'sj demise will be dominating headlines as india wakes up. we have just seen the flags on the sydney harbour bridge being lowered to half—mast as a mark of respect. australians are waking up to the news that queen elizabeth ii has died.

she had a deep affection for this country. she came here 16 times during her reign. the first visit came in 1954. it was a marathon. she visited 57 towns and cities in 58 days, and for many people here, she became a beacon of service and dedication. across the tasman sea in new zealand, the prime ministerjacinda ardern has paid tribute to an incredible woman, saying that new zealanders were lucky to have been able to call her their queen. these are sentiments echoed not just here in australia, but across the commonwealth. here at the european commission, as the european parliament, flags are flying at half—mast, where over in paris, the eiffel tower has been plunged into darkness as a sign of respect. it is hard to overstate the respect and the admiration so many europeans have the queen, and if you look at news websites across the continent, news of her death is on the front page. norway's public broadcaster even suspended normal programming just to run

specials on the queen, and of course we have heard from leaders and heads of state as well. we've heard from leaders and heads of state as well. germany's president said she was a woman who shaped a century, while france's emmanuel macron said she was a kind—hearted queen, who left a lasting impression. previously, he described her as the golden thread binding the uk and france since world war ii. and through years of public service and family ties, the queen had close relationships with europe's royal families as well, and they have been touching, usually personal messages tonight. spain's king felipe used to address her as dear aunt lilibet, and said he would miss her dearly. here in belgium, the king and queen said all of their encounters would now be etched on their memories forever. rest in peace, your majesty, they said, alongside

your beloved husband. she was the most travelled head of state of all time. 16 visits to australia, attended new zealand, 22 to canada and also the family of nations she knew as the commonwealth. we can now speak to journalist sophie ellsworth at the australian. how will they be remembering her life? there was an outpouring of grief in australia. we heard about her passing in 3:30am in melbourne where i am based. a lot of australians have onlyjust australians have only just understood australians have onlyjust understood what has unfolded in recent hours, given this happened in the middle of the night, but it's absolutely devastating to learn the news here in australia. obviously with our close ties, with the british monarchy and the

commonwealth, we have flags half—mast across the country, including on the sydney harbour bridge, as our australian parliament in canberra, and the prime minister here, anthony albanese e and the governor—general david hurley will travel to london to meet with the king following the news of the queen was passing here. ., ,., ., here. tell me about how the news was — here. tell me about how the news was shared. _ here. tell me about how the news was shared. it - here. tell me about how the news was shared. it was - here. tell me about how the news was shared. it was at i news was shared. it was at 6:30pm in the uk but obviously news of the queen's condition, that would have come in australia in the early hours of the morning, correct?- the morning, correct? that's riaht, the morning, correct? that's right. and — the morning, correct? that's right. and a _ the morning, correct? that's right, and a lot _ the morning, correct? that's right, and a lot of _ the morning, correct? that's right, and a lot of the - right, and a lot of the newspapers here today that were published overnight, and that there were grave concerns for there were grave concerns for the queen's health. but obviously that changed overnight when she passed away. there is a lot of digital newspapers, printing digital editions this morning, remembering the queen's

wonderful life and also the news outlets came into work very early, three or four in the morning. to discuss this breaking news but there is obviously a deep sense of grief swept across australia right now, and everyone is around the world trying to come to terms with this news of such a huge loss, not only to the commonwealth but to the world. obviously there is a debate in australia, it's been reopened by the president about the constitutional monarchy. and whether australia should go a different way. do you think, and a period of such national grief and reflection, is there a possibility in fact that the royal family becomes more popular at this time?- royal family becomes more popular at this time? well, i think obviously _ popular at this time? well, i think obviously now - popular at this time? well, i think obviously now is - popular at this time? well, i think obviously now is not i think obviously now is not really the time for that discussion, given so many people are in grief at the moment, but it's definitely been an issue that is raised many times and remains an issue

in australia but in saying that, there is huge support for the monarchy and there was a referendum several decades ago that failed to become a republic. there is strong support for the monarchy to continue and australia's ties to the commonwealth remain. there is a huge support for the royal family on the monarchy here in australia. we royal family on the monarchy here in australia.— royal family on the monarchy here in australia. we have been saved through _ here in australia. we have been saved through the _ here in australia. we have been saved through the night, - here in australia. we have been saved through the night, there l saved through the night, there is going to be such an enormous period of adjustment in the uk. she is everywhere, on our postboxes, and our coins, her face hangs in every government building, and to a large extent i imagine it's in australia the same. she is the head of state. our australians ready for that adjustment?— our australians ready for that adjustment? ad'ustment? that's right, she is adjustment? that's right, she is everywhere _ adjustment? that's right, she is everywhere here _ adjustment? that's right, she is everywhere here as - adjustment? that's right, she is everywhere here as well, i adjustment? that's right, she i is everywhere here as well, she is everywhere here as well, she is on our currency, that will obviously change in due course.

there is deep affiliation with the monarchy and the commonwealth here in australia and a lot of australians are incredibly proud of the ties but, you know, there is immense loss here in australia across the country, whether you are a republican or monarchist, people are feeling this from all walks of life here in australia, she was his 16 times and the only monarch to ever visit australia in the last represent 2011 when the streets across australia were lined 30 deep with australians rushing to get a glimpse of the queen. i myself travelled to london for the queen 'sjubilee. i was so lucky to be a part of those celebrations. this is a woman that will never be replaced, she is irreplaceable, and a deep sense of group here in australia.

the queen chose to spend the majority of her later years