The Royal Family on Thursday, 8 September, announced the death of the United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Her son and the new ruling monarch of the UK after her death, King Charles, said that it is "a moment of greatest sadness" for him and all the members of his family. The new King will officially be known as King Charles III.
"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," King Charles said.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held," the new King added.
Official Twitter accounts of the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge also changed their Twitter banners to a black and white photo of The Queen.
'She Set an Example for All of Us': Spain and Dutch Royal Families Pay Tribute
Stating that he was deeply saddened by the passing of the Queen, Spain's King Felipe VI said, "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has undoubtedly witnessed, written, and shaped many of the most relevant chapters in the history of our world during the last seven decades."
"Her sense of duty, commitment, and a whole life devoted to serving the people of the United Kingdom of Great britain and Northern Ireland set an example for all of us and will remain as a solid and valuable legacy for future generations," he added.
In a statement, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and Princess Beatrix of the Dutch Royal House said, "We are very grateful for our countries' close friendship, to which Queen Elizabeth made such an unforgettable contribution."
The Royal Family also announced that The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral on Thursday evening and will return to London on Friday, 9 September.
The Queen's death comes after Buckingham Palace, earlier on Thursday, released a statement saying that the doctors of the Queen were concerned for her health.
Members of the Royal Family, including the now King Charles and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles, as well as Princes Edward, Andrew, and William, gathered at Balmoral, amid concerns for her health.
'My Prayers Are With the King and the Royal Family': Archbishop of Canterbury
Reacting to the news of the Queen's death, the Archbishop of Canterbury said, "It is with profound sadness that I join the nation, the Commonwealth, and the world in mourning the death of Her Late Majesty The Queen. My prayers are with The King and the Royal Family. May God draw near them and comfort them in the days, weeks and months ahead."
"As deep as our grief runs, even deeper is our gratitude for Her Late Majesty’s extraordinary dedication to the United Kingdom, her Realms and the Commonwealth. Through times of war and hardship, through seasons of upheaval and change, and through moments of joy and celebration, we have been sustained by Her Late Majesty’s faith in what and who we are called to be," he added.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)