Queen Elizabeth 11
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history and a symbol of stability in an era of sweeping social and political change, has died at age 96.
Tributes Pour In as Nation Mourns
Tributes poured in as Buckingham Palace announced that Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II had died. The 96-year-old monarch—who ascended the throne when Winston Churchill was prime minister and the nation was recovering from World War II—passed away at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland.
The queen’s eldest son, Charles, 73, becomes Britain’s new monarch, and will be known as King Charles III. In his first statement, the king said the queen’s death would be felt “by countless people around the world.”
The longest-reigning monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth was a symbol of stability in an era of sweeping social and political change.
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U.S. Capitol Flies Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Queen
More than three decades after Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address Congress, Democratic and Republican lawmakers praised her service to her country and offered condolences following her death at age 96.
“Under history’s brightest spotlight, Queen Elizabeth offered a masterclass in grace and strength, power and poise,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.). “Her extraordinary life and leadership will continue to inspire young women and girls in public service.”
Drew Hammill, Mrs. Pelosi’s spokesman, said flags would be flown at half-staff at the U.S. Capitol in honor of the queen. Mr. Hammill also said the House would pass a bereavement resolution on Tuesday and then adjourn for the day in her honor. He said the House did the same for the death of King George VI in 1952.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said on the Senate floor that “it’s hard to fathom that today we have to say goodbye because after all, most Americans, to say nothing of the British people, have never lived in a world without her majesty the queen.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) sent praise for the queen’s leadership.
“Despite spending nearly three quarters of a century as one of the most famous and admired individuals on the planet, the queen made sure her reign was never really about herself — not her fame, not her feelings, not her personal wants or needs,” he said in a statement.
And House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) said that the queen “led her people with grace, demonstrating what servant-leadership means in principle and in practice.”
Lawmakers also recalled personal moments with the queen. Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California said she spent time with her during a royal visit to San Francisco in 1983 and “found her to be gracious and kind, a wonderful representative of her nation.”
