Page 4 - Queen Elizabeth Ii

Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe to attend Queen's funeral in Britain

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe will attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in Britain, his office announced on Sunday. Wickremesinghe visited the British High Commission in Colombo on Sunday morning to sign the book of condolence placed there. The monarch, who celebrated her 70th year on the throne this year, passed away on September 8 at Balmoral Castle. The state funeral for the Queen will be held at Wesminster Abbey on September 19. As a mark of respect to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Sri Lanka's national flag is flown at half-mast at all state buildings while a day of mourning has been declared for September 19. Queen Elizabeth II was Sri Lanka's head of state until May 1972 when the island left the British sovereign to become a republic. The Queen had visited Sri Lanka twice in 1954 and 1981 and later was represented by Prince of Wales at visits in 1998, 2004 and 2013 for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting hosted here in Colombo. Queen's body will be

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India mourns death of Queen Elizabeth II; national flags fly at half-mast

As India observes one-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8, the national flags at all government buildings fly at half-mast

Stepping up: Next generation of British royals to see more scrutiny

Prince William and wife Kate made a surprise joint appearance with Prince Harry and wife Meghan, warmly greeting a large crowd gathered outside Windsor Castle to remember their long-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Their walkabout", the first time the brothers have appeared amicably together in public since March 2020, comes at a time when the younger generation of Britain's royal family must step up their responsibilities significantly. William, long second-in-line to the throne, is now the heir apparent after his father, King Charles III, became Britain's new monarch upon his mother's death. That means William and Kate, both 40 and parents of three young children, immediately assume a much more central role as the new face of the monarchy. William and Harry had been on frosty terms terms since Harry quit as a senior royal and moved to the US two years ago. Their show of unity Saturday was reportedly initiated by William and left some observers hoping that Harry, 37, might ...

Queen Elizabeth II's wealth and will to stay secret after her death

The wealth of Queen Elizabeth II, often referred to as one of the wealthiest women in the world, has remained secret and so will her last will and testament specifying how her wealth will be distributed after her death in Scotland on Thursday. The British monarchy as a brand was valued at around USD 88 billion in 2017 by valuation consultancy firm Brand Finance, with the Queen's personal wealth from investments, art, jewels and real estate estimated by Forbes' to be worth around USD 500 million. Historically, the wills of the sovereign have remained private along with other members of the royal family. The Sunday Times Rich List' calculated the late Queen's wealth at 340 million pounds in 2015, with the major source of a British sovereign's personal money being the Duchy of Lancaster. It is the sovereign's private estate, existing purely to give the reigning monarch an income: in the financial year ending March 31 it was valued at about 652 million pounds and generated a net surplu

World lost extraordinary leader, I lost Grannie: Prince William

Britain's Prince William said on Saturday that he knew the day would come when his "Grannie" Queen Elizabeth II would be no more but that it would take some time for the reality to sink in, as he reflected upon how the world had lost an extraordinary leader. In his first statement as the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, posted on Instagram, the 40-year-old said he would honour the memory of the late monarch by supporting his father, the new monarch. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real, William said in his short statement. On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade, he said. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance

Queen's funeral to be held on Sept 19, after 4 days of lying in state

The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19, at 11am local time, Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday. Prior to the State Funeral, the late British monarch will lie-in-state at Westminster Hall nearby for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects. "During the Lying-in-State, members of the public will have the opportunity to visit Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the Queen, the palace statement said. "On the morning of Monday 19th September, the Lying-in-State will end and the coffin will be taken in Procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, where the State Funeral Service will take place, it said. Following the State Funeral, the coffin will travel in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London for its onwards journey to Windsor. In Windsor, the State Hearse will travel in procession to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, the monarch's final resting place

UK PM Truss takes oath of loyalty to Britain's new monarch King Charles III

Prime Minister Liz Truss and senior members of her government have taken oaths of loyalty to King Charles III in the House of Commons. House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was the first to pledge he will bear true allegiance to his Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, followed by the longest-serving lawmakers and the prime minister. All lawmakers pledge allegiance to the monarch after they are elected. Making a new vow when the monarch changes is not a legal requirement, but all 650 lawmakers will have a chance to retake the oath in the coming days if they wish. Normal parliamentary business has been suspended during a period of mourning for the queen. The House of Commons is holding a rare Saturday session so that lawmakers can pay tribute to the late monarch.

As King Charles III takes throne, second proclamation made in London

The second proclamation has been made at the Royal Exchange in London as thousands gathered to witness history in the making

Dalai Lama congratulates King Charles III on becoming Britain's new monarch

Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama has written to King Charles III to offer his congratulations on his accession to the throne. In his message, the Dalai Lama said, "I am confident that you will fulfil this great responsibility with kindness and affection, dedicated to the service of others." "Since I have the honour of counting Your Majesty as a dear and respected friend, it is a joy for me to see your being proclaimed King of the United Kingdom," he said. "I wish you every success in meeting whatever challenges lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the British people, and contributing to the creation of a more peaceful world," he concluded.

King Charles III proclaimed Britain's new monarch in historic ceremony

King Charles III was on Saturday proclaimed Britain's new monarch in a historic ceremony of the Accession Council that was televised for the first time in history. The throne had passed to the 73-year-old former Prince of Wales following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday and Saturday's ceremony marked his formal declaration and oath taking at St. James's Palace in London. King Charles was joined by his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, and his son and heir Prince William the new Prince of Wales. The King had travelled back from Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Friday, where the Queen's health deteriorated and she breathed her last.

Queen Elizabeth II was known around the world but still a royal mystery

Millions paid attention when she spoke and, crucially for a job that often was more significant in its silences, what she embodied

Queen Elizabeth II: An exception, not the rule

'She epitomised soft power before we knew what the term meant'

Queen Elizabeth is featured on several currencies. So what happens next?

Queen Elizabeth II has been depicted on British banknotes and coins for decades. Her portrait also has been featured on currencies in dozens of other places around the world, in a reminder of the British empire's colonial reach. So what happens next after her death this week? It will take time for the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries to swap out the monarchs on their money. But that doesn't mean the bills don't work they do. Here's a look at what is next for the paper cash featuring the late queen: SWITCHING MONARCHS The queen's portrait on British notes and coins is expected to replaced by a likeness of the new King Charles III, but it won't be immediate. Current banknotes featuring the image of Her Majesty The Queen will continue to be legal tender, the Bank of England said. An announcement on existing paper money issued by the UK's central bank will be made after the official 10-day mourning period has ended, it said. The Royal Mint, which i

Nepal announces 3 days of national mourning for Queen Elizabeth II

Nepal's Council of Ministers on Friday evening has announced three days of national mourning over the demise of Queen Elizabeth II who took her last breath on Thursday.

After Queen's death, King Charles hints his reign will offer change of tone

As the United Kingdom mourns a beloved queen, the nation is already wondering how King Charles III will reign and whether his monarchy will depart from the traditions of his mother. If his first full day on the throne is any indication, Charles seemed ready to chart at least a slightly different course. When Charles travelled to Buckingham Palace for the first time as the new king Friday, his limousine snaked through a sea of spectators then stopped short of the palace gates before he got out and shook hands with well-wishers. Charles looked more like a US president on the campaign trail than the latest steward of a 1,000-year-old hereditary monarchy. It's not that Queen Elizabeth II didn't meet her subjects. She did, often. But this felt different a bit less formal, a bit more relaxed. Charles spent almost 10 minutes greeting people pressed up against the crowd-control barriers, smiling, waving, accepting condolences and the occasional bouquet of flowers as the audience broke ou

Here's what's next for the UK as King Charles III starts his reign

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has triggered a series of carefully structured ceremonial and constitutional steps, as Britain undergoes a period of national mourning and heralds the reign of King Charles III. The long-established 10-day plan, code-named Operation London Bridge, has been adapted to the specific circumstances of the queen's death in Scotland, and some details haven't been publicly confirmed. Here is a look at what will happen in the coming days. Friday, September 9 King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, travelled from Balmoral Castle in Scotland to London. At noon, church bells rang at Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and across the country in honour of the queen. Also at noon, Parliament held a special session so lawmakers can pay tribute to the queen. A 1 pm, gun salutes were fired in London's Hyde Park and at military sites around the country, one round for reach of the 96 years of the queen's life. During afternoon, the king meets w

Charles III pledges 'lifelong service' to subjects in first address as king

In the pre-recorded message to Britain and the Commonwealth, the King also acknowledged the moment of change felt by Britons and in his own Royal Family.

Best of BS Opinion: Covid's medium-term impact, myth of good dictator, more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for Saturday

King Charles III: The King who believes in healing power of Yoga, Ayurveda

The royal spoke of his "great love for India" when he launched an emergency Covid appeal last year and helped raise millions during India's severe pandemic wave