Buckingham Palace has just announced the heartbreaking news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
This momentous event took place at Balmoral, Scotland, where the Queen peacefully passed away at the age of 96.
The announcement was made through the Royal Family’s official Twitter account, revealing that the King and Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral for the night and return to London tomorrow.
Today marks one year since the world bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II, signifying the end of an era in the monarchy.
However, despite the immense loss, the Queen leaves behind a remarkable legacy.
As tradition dictates, the crown now passes to our new monarch and head of state, His Majesty King Charles III.
Hugh Whitfeld, the Europe Bureau Chief who has been covering the Royal Family for years, shared his firsthand experience of this historic moment.
On September 8, 2022, Hugh and Seven Cameraman James Cannon found themselves at Balmoral, witnessing history unfold.
What made this week even more significant was the transition of the Prime Minister, with Liz Truss arriving shortly after Boris Johnson’s departure from Balmoral Castle on Tuesday.
The anticipation for the change in Prime Minister was already palpable, but something extraordinary was about to occur.
The Queen unexpectedly withdrew from a Privy Council Zoom meeting on Wednesday night.
This raised concerns as it was the first time she had missed such a virtual gathering due to health reasons.
It became clear that something serious was afoot, prompting Hugh and his team to rush back to Balmoral.
Being the first journalists on the scene, they were privy to the unfolding events that would forever shape history.
Phone calls from insiders close to the palace confirmed that the Queen’s health had deteriorated to the point where the change of sovereign was imminent.
Charles, who was initially in Dumfries House in southern Scotland, hastily made his way to Balmoral on the morning of September 8th, realizing that time was running out.
Meanwhile, Liz Truss, barely two days into her prime ministership, received a discreet note from her cabinet minister, Nadim Zahawi.
This message informed her of the Queen’s grave condition and the momentous events that were about to transpire.
The nation watched live on television as this extraordinary sequence of events unfolded, creating an atmosphere of urgency and anticipation.
Throughout that afternoon, members of the royal family, including Prince William, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, hurriedly made their way to Balmoral.
Princess Anne, already in Scotland, joined Charles at the estate.
Sadly, Prince Harry was left behind, forced to catch a commercial flight to Aberdeen and missing the opportunity to see his grandmother before her passing.
The atmosphere at Balmoral was somber and melancholic, compounded by the rain that fell that day.
News crews scrambled to reach the location, while locals from Aberdeenshire and Scotland also flocked to the scene.
Then, at 6:30 PM Scotland time, news broke that Queen Elizabeth II had peacefully passed away, marking the end of an era.
Hugh Whitfeld admitted that he had been preparing for this event for the past nine years, aware that it could have unfolded in various ways.
The Queen’s sudden decline caught many off guard.
Just days earlier, she had greeted Liz Truss by the fireplace at Balmoral Castle, but her frail appearance hinted at her deteriorating health.
Although her passing came swiftly, it provided a sense of relief, knowing that she was in her favorite place and spared a prolonged period of suffering.
The statement released by the Palace with the words “the King” held immense significance.
It was the first time in over seven decades that such a statement had been issued.
This marked the official confirmation of the change that had occurred, setting in motion a series of events that would shape the country and the Commonwealth over the next ten days.
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II leaves behind a void that will be felt not only by the British people but also by the world.
Her reign was characterized by grace, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to her duties.
As the nation mourns this tremendous loss, it also embraces a future under the leadership of King Charles III, who will undoubtedly carry on the legacy left by his mother.