What happened the day Queen Elizabeth II died
On the first anniversary of Her Majesty's death, here is how the historic day unfolded
It has been a year since the death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced and the country mourned the loss of the longest reigning British monarch .
Here is how the historic day unfolded:
Thursday September 8th 2022 - The day the Queen died
Rumours begin to swirl in newsrooms early on that the Queen has taken ill at Balmoral Castle, and possibly had a fall.
Two days before, the Queen was happily hosting guests on the Aberdeenshire estate, and carrying out official duties by bidding farewell to Boris Johnson and appointing Liz Truss as the new prime minister.
But the Queen looked frail in photographs and postponed a Privy Council meeting on the Wednesday after being ordered by doctors to rest.
10.30 am
Behind the scenes, the then-Prince of Wales makes a 120-mile dash by helicopter from Dumfries House to Balmoral after being alerted to the Queen’s worsening condition.
The Duchess of Cornwall cancels a not-yet publicly announced official visit to a cancer centre in Lanarkshire and travels by road from Birkhall.
The Princess Royal, who is staying in Scotland, is already at the Queen’s bedside.
Charles visits his mother and later goes foraging for mushrooms on the estate as he contemplates his accession and imminent duty as king, before he returns to the Queen’s side.
12.12 pm
Initial indications that something is afoot are seen in the House of Commons.
Then then-chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Nadhim Zahawi, sits down next to PM Liz Truss and begins whispering to her while she listens to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s response to her energy statement.
Labour MP Chris Bryant tweets: “Something odd is going on in the Commons. Zahawi briefing pm urgently.”
Sir Keir, too, is passed a note by his deputy Angela Rayner, with Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also being handed a piece of paper updating him about the developing situation.
Ms Rayner later reveals the note read: “The Queen is unwell and Keir needs to leave the Chamber as soon as possible to be briefed.”
Ms Truss and Sir Keir depart.
12.32 pm
Buckingham Palace then issues a concerning statement, confirming the Queen is under medical supervision.
It reads: “Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.”The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”
Close family have been informed, the Palace says.
12.46 pm
Clarence House confirms Charles and Camilla have travelled to Balmoral, and a minute later Kensington Palace say William, then-the Duke of Cambridge, is to head north.
The Duchess of Cambridge remains in Windsor where her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are starting at a new school.
1.38 pm
Palace sources say the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex are also on their way to the Queen’s Scottish home.
1.54 pm
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announce they are going to Balmoral. Charles has phoned Harry earlier to tell him of the Queen’s worsening health.
Harry texts William to ask whether he and Kate are flying up, but receives no reply.
Behind the scenes, Charles calls Harry again to ask him not to bring Meghan.
The duke says in his memoir that he tells his father “Don’t ever speak about my wife that way”.
Charles says only immediate family will be there, and not Kate.
2.39 pm
A Royal Air Force flight takes off from RAF Northolt in South Ruislip, west London, carrying William, Andrew, Edward and Sophie.
3.10 pm
Elizabeth II – the nation’s longest reigning monarch – dies at the age of 96 in her bedroom in the castle, surrounded by Charles, who immediately accedes to the throne as the new King, Camilla and Anne. Also there is the Queen’s doctor, GP Douglas Glass.
Her death – the cause of which is listed on her death certificate as old age – brings an end to the Second Elizabethan age which has spanned 70 years.
3.50 pm
The royals on the RAF plane, a Dassault Falcon, land at Aberdeen airport, too late to say their final farewells.
4.30 pm
Prime Minister Liz Truss is informed of the Queen’s death by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.
4.38 pm
Sources close to Harry and Meghan say Harry is now travelling alone. He charters a private flight from Luton.
– Just after 5pm: A fleet of cars, including a Range Rover driven by William, arrives at Balmoral.
Andrew is in the passenger seat and Edward and Sophie are in the back.
5.50 pm
A double rainbow appears over Buckingham Palace after a heavy downpour as members of the public gather outside.
6.30 pm
News of the Queen’s death is announced to the world.
A Buckingham Palace statement reads: “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.”
The union flag at Buckingham Palace is lowered to half mast.
Tributes flood in from around the globe.
7.04 pm
Charles issues his first statement as King, and describes his mother’s death as “a moment of the greatest sadness”.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother,” the new sovereign says.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
7.07pm
Prime Minister Liz Truss, dressed in black, addresses the nation outside No 10.
“Today the crown passes, as it has done for more than 1,000 years, to our new monarch, to our new head of state, His Majesty King Charles III,” she says announcing the monarch’s choice of regnal title for the first time.
Around 8pm
Harry arrives at Balmoral. He is in the air when the announcement of the Queen’s death is made.
When he lands at Aberdeen airport, he receives a text from Meghan telling him to call, but learns the news after checking the BBC’s website on his phone.
The duke is greeted at the castle by Anne. Charles, William and Camilla – the new Queen – have already left for Birkhall.
Harry visits the late Queen’s body to pay his respects, whispering that he hopes she is happy and “with Grandpa”.
Behind the scenes, the long-held London Bridge plans for the Queen’s death are rapidly put into action, setting out the next 11 days according to a strict timetable which feature a lying in state and then the solemnity and grandeur of a state funeral.
A grieving Charles and Camilla dine with William at Birkhall, and prepare to return to London the next day, Friday, with the King due to address the nation on television.
Tributes paid to the Queen
Flowers are being laid outside many of the Queen's homes, following her death. Here a family lay flowers outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace the evening after the news of the Queen's death was made public.
Mourners gather at Buckingham Palace placing flowers and paying their respect
Messages on the flowers included this 'Forever our Queen' message
Even the gates of Buckingham palace were adorned with flowers
Books of condolence have been set up in many places across the UK, including this one at Liverpool Cathedral
Birmingham Cathedral also had a space for remembrance
People were queuing to sign the book of condolence in Birmingham
Flowers at the gates of Balmoral in Scotland
Brighton UK 9th September 2022 - A tribute to The Queen at a bus stop in Brighton today after her death at the age of 96 was announced yesterday .
Floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth II at the gate of Buckingham Palace.
London, England, UK. 9th Sep, 2022.
Newmarket, UK. 9 September, 2022. Floral tributes left in memory to Queen Elizabeth II after her death on 8th September on a bronze statue designed by Etienne Millner, which is situated at the Newmarket Racecourse entrance which was a gift from the town in the year of her 90th birthday. Pictured is Matt Hancock Conservative MP, for West Suffolk, with his floral tribute the Queen.
Mourners make their way along the Long Walk to pay their respects at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Union Flag flies at half mast at the City Chambers in Edinburgh, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
John Houston of the Merchant Navy Association pays his respects at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes and messages at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes and messages at the gates of Sandringham House on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Minutes of silence before the game to pay respect after the death of Queen Elizabeth II before the UEFA Europa Conference League match at the London Stadium, London.
London, England, 8th September 2022.
Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II who died on Thursday 8th September.
London, England, UK. 8th Sep, 2022.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie looks at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Floral tributes left at the gates of Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson looks at floral tributes at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Floral tributes continue to be left outside several locations across the country and the world. Here, on 11th September, at the gates of Buckingham Palace, the crowds continue to gather and leave flowers and other tributes.
Six-year-old Terezka Cernianska leaves flowers at the gates of Balmoral in Scotland, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Large crowds gather to show their respect along the A90, Forfar, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is taken to Edinburgh.
Floral tributes left next to a fountain in St James' Park outside Buckingham Palace.