Queen Elizabeth: Seven things you need to know about the Queens passing – Toronto Star

After seven decades on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II, Britains longest reigning monarch, died Thursday at Balmoral Castle. She was 96.

Elizabeth is succeeded by her eldest son, Charles. Royal officials confirmed the new monarch will be known as King Charles III.

Here are seven things you need to know about the Queens passing.

How did it happen?

Early Thursday morning, news broke that the Queen was placed under medical supervision, just two days after she appointed British Prime Minister Liz Truss the 15th prime minister to serve under her reign.

Hours later, around 1 p.m. EST, a notice was posted at the gates of Buckingham Palace notifying the public of the Queens death.

The Queen died peacefully at her estate in the Scottish Highlands, Balmoral castle, officials announced. Members of the royal family including Prince William Charles eldest son and now heir-apparent and the Queens other sons Princes Andrew and Edward were in attendance.

When is the Queens funeral?

The funeral will take place at least 10 days after the Queens passing, following a traditional period of mourning across the nation.

According to Politico, Elizabeths official send-off is expected to take place in Westminster Abbey, with members of the royal family, dignitaries and heads of state from around the world in attendance.

Elizabeth will be laid to rest at St. Georges Chapel, on the grounds of Windsor Castle. She will be buried beside her late husband Prince Philip, her father King George VI and her sister Princess Margaret.

The royal family is expected to release concrete details soon.

Whats Operation London Bridge?

Operation London Bridge is the code name for the U.K. governments secretive plans covering the immediate aftermath of the Queens death.

According to Politico, it includes a detailed schedule of the 10 days of national mourning, including a large security operation overseeing the potentially unprecedented crowds of mourners surging into London.

The plans span from the important to the seemingly mundane, from how official government websites and social media should behave to how the U.K. prime minister should.

For a full overview of the plan, click here.

Whos next in line after the Queen?

King Charles III was named king immediately after Elizabeths death. The order of succession after the 73-year-old monarch is as follows:

Prince William, eldest son of Charles and the late Princess Diana, is now the heir apparent. He is married to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will succeed him in that order.

Prince Harry, younger son of Charles and Diana, follows. He will be succeeded by his children with Meghan, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, respectfully.

Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philips second-eldest son, is eighth in succession. Andrew is followed by Princess Beatrice, his eldest daughter with former wife Sarah Ferguson.

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her son Charles becomes Britain's new king. The oldest person to ever assume the British throne, he became King Charles III on Thursday. (Sept. 8)(AP video/Mike Householder)

What do we know about King Charles III?

After a lifetime of preparation, Charles has finally ascended to the throne. His coronation marks him the oldest person ever to assume the British crown.

His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, was named queen consort. Charles and Camilla wed in 2005 following his controversial divorce with Princess Diana in 1996. Diana later died in a car crash the following year.

Charles became the first royal heir to earn a university degree and not be educated at home. Unlike his mother, who was steadfastly apolitical, Charles delivered speeches and penned articles on topics including climate change, green energy and alternative medicine.

How will the Queens death affect Canada?

Immediately after the Queens death, King Charles III automatically became Canadas head of state. Everything else in Canadian government essentially remains the same.

The monarchs role in Canadian governance is extremely limited. Their representative, the governor general, carries out responsibilities on their behalf, most of which are largely ceremonial. One of these tasks is to formally announce the new king.

Read more here: How will Queen Elizabeth IIs death affect Canada's government?

All coins engraved with the Queen will remain legal tender and stay in circulation indefinitely. The current $20 polymer bill will continue to circulate for years to come, although Elizabeths image will eventually be replaced with her successor.

Read more here: What happens to Canadas currency, stamps, place names after the Queens death?

How are world leaders reacting?

In a news conference Thursday, newly appointed Prime Minister Liz Truss reflected on the Queens legacy and spoke on ushering in a new era. She ended her speech with God save the King.

In a speech soon after the Queens death, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Elizabeth one of my favourite people in the world, adding that he will miss her so.

World leaders from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the King of Jordan Abdullah bin AlHussein took to Twitter to pay their tributes. Read what they said here.

World leaders and citizens across the globe expressed their condolences and memories of Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday at age 96. (Sept. 9 / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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Queen Elizabeth: Seven things you need to know about the Queens passing - Toronto Star