Queen Elizabeth – loved for her virtues of dignity, public service, selflessness, and patriotism

As a double rainbow shown over Balmoral Castle, news of the death of Queen Elizabeth, 96 years old, came to the world. Within moments the flag was lowered to half-mast, and a notice was posted on the gates of Westminster.

Tomorrow, the Ascension Council will meet in London and proclaim Prince Charles as King Charles III. Camilla will have the title of Queen Consort, a title wanted by Queen Elizabeth. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge will follow King Charles III to the throne, and will be followed by his three children Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince Louis of Cambridge.

Prince Charles will visit the lands of the British empire over the next several day – Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. A state funeral will be held – “10 days following her death, on a Sunday” if script is followed, which would take the funeral to September 18th, but the 19th is being announced.

The Queen’s funeral was planned beginning in 1960 and updated periodically, and approved by the Queen.

The last public appearance of the Queen was this past week when she installed Liz Truss as the new Prime Minister, succeeding Boris Johnson.

Crowds continued to gather in the early evening outside of Westminster. And the official 10 days of morning, scripted in every detail begins today. Ceremonial gun salutes are expected at Hyde Park and at Tower Hill, and a national minute’s silence is expected to be held. King Charles will meet with the Prime Minister – and is expected to address his nation today.

A private service will be held at the cathedral, and then her body will be flown to London. She will lie in state at Westminster Hall for 5 days, with the event open to the public 23 hours a day. According to The Guardian, “the state funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey. The coffin will be borne from Westminster Hall in a procession to the abbey. There will be two minutes’ silence across the nation. After the one-hour service, a large ceremonial procession will accompany the coffin to Hyde Park, where it will be transferred from gun carriage to state hearse and travel to Windsor. After a procession through Windsor, a committal service will be held at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, during which the coffin will be lowered into the royal vault” – where she will rest next to her Prince Philip, who died in 2021.

Queen Elizabeth – “Keep calm and carry on”.