Queen Elizabeth II Dead at 96: King Charles III and More Royal Family Members React

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Queen Elizabeth II Dead at 96: King Charles III and More Royal Family Members React

Everlasting love. King Charles III, Prince Harry and more members of the royal family paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her death. Buckingham Palace confirmed the queen’s death on Thursday, September 8, saying in a statement that she "died peacefully" at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. News of the sovereign’s passing comes after Elizabeth chose to stay in Scotland to formally appoint Britain’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, instead of returning to Windsor Castle due to "mobility issues." Days after the ceremony, Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty's medical team put her under "supervision" amid her declining health. Prince William, Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla, and Harry all traveled to Balmoral, Scotland, to be with the monarch on September 8. More than a year before her death, Prince Philip was laid to rest in April 2021 at the age of 99. A source exclusively told Us at the time that the queen, who met Philip when she was just 13 years old in 1939, was “heartbroken” over her husband's death, whom she wed in 1947. “Elizabeth has found it cathartic to soak up all the well-wishes and tributes to the man she loved unconditionally for countless decades,” a second insider told Us after Philip’s passing. “Seeing how many lives he touched has been nothing short of extraordinary.” Elizabeth, who was the longest-reigning monarch in U.K. history, mourned her husband’s death for eight days in accordance with tradition but took a pause to briefly return to work on April 13, 2021, to host a retirement ceremony for her former Lord Chamberlain, The Earl Peel. She didn’t step out in public again until the Duke of Edinburgh’s April 17 funeral. [jwplayer eNyiibWB-zhNYySv2] “The queen has been amazing,” daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex told The Sun following Philip’s death. Sophie, 57, also noted that the monarch is “thinking of others before herself.” Elizabeth — who was crowned queen in 1953 one year after her father King George VI’s untimely death — continued to perform her duties until the end. “Her emotions are very raw right now, but the queen knows Philip would hate it if she sat around moping for the rest of her years,” a source told Us in April 2021 of the monarch’s intent to continue to serve the public following her 95th birthday. “He would have wanted her to look after herself first and foremost instead and she intends to do her best.” Her final few years were plagued by drama within the royal family as her grandson Harry and Meghan stepped back from their senior royal duties in March 2020 and relocated to California. The couple spoke out against The Firm during a CBS tell-all interview in March 2021, which caused an even bigger rift within the family, especially between Harry and his father, 73, and brother, 40. Through it all, the queen maintained a close relationship with Harry, who she had a “soft spot” for, according to a source, and the rest of her loved ones. Elizabeth is survived by her four children, Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, her eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Scroll down to see how the royals honored the late queen: [podcast_block]

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Queen Elizabeth II Dead at 96: King Charles III and More Royal Family Members React

Everlasting love. King Charles III, Prince Harry and more members of the royal family paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her death. Buckingham Palace confirmed the queen’s death on Thursday, September 8, saying in a statement that she "died peacefully" at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. News of the sovereign’s passing comes after Elizabeth chose to stay in Scotland to formally appoint Britain’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, instead of returning to Windsor Castle due to "mobility issues." Days after the ceremony, Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty's medical team put her under "supervision" amid her declining health. Prince William, Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla, and Harry all traveled to Balmoral, Scotland, to be with the monarch on September 8. More than a year before her death, Prince Philip was laid to rest in April 2021 at the age of 99. A source exclusively told Us at the time that the queen, who met Philip when she was just 13 years old in 1939, was “heartbroken” over her husband's death, whom she wed in 1947. “Elizabeth has found it cathartic to soak up all the well-wishes and tributes to the man she loved unconditionally for countless decades,” a second insider told Us after Philip’s passing. “Seeing how many lives he touched has been nothing short of extraordinary.” Elizabeth, who was the longest-reigning monarch in U.K. history, mourned her husband’s death for eight days in accordance with tradition but took a pause to briefly return to work on April 13, 2021, to host a retirement ceremony for her former Lord Chamberlain, The Earl Peel. She didn’t step out in public again until the Duke of Edinburgh’s April 17 funeral. [jwplayer eNyiibWB-zhNYySv2] “The queen has been amazing,” daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex told The Sun following Philip’s death. Sophie, 57, also noted that the monarch is “thinking of others before herself.” Elizabeth — who was crowned queen in 1953 one year after her father King George VI’s untimely death — continued to perform her duties until the end. “Her emotions are very raw right now, but the queen knows Philip would hate it if she sat around moping for the rest of her years,” a source told Us in April 2021 of the monarch’s intent to continue to serve the public following her 95th birthday. “He would have wanted her to look after herself first and foremost instead and she intends to do her best.” Her final few years were plagued by drama within the royal family as her grandson Harry and Meghan stepped back from their senior royal duties in March 2020 and relocated to California. The couple spoke out against The Firm during a CBS tell-all interview in March 2021, which caused an even bigger rift within the family, especially between Harry and his father, 73, and brother, 40. Through it all, the queen maintained a close relationship with Harry, who she had a “soft spot” for, according to a source, and the rest of her loved ones. Elizabeth is survived by her four children, Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, her eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Scroll down to see how the royals honored the late queen: [podcast_block]

Credit: Danny Lawson/AP/Shutterstock

Prince Andrew

“Dear Mummy, Mother, Your Majesty, three in one. Your Majesty, it has been an honor and privilege to serve you,” the Duke of York said in a September 18 statement. “Mother — of the nation, your devotion and personal service to our nation is unique and singular; your people show their love and respect in so many different ways and I know you are looking on honoring their respect.”

He added: “Mummy, your love for a son, your compassion, your care, your confidence I will treasure forever. I have found your knowledge and wisdom infinite, with no boundary or containment. … I will miss your insights, advice and humor. As our book of experiences closes, another opens, and I will forever hold you close to my heart with my deepest love and gratitude, and I will tread gladly into the next with you as my guide.”

Credit: Rupert Hartley/Shutterstock

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's daughters spoke out on September 17, just hours before they stood vigil with the queen's other grandchildren by the queen's coffin in Westminster Hall. Eugenie shared a lengthy letter to their “dearest Grannie” via Instagram alongside a photo of them as children with their grandma.

"For now dear Grannie, all we want to say is thank you," they wrote. "Thank you for making us laugh, for including us, for picking heather and raspberries, for marching soldiers, for our teas, for comfort, for joy. You, being you, will never know the impact you have had on our family and so many people around the world."

They added: "The world mourns you and the tributes would really make you smile. They are all too true of the remarkable leader you are. We’re so happy you’re back with Grandpa. Goodbye dear Grannie, it has been the honour of our lives to have been your granddaughters and we’re so very proud of you."

Credit: Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Shutterstock

Prince Edward

“As a family, we have grown up learning to share our parents, especially our beloved mama, with the Nation, her Realms and the Commonwealth,” the queen and Philip’s youngest son wrote in a September 16 Instagram statement. “While it has been lovely to have spent time saying our own farewell privately at Balmoral, it is now time to allow others to be able to say their farewell.”

The Earl of Wessex added: “The Queen’s passing has left an unimaginable void in all our lives. Sophie and I have taken huge pleasure in seeing our [children] James and Louise enjoying the places and activities that their grandparents loved so much. Given that my mama let us spend so much time with her, I think she also rather enjoyed watching those passions blossom. Those times together, those happy memories, have now become massively precious to each and every one of us.”

Credit: Jacob King/AP/Shutterstock

Princess Anne

"I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life. It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting," the Princess Royal wrote in a touching statement shared via the royal family Instagram on September 13. "We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss."

She continued: "We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted. I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch. To my mother, The Queen, thank you."

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

King Charles

The Prince of Wales, who ascended the throne after his mother's death, was the first member of the family to speak out about their loss.

“The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” His Majesty wrote in a Thursday statement. “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Prince William

“On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute,” the Duke of Cambridge shared about his “Grannie” via his and Duchess Kate’s joint Instagram account on Saturday, September 10. “So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.”

He continued: “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. … She was by my side at my happiest moments and she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real.”

Credit: Matt Dunham/AP/Shutterstock

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Shortly after Elizabeth's death was confirmed, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid tribute to their legacy via their official Archewell organization. "In Loving Memory of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," a statement on the website read along with the years of her life.

“[Windsor Castle is] a lonely place up there now without her,” the Duke of Sussex later mused during his Saturday walkabout with William, Meghan and Kate. “Every room she was in, you felt her presence throughout.”

In a lengthier statement, Harry celebrated his late grandmother's "unwavering grace and dignity" throughout her decades of service. "Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: 'Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.' ... You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honor my father in his new role as King Charles III," he wrote on September 12. 

Credit: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Sarah Ferguson

“I am heartbroken by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen,” Ferguson, who was previously married to  Andrew, tweeted on Thursday. “She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: the most fantastic example of duty and service and steadfastness, and a constant steadying presence as our head of state for more than 60 years.”

She continued: “I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me in remaining close to me even after my divorce,” she shared. “I will miss her more than words can express.”

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Mozzi, who wed Andrew and Ferguson's daughter Princess Beatrice in July 2020, was equally heartbroken to learn about the late regent's death.

"Incredibly hard to process the last 24 hours. What an incredible woman and extraordinary mark she’s left on the entire world. She was the rock on which modern Britain was built," he wrote via Instagram. "Feeling very lucky that our little ones got to spend wonderful time with her this summer. Rest in Peace Your Majesty. We will miss you so much. Brokenhearted 💔."