Elizabeth II’s death at the age of 96 marks the beginning of a tumultuous 10 days in the United Kingdom, during which a queen will be buried, a nation will mourn its longest-reigning monarch, and a new king will be proclaimed.
Within hours, Prince Charles, Elizabeth’s eldest child, will be formally proclaimed king in a ceremony that dates back hundreds of years. At the age of 73, he is the oldest monarch in British history.
Flags will be flown at half mast as the country enters a state of mourning. Normal politics will be put on hold as tributes pour in from all over the world. The Queen’s coffin will be placed in Westminster Hall in London prior to her state funeral, which will be marked by a public holiday.
Queen Elizabeth, a global icon recognizable by billions of people, died on Thursday.
Buckingham announced on Thursday that she had died peacefully at the age of 96.
According to the Guardian, her eldest son, Charles, 73, will take over as king immediately.