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The death of Queen Elizabeth II is being mourned in Britain and around the world. The country’s longest-reigning monarch died Thursday at age 96.
Large crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace in central London, while tributes poured in from across the country and around the world. Fears about the queen's health had been growing as the royal family rushed to Scotland to be by her side after Buckingham Palace said she had been placed under medical supervision.
Few Britons have known another monarch, so the end of Elizabeth’s reign after more than 70 years will thrust the royal family — and Britain — into days of mourning and an uncertain new era.
The country's new king, who will be known as King Charles III, has released a statement and will address the nation Friday.
Royal mourning period to be observed for 7 days after funeral
A period of Royal Mourning will be observed from now until seven days after Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
The date of the funeral has yet to be announced, but will be confirmed "in due course," it said, adding that the period of royal mourning will be observed by members of the royal family, royal household staff and representatives of the royal household on official duties, along with troops committed to ceremonial duties.
Royal residences are also expected to be closed until after the queen's funeral, including the Queen's Gallery and the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, along with the Queen's Gallery in Edinburgh, the statement said.
Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House, the queen's private estates, will also be closed during the mourning period, in addition to Hillsborough Castle in Northern Island, it added.
Early morning scenes at Buckingham Palace
Late night hosts react to Queen Elizabeth Il’s death
China's leader sends condolences to Britain's new king
Chinese President Xi Jinping offered his condolences Friday to King Charles III over the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
In a message sent on behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed "deep condolences" over Elizabeth's death and extended sympathy to the royal family, the government and the British people, said Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency.
Noting that Elizabeth was the first British monarch to visit China, Xi said her death was a great loss to the British public, Xinhua reported.
Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-U.K. relations and that he stands ready to work with Charles, noting that the two countries marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial diplomatic relations this year, the news agency said.
Church bells to toll across England on Friday
Church bells are expected to toll across England on Friday to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the country’s longest-reigning monarch, who died Thursday at age 96.
The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers is recommending that bells be tolled for one hour starting at noon local time (7 a.m. ET), the Church of England said.
“The death of the Sovereign is one of the rare occasions when fully muffled bells are sounded — a technique to create an echo by fitting pads to both sides of the bell clapper,” the Church of England said in a statement.
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken: Queen Elizabeth was a source of unity
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he and the American people are extending their deepest sympathies to King Charles III, the royal family and the United Kingdom following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“For more than 70 years — a period during which the United Kingdom and the world witnessed unprecedented change — Queen Elizabeth personified a sense of stability. During a time of tremendous division, she was a source of unity,” Blinken said.
Blinken added in a statement that the queen “was the embodiment of the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.”
“We join people around the world in mourning her passing, and we will forever be inspired by the memory of her service, leadership, and friendship,” he said.
Many other top government officials, heads of state and world leaders have expressed condolences following the death of the queen.
A moment to remember
Photo Gallery: The life and times of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth’s death revives criticism of Britain’s legacy of colonialism
As the death Thursday of Queen Elizabeth II prompted an outpouring of grief from millions around the world, it also revived criticism of her legacy, highlighting the complicated feelings of those who saw her as a symbol of the British colonial empire — an institution that enriched itself through violence, theft and oppression.
“If anyone expects me to express anything but disdain for the monarch who supervised a government that sponsored the genocide that massacred and displaced half my family and the consequences of which those alive today are still trying to overcome, you can keep wishing upon a star,” Obianuju Anya, an associate professor of second language acquisition at Carnegie Mellon University, tweeted Thursday afternoon.
Her tweet had been retweeted more than 10,000 times and had garnered nearly 38,000 likes by Thursday evening. Anya did not immediately respond to requests for an interview made by phone and through Twitter.
Matthew Smith, a professor of history at University College London who directs the Center for the Study of the Legacies of British Slave-ownership, said: “The reactions indicate the complicated and mixed relationship that people have had with the British monarchy, people in the Commonwealth and particularly in the Caribbean.