Australia has joined much of the world in mourning Queen Elizabeth II, as her death prompts the first change in head of state in more than seven decades.
A statement from Buckingham Palace early on Friday (AEST) confirmed the 96-year-old’s death.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said.
“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the Queen, who is succeeded by her son King Charles III in a move that is expected to renew Australia’s republican debate.
“An historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.
“The government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the royal family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother – the person whom for so long was their greatest inner strength.”
Flags are flying at half mast across Australia, and while the country is not expected to observe an official mourning period for the Queen, a national memorial is expected.
The Prime Minister and Governor-General David Hurley are expected to travel to London for the Queen’s funeral.
Condolence books are being made available for Australians to sign in various states and territories.
Charles immediately became King under constitutional law, when his mother died in Scotland. A formal coronation might not happen for some time.
Mr Albanese said that “from her famous first trip to Australia, the only reigning sovereign to ever visit, it was clear Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia”.
“Fifteen more tours before cheering crowds in every part of our country confirmed the special place she held in ours.”
The Queen visited Queensland on many occasions and was on the Sunshine Coast as recently as 2002 when she attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Hyatt Regency Coolum.
Mr Albanese praised the Queen’s relationship with Australia and the rest of the world.
“As monarch for more than half the life of our Federation, the relationship between Australia and Britain matured and evolved throughout Her Majesty’s reign,” he said.
“The Queen greeted each and every change with understanding, good grace and an abiding faith in the Australian people’s good judgment.
“This was the deft and diplomatic way she bound the diversity of the modern Commonwealth, nations around the world who will mourn her passing.
“This time of mourning will pass but the deep respect and warm regard in which Australians always held Her Majesty will never fade.”
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was queen of the UK and 14 Commonwealth realms including Australia, since her reign began in February 1952.
Mr Hurley said Australians should take inspiration from the Queen’s contribution.
“She was a truly remarkable person,” he said in a statement.
“When I reflect on my own memories – she was my Queen for my whole life – I think of Her Majesty’s dignity and her compassion. Her dedication and tireless work ethic. And her selflessness and unwavering commitment to the people that she served. To us.”
Federal opposition leader Peter Dutton was thankful for the Queen’s dedicated service.
“Today, a comforting warmth has left the world. One of humanity’s brightest lights has gone out,” he said.
Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Philip Freier, said the Queen was much admired and respected by millions of people across the nation.
“As frequent visitor to Australia the Queen had a special place in the hearts of Australians and she leaves behind a truly extraordinary legacy, having touched the lives of so many,” he said.
The Queen’s death is certain to reignite Australia’s republic debate.
Australian Republican Movement chair Peter FitzSimons expressed sadness over the Queen’s death.
“It is unlikely we will ever see a monarch as respected or admired by the Australian people again,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Monarchists said King Charles has been training his entire life for the role.
“Australians can take comfort in the knowledge that their new king will unequivocally continue the longstanding traditions, dutiful service and vital constitutional role which epitomised our late Queen,” Australian Monarchist League chair Philip Benwell said.
Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt tweeted his respects to the royal family but added “Australia must move forward”.
“We need treaty with First Nations people, and we need to become a republic,” he wrote.
An affinity with Australia
The head of the Commonwealth can’t be seen to have a favourite country, any more than a parent can have a pet son or daughter.
But Australians always nurtured a sneaking suspicion that they were the Queen’s best-loved children, certainly outside her native Britain.
Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning monarch to visit Australian shores in 1954, just months after her coronation.
Her ties Down Under were long and strong; her grandfather opened Australia’s first parliament in Melbourne in 1901.
She made the long-haul journey no fewer than 16 times in her 70-year reign.
The Queen visited Queensland on eight occasions and was on the Sunshine Coast as recently as 2002, when she and Prince Philip stayed at Twin Waters.
During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Queen booked an overwater lagoon suite at Novotel Twin Waters Resort.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson issued a statement on Friday, expressing condolences on behalf of the community.
“Sunshine Coast Council, and the residents we represent, today mourn the passing of our much-loved and respected monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” he said via a statement. “We acknowledge her long life of dedication to duty and service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“Many of us will remember with great fondness her visit to the Sunshine Coast in 2002 to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.”
“Her Majesty embodied and exemplified the principles of public service, compassion and care for everyone she met and her enduring sense of purpose in promoting goodwill, respect and tolerance.”“At this sad time and significant point in history, we extend our deepest condolences to His Majesty the King and the Royal Family and give thanks for the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will send condolences on behalf of Queensland to Buckingham Palace.
“It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” she said.
“Queen Elizabeth was loved and respected, and represented all that was dignified and positive in the Royal Family.
“Her Majesty was a constant reminder of the true meaning of service, integrity and courage, and she was admired around the world, especially here in Queensland.”
How Australia will observe the Queen’s death
Today
* The governor-general announced the death of Her Majesty The Queen, following advice from Buckingham Palace.
* The prime minister will issue a public statement on television and suspend parliament.
* A gun salute will take place at Parliament House in Canberra at dusk to mark the Queen’s death. It will consist of one round for each year of The Queen’s life at 10 second intervals.
This weekend
- A proclamation ceremony will be held at Parliament House in Canberra. This event is open to the public, subject to any public health restrictions in force at the time.
- The governor-general will read the proclamation on the forecourt of Parliament House. The proclamation will be followed by a 21-gun salute.
- In Australia, there will not be an official mourning period.
- The Australian national flag should be flown at half‑mast until after the day of the funeral in the UK. Direction will be provided to raise the flag for the proclamation.
- Condolence books will be available at Parliament House and Government House in Canberra. Books of condolence will also be open at Government Houses in each state. An online condolence form will also been established on the governor-general and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet websites.
- In Canberra, floral tributes may be left at the forecourt of Parliament House and Government House. Each state and territory will make local arrangements for floral tributes. The royal family have noted that instead of leaving floral tributes, Australians may wish to consider making a donation to a charity of their choice.
To be determined
- The funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will be held at Westminster Abbey attended by Australian representatives.
- A national memorial service will be held following the return of the prime minister and governor-general from London.
- States and territories may hold additional memorial services.
- A national day of mourning is declared by the prime minister, coinciding with the national memorial service. One minute’s silence will be observed at 11am.
- Condolence motions will be given in both the House of Representatives and the Senate on their next respective sitting days following the national memorial service.
A timeline of the Queen’s life and reign
- The Queen had a long and eventful reign as Britain’s monarch, which began following the death of her father King George VI in 1952.
- April 21, 1926 – Elizabeth was born at 2.40am at 17 Bruton Street, London, and christened on May 29 at Buckingham Palace.
- December 11, 1936 – She became heir apparent, aged 10, when her uncle Edward VIII abdicated and her father became King George VI.
- November 20, 1947 – She married navy lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, a Greek Prince, at London’s Westminster Abbey. They had four children: Prince Charles (born in 1948), Princess Anne(1950), Prince Andrew (1960) and Prince Edward (1964).
- February 1952 – Princess Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip set out on a tour of Africa and Asia in place of her ailing father, King George VI. News of the king’s death reaches her in Kenya on February 6, meaning she is the first sovereign in more than 200 years to accede to the throne while abroad.
- June 2, 1953 – Queen Elizabeth II is crowned at Westminster Abbey in the first televised coronation service.
- November 24, 1953 – The Queen’s first Commonwealth tour begins covering a distance of 70,196 kilometres.
- 1970 – During a visit to New Zealand, the Queen introduces the “walkabout”, a meet-the-people tactic for royal tours.
- 1977 – The Queen marks her Silver Jubilee – 25 years as monarch – with a tour of Commonwealth countries and lavish celebrations in Britain.
- 1981 – Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer in a glittering ceremony.
- 1982 – Charles and Diana’s first child, Prince William, is born on June 21. Prince Harry is born two years later.
- 1986 – Prince Andrew marries publishing executive Sarah Ferguson, known as “Fergie”. The couple become the Duke and Duchess of York.
- 1991 – The Queen tours the United States and becomes the first monarch to address Congress.
- 1992 – Her 40th year on the throne, which she calls her “annus horribilis” (horrible year), is marked by marital upsets and public dissent.
- Andrew and Sarah separate. Anne divorces Mark Phillips.
- In November, Windsor Castle is badly damaged by fire. The Queen agrees to pay income tax.
- In December, Charles and Diana announce their separation.
- August 1996 – Charles and Diana are divorced.
- August 31, 1997 – Diana and her millionaire companion Dodi al-Fayed are killed when their car crashes while being chased through Paris by photographers on motorcycles. The Queen and the royal family are criticised for their reserved response.
- In November, the Queen and Philip mark their golden wedding anniversary. In a frank speech, the Queen acknowledges that monarchies survive only through public support.
- February 9, 2002 – The Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, dies at 71 after a life of glamour and heartbreak.
- March 30 – Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, dies at Windsor Castle aged 101.
Queen Elizabeth II riding in the Gold State Coach for a service of thanksgiving to celebrate to her Golden Jubilee. Picture: AAP. - June 1-4 – Four days of nationwide celebrations mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
2005 – Son and heir Prince Charles marries Camilla Parker Bowles at a civil ceremony in Windsor. - April 29, 2011 – The Queen attends the wedding of her grandson Prince William and Kate Middleton.
- May – The Queen makes four-day state visit to Ireland, the first by a British monarch since Ireland won its independence from London in 1921.
- 2012 – The Diamond Jubilee to mark her 60th year on the throne sees four days of celebrations in June along with a nationwide tour.
- 2013 – Prince William’s wife Kate gives birth to son Prince George. Their second child, Princess Charlotte is born in 2015 and their younger brother Prince Louis is born in 2018.
June 23-26, 2014 – The Queen embarks on what was her last foreign state visit to Germany. - On September 9, at about 5.30pm UK time, Elizabeth becomes the nation’s longest-reigning monarch overtaking her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.
April 21, 2016 – The Queen celebrates her 90th birthday, the first British monarch to reach such a milestone. - August 2 , 2017 – Philip bows out of public life after 65 years of supporting his wife.
November 20 – The Queen and Philip celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with a private party at Windsor Castle. - 2018 – The Queen’s grandson Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle, a divorced US actress from Los Angeles, at a star-studded wedding at Windsor Castle.
- October 2019 – A family row between William and Harry becomes public, with the younger prince confirming the rumours of a rift.
- November 15 – Prince Andrew gives a disastrous interview to BBC TV in an attempt to draw a line under a sex scandal. Days later he is forced to step down from royal duties over his links to the disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was jailed in 2008 for child sex offences.
- January 2020 – Harry and Meghan announce they will no longer be working members of the royal family. They move to Los Angeles in March.
- April 5 – The Queen makes only the fifth special televised broadcast of her reign to rally the nation amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
- April 9, 2021 – Philip, the Queen’s husband of 73 years, dies peacefully aged 99 at Windsor Castle.
- October 20 – The Queen spends a night in hospital for the first time in years for what Buckingham Palace termed “preliminary investigations”.
- November 30 – Barbados becomes a republic, meaning the Queen is now the head of state of just 15 realms.
- January 13, 2022 – Buckingham Palace says Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military links and royal patronages and will no longer be known as “His Royal Highness” as he defends a US lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre who said the royal sexually abused her when she was a teenager.
- February 6 – The Queen marks her 70th year on the throne, using the occasion to give her blessing to Charles’s second wife Camilla being called Queen Consort when he becomes king.
- February 15 – Prince Andrew pays an undisclosed sum to settle the US lawsuit, but admits no wrongdoing.
- February 20 – The Queen tests positive for COVID-19 and is said to be suffering from mild cold-like symptoms. She soon returns to official duties.
September 8 – The Queen dies peacefully at Balmoral Castle aged 96.
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