Britain's Queen Elizabeth II "died peacefully" on Thursday, Sept. 8, at Balmoral Castle, the British royal family's estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. She was 96.
Elizabeth was Britain's longest-reigning monarch. She ascended to the throne in 1952 and, in June, celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years as queen.
The doors of Westminster Hall have now been opened to the public to allow people to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth as she lies in state.
Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it Lies in State inside Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
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Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it Lies in State inside Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster in London on Sept. 14, 2022.
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People queue to pay respect to the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II after the procession arrived at Westminster Hall from Buckingham Palace for her lying in state, in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
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Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II at the Palace of Westminster, London, Sept. 15, 2022.
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Lines have been forming for the last 24 hours as Londoners hope to get the chance to walk by the queen's casket.
The last member of the royal family to lie in state at Westminster Hall was Queen Elizabeth’s mother, who died in 2002.
Sep 14, 2022, 10:42 AM EDT
Biden calls King Charles, offers condolences
President Joe Biden spoke Wednesday with King Charles III to offer his condolences, according to a statement from the White House.
King Charles III walks behind the coffin during the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
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King Charles III walks in a procession behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 14, 2022, in London.
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Britain's King Charles III, Britain's Prince William, Britain's Princess Anne, salute alongside Britain's Prince Andrew, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, is carried into the Palace of Westminster, following a procession from Buckingham Palace, in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
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Biden hopes "to continue a close relationship with the King," the statement said.
"The President recalled fondly the Queen’s kindness and hospitality, including when she hosted him and the First Lady at Windsor Castle last June,” the statement said. "He also conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the Queen, whose dignity and constancy deepened the enduring friendship and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom."
Queen Elizabeth II's flag-draped coffin is taken in procession on a Gun Carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
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Members of the armed forces help carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
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Sep 14, 2022, 10:11 AM EDT
Procession from Buckingham Palace ends at Westminster Hall
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin has arrived at Westminster Hall following a procession from Buckingham Palace.
A general view as King Charles III, Princess Anne, Princess Royal and Camilla, Queen Consort view the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II being laid to rest in Westminster Hall for the Lying-in State on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
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The royal family will now take part in a brief service.
Then Westminster Hall will open to the public to allow people to pay respects to the queen.
Prince Harry, the Earl of Snowdon, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, Kate, Princess of Wales and Prince William follow the bearer party carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into Westminster Hall, London, Sept. 14, 2022.
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People gather to watch the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth being transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for her lying in state, in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
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Sep 14, 2022, 9:30 AM EDT
Queen’s children, grandsons walk behind coffin
Queen Elizabeth’s four children -- King Charles, Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward -- are walking directly behind the coffin during the procession.
The coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II makes its way along The Mall during the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
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Prince William, Prince of Wales, Vice Admiral, Sir Timothy Lawrence, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Mr Peter Phillips, King Charles III, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex walk behind the coffin during the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
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Walking behind the queen’s children are: William, the Princes of Wales; his brother Harry, the Duke of Sussex; and the brothers’ cousin, Peter Phillips. This marked the second time since the queen’s death that Princes William and Harry were seen in public together amid reports of tension between the brothers.
Britain's King Charles III, Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, pulled by a Gun Carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during a procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster, in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
Daniel Leal/Pool via AFP/Getty Images
William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry march during a procession where the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth is transported from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament for her lying in state, in London, Sept. 14, 2022.
Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters
Several spouses of the children and grandchildren are traveling by car: Camilla, the Queen Consort; Kate, the Princess of Wales; Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex; and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.
The coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II makes its way along The Mall during the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Members of the queen's close personal staff are also participating in the procession.
Londoners have lined the route and were seen wiping away tears as they watched the slow and solemn procession.
Big Ben is tolling at one-minute intervals and minute guns are firing from Hyde Park.
Mourners gather to watch the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II at the Hyde Park screening site on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
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Members of the Royal Air Force are seen on parade during the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
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Coldstream Guards outside Buckingham Palace, ahead of the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Sept. 14, 2022 in London.
