FirstFT: Queen Elizabeth II has died

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, has died, leaving her individuals in mourning however reflecting on a lifetime of obligation wherein she sure the nation collectively by 70 years of momentous change.

Her demise, on the age of 96, was introduced by Buckingham Palace at 6.30pm BST on Thursday. It marked a watershed second within the lifetime of the nation, leaving it with out its “matriarch”.

The Prince of Wales was at her bedside at Balmoral, her beloved citadel within the Scottish Highlands, together with different members of the royal household. In the intervening time of her passing, her son became King Charles III.

The brand new King stated his mom’s demise was a second of “the best disappointment for me and all members of my household”. He stated the household can be “comforted and sustained” by the respect and affection felt in direction of the Queen in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth.

Flags throughout the nation flew at half mast, whereas at Westminster a band performed “God Save the King”. As nightfall fell, 1000’s of individuals amassed outdoors Buckingham Palace to pay tribute.

World leaders have shared their condolences from around the globe. Authorities representatives for Australia within the UK stated residents in each international locations have been “united of their grief”. India’s prime minister Narendra Modi stated he was “pained” by the demise of the Queen, saying she can be remembered as a “stalwart of our occasions”.

We remember the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her seven decades of service here.

Go to FT.com for the latest developments following the Queen’s passing.

Learn extra:

• The Queen was a permanent image of id, a pivot round which her nation modified maybe much more profoundly than throughout the reign of her long-lived great-great-grandmother, Victoria, writes our editorial board.

• In a nation beset by financial troubles, scarred by the polarisation of its politics and unsure of its place on the earth, the Queen was a vital anchor, Philip Stephens writes.

What did Queen Elizabeth II imply to you? Share your ideas with us at [email protected]. Thanks for studying FirstFT Asia. — Emily

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3. ECB raises charges by 75 foundation factors The transfer by the European Central Financial institution, which was unanimously backed by all 25 members of the governing council and matches the ECB’s earlier greatest enhance in borrowing prices, lifts the financial institution’s benchmark deposit price from zero to 0.75 per cent — the highest level since 2011. ECB president Christine Lagarde added that there can be “a number of” price rises within the coming month.

4. Ukraine claims vital features in counter-offensive Ukraine claimed to have regained territory in its jap areas within the most successful counter-attacks since troops repelled an assault on Kyiv and the north-east by Russian forces within the first months of the struggle.

5. Liz Truss unveils £150bn UK vitality plan The dramatic state intervention to defend Britain from hovering vitality prices was accompanied by guarantees to extend home oil and fuel manufacturing, restart fracking for shale fuel and reform the vitality market. The plan, nonetheless, consists of simply six months’ cowl for enterprise in contrast with two years for households.

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Queen Elizabeth II: a life in footage

Discover these enduring images of the journey to the throne and the service of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch