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Queen Elizabeth II died before Prince William, Andrew, Edward, and Sophie Wessex could reach Balmoral

The monarch had already died surrounded by son Charles and daughter Anne before William, Andrew, Edward, and Sophie Wessex arrived at Balmoral

BALMORAL CASTLE, SCOTLAND: Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, September 8, 2022, sending shockwaves across the world. As per reports, the British monarch had already passed before Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Sophie Wessex could reach Balmoral.

According to the Mirror, a plane carrying Prince William, the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex landed at Aberdeen airport at 3.50 pm.
William drove a Range Rover, accompanied by Andrew in the passenger seat and Edward and Sophie in the back.

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As per the outlet, the senior royals arrived at Balmoral Castle after 5 pm, 30 minutes after Prime Minister Liz Truss received the news. The PM was informed about the Queen's death at 4.30 pm, as per her official spokesman, two hours before the Palace shared a public statement. The Queen had hosted the newly elected prime minister on September 7, just hours before her death.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement to confirm the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which read, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

Shortly after, her son Charles was crowned King. He released a statement, saying, "The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family."

The statement further read, "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world," adding, "Furing this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held."

The Queen's health deteriorated on September 8, 2022, after which Buckingham Palace said doctors were worried about her health. In the meantime, several royals arrived at her Scottish residence, which included King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry.

As Britain and the rest of the world mourned the 96 year old's death, tributes poured in from around the globe. Helen Mirren, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film 'The Queen', said, "I am proud to be an Elizabethan. We mourn a woman, who, with or without the crown, was the epitome of nobility."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, "I had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK visits in 2015 and 2018. I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture."

President Joe Biden posted a tribute on Twitter, expressing that the Queen was a "source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons" adding that she was a "stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy."

The late queen was reportedly suffering from ill health and mobility issues for some time now. She carried the rare honor of holding the throne for over 70 years.