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CNN Live Event/Special

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II Dies At 96; Charles Becomes King; Highs and Lows of Queen Elizabeth II; Commonwealth Leaders Mourn the Queen. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired September 09, 2022 - 01:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[01:00:44]

BECK ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello I'm Becky Anderson in Buckingham Palace in London. It's 6:00 a.m. here in the UK where people are waking up with a profound sense of loss. For the first time in more than seven decades the country is without its queen, a period of mourning now underway for Britain's longest reigning monarch, Elizabeth II. You may be able to hear the noise around me as preparations are underway for this next 10 days to two-week period. Flags being hung around as these are images from Buckingham Palace where crowds have been gathering throughout what has been a rainy night in London.

Memorials to her late majesty, the flowers, candles and personal messages outside the royal Browns, symbols of the country's immense grief now decorate the gates of Windsor Castle, as well as Balmoral the Queen's beloved Scottish Highland retreat is where she passed away peacefully at the age of 96, just two days after appointing her 15th Prime Minister, while appearing very frail.

Elizabeth II coronation happened in 1953. No date has been set yet to the coronation of her eldest son. The new king, Charles III is expected to give a televised address in the coming hours. The king released this statement earlier, quote, 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. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much loved mother.

CNN's Nada Bashir is also here with me at Buckingham Palace. We begin our coverage with Nic Robertson who is live in Inverness in Scotland. And Nick, the Queen died at her Scottish residence Balmoral surrounded by her close family. How did the nation learn the news?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIOANL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: It was a little bit slow, and I think the public will left to join the dots a little. Through the day, it began to become clearer how grave the situation was, but it really began with an announcement of the Queen's medical condition.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE) ROBERTSON (voice-over): It was an alarming statement from Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth was ailing it warned. The 96-year-old Monarch under medical supervision at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland, after doctors became concerned.

As members of the royal family rushed from across the country to be by her side, at the home the queen had said she loved most. Harry, the Duke of Sussex, arrived separately without his wife Meghan. While public figures conveyed well wishes the world waited for news.

Hours of silence from the palace, though hinted at the greatness of the situation, and an uneasiness settled over London, as crowds of well-wishers braved heavy rain to gather at the gates of Buckingham Palace.

The queen was last seen publicly on Tuesday, when she formally invited Liz Truss to become British Prime Minister carrying out this constitutional duty for the 15th time during her reign. But this time at Balmoral.

She was pictured with her characteristics smile but looked frail. In the early evening, accompanied by a rainbow over Windsor Castle, met with flags lowered to half-staff. The announcement came. Queen Elizabeth died peacefully at Balmoral, the royal family said.

[01:05:05]

LIZ TRUSS, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built. She was the very spirit of Great Britain, and that spirit will endure.

ROBERTSON: The new king paid tribute to his mother, saying her death was a moment of greatest sadness for me, and all members of my family.

As head of the Commonwealth, the Queen held together 15 nations in an increasingly problematic union. How 73-year-old King Charles III will fare in the position, which lasted largely due to fondness for his mother is unclear.

A resolute and reassuring figure who had for 70 years been a constant presence. Queen Elizabeth one almost universal praise for her steadfast dedication to duty, and was considered by many to be a guiding light to the nation and the world.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

ROBERTSON: And the nation will begin to come to terms with the loss today. Yesterday was really the message that it was bad news was coming. And the bad news came and people have come out to show their feelings and to lay flowers both here in Scotland at Balmoral and in London at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Today, I think we'll see more of that. I think we'll see more of the outpouring of people's emotions and feelings. It really is such a shock. 80 percent of the population of this country have only ever lived under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. This will be a different day now under the reign of King Charles III.

But it's going to take some coming to terms with and I think that's the reality of this morning as people wake up and go to work and see a notice the change and feel the difference. This this is how I think the day will begin.

ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is in Inverness in Scotland as we look at the Union flag at half-mast flags across this nation and across the Commonwealth flying at half-mast in memory of Queen Elizabeth II. Nic standby.

Nada, I'd like to bring you in at this point tributes pouring in following the death as Queen Elizabeth II, and the British nation also coming to terms. As Nic rightly said, with the death of a monarch that they will only have known she's been on the throne for 70 years. Many people here in the UK will simply have known nobody else.

NADA BASHIR, CNN REPORTER: Absolutely Becky and for so many people through so much turmoil to political chaos, to crisis that the nation has faced over the last 70 years. The Queen has been a real symbol of stability of continuity and a real rock really for the nation. And we saw that outpouring of grief yesterday and the announcement that the Queen had passed. Crowds gathering dust behind us outside Buckingham Palace laid flowers waiting in the rain, even in terrible weather all through the night to express their sadness to stand together in mourning for the queen.

We saw London black cab drivers lining up the streets of the mountain just up the road that spread across the country. Also we've seen its flowers being laid outside her other residences. And we saw that in Windsor yesterday. In fact, my colleague Scott McLean was there. He spoke to people in Windsor and they were all deeply saddened by her passing. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP0

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's very sad moment forever, but in England, we are very sad.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was just very big part of our history and our monarchy just a very big part of our lives growing up.

UNIDETNIFIED FEMALE: She's been the only Queen I've ever known and I can't believe it's happened so quickly.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's been here all my life it will be very, very, very difficult being without her. We all loved her very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASHIR: And you know, we've seen events being canceled now. And that is set to be the trend that we'll see in the coming days as we have more details around the state funeral that is to be held and the state mourning that will take place over the coming days. We've seen some shops even deciding to close in respect of the Queen's passing in her memory. We are likely to see more of that as the country continues to grapple with the news and to mourn the loss of their monarch.

ANDERSON: Nada Bashir is with me here. Outside Buckingham Palace as the sunrises in London, apologies for the sound that you may able to hear.

[01:10:00]

There's an awful lot of preparation going on here. Now, as I said, flags being raised around the area here outside Buckingham Palace as we begin this period of mourning.

Nic, you talked about the succession. You talked about her son, who is now King Charles III, who will take over in a very different area, to that, which his mother began back in 1953. Just describe and explain what happens next.

ROBERTSON: King Charles and the Queen Consort will travel from Balmoral to London today. King Charles expected to meet with the Prime Minister Liz Truss. We're expecting and I think we have to sort of caveat here that there are going to be a lot of events, timings may have changed from what the original plans would have would have been. King Charles has -- had the opportunity to review plans.

The Queen in her final weeks was also able to fine tune the plans of what may come but there are going to be many, many key events. Today we can expect that church bells across the country from noon local time or around about then perhaps we understand will begin to ring out to begin to mourn the passing of the Queen.

There will be gun salutes in Royal Parks. Parliament will be open today for parliamentarians to come in throughout the day, and to pass and show their respects and feelings and we're expecting as well a prayer service to be held later in the day at St. Paul's.

That's just today. There are other constitutional things that will happen in the coming days as well. There's an Accession Council. Of course King Charles automatically King Charles on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council expected within the coming day or so, will meet and formalize, that King Charles is King Charles there will be a proclamation and this will be transmitted in an in a number of ways and a number of places.

The Queen for now will remain in Balmoral. Her body will go to expect her to go to Edinburgh in a few days time. And after that expected to travel to London where she is expected to lie in state for several days before her funeral. This will be an opportunity for people to be able to come the public to be able to come and pass on show their respects for the queen.

And amongst all of that, there will be many, many other pieces of important constitutional business that King Charles meeting with the representatives of the Church of Scotland and many other of the nation's institutions, all of this important, all of this things that previous kings and queens have done. These are going to be busy days and weeks for the king for for the prime minister in part, but for the country as well to adjust to the change. Becky ANDERSON: Nic, what's the mood like in Scotland?

ROBERTSON: People have been laying flowers at the gates of Balmoral. You know, the Queen was respected and loved in the community there. I think there was a very, I mean, look, all the messages we've had from leaders all around the world have been very touching, but a very sympathetic message from the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, who leads a party that campaigns vociferously for independence from Scotland, talking about how she sent her messages of sympathy and condolence to the royal family at this time of sadness, and spoke as well about how the Queen loved Balmoral that Nicola Sturgeon has had associate been able to witness that firsthand. And she had hoped that the Queen's enjoyment and love of Balmoral work gave some solace to her family that that was there when she passed.

There will undoubtedly be those in Scotland that that feel this monarch, although they bear no grudge against her in person, was not for them, but that they want independence. There are many people in Scotland, however, who don't who value the union.

So I think we're going to see because the Queen was so widely and broadly respected.

[01:15:00]

They're even those that would rather see Scotland on Independence path will still mourn the Queen and mourn her passing. These early hours I think we're going to see a lot in the in the cities across Scotland whether it's in Inverness, here, in the villages around Balmoral in Crathie the village there whether it's in Ballater or Braemar (ph), the villages that are close or Dundee in the East of Scotland, Edinburgh, the capital to Glasgow (ph), all these major cities Aberdeen as well so close to Royal Deeside and Balmoral they will all be mourning the queen as well.

ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is Inverness in Scotland. She was born on April the 21st 1926. Earlier this year, she marked her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne since the death of her father, George VI. During that time, she has seen 14 U.S. presidents, 15 British prime ministers, one of whom Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister says we haven't just lost our monarch, but the matriarch of the nation, while British newspapers are paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth the cover of The Times reads a life in service, saying her reign was defined by an unwavering sense of commitment to her people and her country.

The front page of The Daily Mail says Our hearts are broken. Our grief is 100 different emotions, all of them hard to grasp and the Daily Mirror with a very simple but powerful, Thank you. We will be back in a moment with more on the passing of Queen Elizabeth, then as we go through the break. Here's what it sounded like as church bells told across England after the Queen's death was announced.

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[01:21:10] ANDERSON: Let's save the king. A brief snapshot there of what has been happening outside Buckingham Palace is Britain's mourn the only monarch, most of the known. For many the death of Queen Elizabeth is deeply personal like losing a member of one's own family. She toiled tirelessly on the Commonwealth's behalf for 70 years and she will be sorely missed by so many. Her life as monarch was the fulfillment of a promise she made on her 21st birthday, several years before her coronation have listened.

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QUEEN ELIZABETH II: My whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service, and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Elizabeth Norton is an historian and archaeologist and the author of several books on the monarchy. Thank you for joining us as the sun comes up here in London. The queen, Queen Elizabeth who passed away yesterday, referring their on her 21st birthday to a life of service. And that was ultimately what defined her reign for 70 years, wasn't it?

ELIZABETH NORTON, HISTORIAN AND ARCHAEOLOGIST: It was undoubtedly so. And I suspect nobody realized back in 1952. That was going to be 70 years it was going to be quite such a long life of service. But absolutely she is. She was always renowned for her sense of duty. In fact, I mean, she made her last public duty and two days before her death, which is astounding.

ANDERSON: That was when she met and appointed the 15th prime minister during her reign, Liz Truss in Balmoral. She didn't look well, at the time. And perhaps it was less of a surprise then when the nation learns that the royal family were concerned about her health before she passed away yesterday.

Let's go back. Let's go back to 1926. The year of Queen Elizabeth's birth, what was going on there? And what sort of world do we live in now? How has it changed?

NORTON: I mean, it's changed immeasurably. She was of course born into a world where Queen Victoria had only been dead for 25 years. It's a world before the second World War. You know, there are motorcars, but only just it's a massive change. And of course she wasn't born to be queen. So she was born to live the life of a noble woman as her family had done in the past. And the world has just changed. And she has always been a constant I would say throughout the new century since her birth,

ANDERSON: As I understand it, she wasn't born to be queen and she had hoped that she would perhaps marry a farmer, live in the countryside, have her dogs or horses around but that all changed of course, on the death of her father and in 1953 she was coronated as queen here. This has been a defining era hasn't it? How? NORTON: It absolutely has been and there was hope when she became queen that we will see new Elizabethton age, so harkening back to Elizabeth I and sort of the glories of her reign with exploration, culture.

[01:25:08]

And I think, Elizabeth II reign has matched this and perhaps even surpassed it. It's been absolutely finding, of course, she's had 15 prime ministers and there's been such change the end of the Empire. The growth really of the Commonwealth and sort of a globalized series of corporation, which is headed by was, of course, headed by the Queen. And she was the common factor that found these nations together. And it's been such a change defining era, and the world that she leaves behind is very, very different to that, that she found when she --

ANDERSON: 15 prime ministers, 14 presidents, 13 of whom she met person, I think it was, Lyndon Johnson was the only prime minister -- the only president that she didn't meet. The country that King Charles III, now takes over, as you have rightly pointed out, is a very different country at a very different time. When you look back on the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II and what she did for the royal family, what are your thoughts?

NORTON: So she has brought the royal family into a new era. And it's been rocky and it's been difficult. There have been moments where the royal family has looked a bit like it's in trouble so the 1990s. There's, of course, the fire at Windsor Castle, which was devastating for the queen, the divorces her children, the death of Princess Diana. There were moments earlier on in her reign where it looked very, very difficult for the royal family and yet she has been the constant. There has been scandal but never associated with the queen.

And I think that really is her legacy that she has passed on the monarchy to a new generation, but she is very much not only held it together, but I think it's increased in popularity, particularly in the last few decades.

ANDERSON: Thank you for joining with me here. Well, Queen Elizabeth said there's one decision she considers her biggest regret in her 70- year reign. We'll take a look into that when we continue our coverage. I'm Becky Anderson. You're watching CNN.

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[01:31:54]

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Becky Anderson outside Buckingham Palace in London. You are watching CNN's continuing coverage of the parting of Queen Elizabeth II.

We are expecting to hear from the new British monarch, King Charles III in the hours ahead. At age 73, he will spend nowhere near seven decades on the throne as his mother did.

CNN's Tom Foreman reports now on the Queen's highs and lows.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Coming of age at the end of World War II, with Europe in ruins and her country nearly shattered, there was Elizabeth, a princess just 21 with a birthday pledge for her people.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II, BRITISH MONARCH: I declare before you all, that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.

FOREMAN: On the throne, that patient promise with the help of historic figures such as Winston Churchill, helped her rebuild the nation and would guide her through decades of turmoil.

QUEEN ELIZABETH: We Could never forget those who've died or been injured and their families.

FOREMAN: Whether navigating the troubles of Northern Ireland, the thorny issues of the Falkland War in the early 1980s, or seeing her own family on more recent battlefields the Queen has remained publicly and steadily committed to British allies.

QUEEN ELIZABETH: Talk we will, listen we have to. Disagree from time to time we may, but united we must always remain.

FOREMAN: Over the many years, there have been stumbles. In 1966, a mining disaster in Wales killed more than 100 school children and dozens of adults. The Queen lingered more than a week before visiting, decades later saying that delay was her biggest regret.

In 1992, royal scandals and rapidly failing marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana prompted the Queen to uncharacteristically call it a horrible year.

QUEEN ELIZABETH: It has turned out to be an (INAUDIBLE) horrible year.

FOREMAN: But when Diana died, the stoic queen returned to address the nation's grief.

QUEEN ELIZABETH: She was an exceptional and gifted human being. in good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness.

FOREMAN: Economic troubles, political turmoil, accusations of racism within her family, even the global pandemic, she met it all the same way she met virtually every challenge of her 70-year reign.

QUEEN ELIZABETH: We should take comfort that while we may have more (INAUDIBLE) better days will return. We will be with our friends again. We will be with our families again. We will meet again.

[01:34:46]

FOREMAN: The Queen's restraint may have struck modern audiences as too old-fashioned. But she was a person of her time, the very embodiment of that idea put forward in World War II in England. That saying, "keep calm and carry on."

Tom Foreman, CNN -- Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: For more, joining now from Los Angeles, royal correspondent Sandro Monetti. He has met every U.S. President from the last 70 years.

Sandro, other than Lyndon B. Johnson, statements from the Bidens who described her as defining an era, from the Obamas, from Donald Trump, the Bushes and the Clintons, how would you describe the relationship that Queen Elizabeth II had with the United States?

SANDRO MONETTI, ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: It is ironic that a country that was built on rebellion against the British crown has over the years come to have so much affection for it. No more so I would say than with Queen Elizabeth II.

She has been our constant. I think what fascinates the American people and her approach to power, is that U.S. presidents stay there a maximum of eight years. She was there for 70. That is an incredible time to maintain those approval ratings.

But what it does give you is so much wisdom, so much experience, and you know, she was the leader that the whole world look to with dignity and strength. She was certainly the glue that held my country together and much of the commonwealth. And that is why there has been such an outpouring of respect not just from the public, but from world leaders.

ANDERSON: She was a very private person, but as Tom pointed out in his report there, there were highs and there were lows during that 70-year reign. And there was scandal and controversy. And that has come recently as well. How did Queen Elizabeth II cope with those lows?

MONETTI: Well, she had a glass of gin and Dubonnet every night and when there were those lows she tended to have two, you know, have a little extra strength in the system there.

But, you know, she always found a way, didn't she, because I mentioned before about decisiveness. She has been very firm in her decisions. The buck stopped with here.

And so yes, there have been testing moments but almost always she has risen to the challenge.

ANDERSON: These are difficult times, King Charles III as he is now known takes over a country which is facing a recession, suffering as so many countries are, from the effect of the Ukrainian war with an energy crisis, high cost of living and a royal family and a monarchy which is very much defined by his mother. What can we expect?

MONETTI: It is a turning point in history. And not only do we have a new king, we have a new prime minister. Those two leaders will have to form a very strong team. They are meeting in the next few hours I understand, you know, to chart a path forward, not just for the next few days, but also for the next few years as well.

And so, as we have seen from the tributes and the report, Queen Elizabeth II is going to be a very hard act to follow. And yes, she was able to keep a lid on so many of the troubles. But, the royal family is the greatest soap opera in the world. And sorting out the challenges, in his own royal family will be in the in-tray of King Charles, as well as helping his wider family, the commonwealth.

ANDERSON: Sandro, pleasure having you on, sir. Thank you. Sandro Monetti is in Los Angeles for you.

And we'll have more from London later this hour.

First though let's bring in Michael Holmes who is at CNN Center in Atlanta, Michael.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Becky, Thanks so much. We will check in with you again in a minute.

Meanwhile, people around the world are in mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Coming up after the break, we will get the reaction from some of the monarch's commonwealth world (ph).

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN TRUDEAU, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: She was one of my favorite people in the world. And I will miss her so.

[01:39:38]

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HOLMES: Hello everyone. In Atlanta, I'm Michael Holmes with CNN's continuing coverage of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Now around the world, people are mourning the death of the British monarch including those in commonwealth nations around the world. The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voicing his sadness at the death of the 96-year-old monarch pointing out most Canadians have known no other sovereign.

Trudeau, who first met the Queen as a young boy shared some of his memories of her.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUDEAU: In a complicated world, her steady grace and resolve brought comfort and strength to us all.

Canada is in mourning. She was one of my favorite people in the world. And I will miss her so.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[01:44:59] HOLMES: And in New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was woken early to be given the sad news and knew immediately what had happened. Ardern said quote, "A chapter has closed with the Queens passing."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACINDA ARDERN, NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER: Over her reign, she has come to define notions of service, charity and consistency. Her commitment to her role and to all of us has been without question and unwavering.

She has also demonstrated courage, compassion and humor. A strong memory I will have of her is her laughter. She was extraordinary.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: And joining me now from a couple of those commonwealth nations. Our Angus Watson is in Sydney, Vedika Sud is in Delhi.

Angus, Let's begin with you. and it's interesting, where you are, a growing republican movement in Australia and a prime minister who supports that movement. But, also great love for the Queen in Australia.

ANGUS WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right Michael, almost every Australian has an opinion on this, whether the British monarch should continue as Australia's head of state or whether that role should be filled by an Australian.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese (ph), as you say is of that opinion that Australia should become a republic and has even charged one of his members of parliament to look into Australia's constitutional future.

But, Michael you only have to look at the republican movement here to get a sense of just how respected Queen Elizabeth II was.

There was a referendum on the topic in 1999 and Australians overwhelmingly voted to keep the Queen. The republican movement said it would continue to pursue its goal, but it would not push for another vote until after Queen Elizabeth II had ended her reign.

Now Michael, so Australians have really put that politics aside today as they've mourned the loss of their head of state, who of course served them for over 70 years.

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led them in that morning with an early morning televised address. Here's some of what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTHONY ALBANESE, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty's own words. Grief is the price you pay for love.

This is a loss we feel deeply in Australia. Queen Elizabeth II is the only reigning monarch most of us have known. And the only one to ever visit Australia.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: Now Michael, you heard there the prime minister reference a 1954 trip that the Queen made here to Australia, becoming the first British monarch, the first Australian head of state to set foot on Australian soil. Some 70 percent of Australians came out to greet her that year, to catch a glimpse of her majesty. A trip which really set up the foundations for a relationship between the Queen and Australia, which flourished throughout her reign, Michael.

HOLMES: Remarkable. 16 visits to Australia throughout the years. Thank you so much, Angus there in Sydney.

Let's turn to Vedika Sud in Delhi. And India another country the Queen visited and had some incredible welcomes. What has been the reaction there?

VEDIKA SUD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, absolutely. Every time she visited India, Michael. And there were three state visits, you don't (INAUDIBLE) from every nook and corner on terraces. Just waiting to catch a glimpse of her.

So those three state visits Michael happened in 1961, 1983 and then the 1997. The first was very significant because it was the first time that the Queen stepped into India after ascending the throne after the death of her father who in fact was the last emperor of India. She was chief guest at a parade with her husband.

Then on a second visit, the highlight would have been famously presenting Mother Teresa with an honorary order of the merit. And the third, the most important part and the take away from that visit was Queen Elizabeth was in India were there was the reference to the baggage really to the difficult episodes of colonial history. And that is when she referred to an infamous massacre that happened here in India under the rule and in fact the orders of British generals. So those were three state visits.

In terms of tributes, newspapers across India have the death and news of her death as the top headline on the top page. I just want to read a few of the headlines out for you.

"Times" of India, we're in India, (INAUDIBLE) and Charles assumes at 73. Another said, the world mourns as Britain loses its longest reigning monarch. And a third said, Elizabeth the Queen who move with changing world for decades. And there's so many more newspapers here in India that have carried headlines on her demise.

[01:49:52]

SUD: But Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also paid tribute through his tweet. He also spoke about the two times that he has met her in the past while visiting the U.K., Michael.

HOLMES: All right Vedika. Thanks so much. Angus Watson in Sydney, Vedika Sud in Delhi, thanks to you both. And we are back in a moment with more on the passing of Queen Elizabeth. But first, Rio De Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue lit up on Thursday in the colors of the union flag to pay tribute to the U.K.'s late monarch.

We'll be right back.

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[01:54:35]

ANDERSON: Welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson at Buckingham Palace where we are following the death of Queen Elizabeth II as tributes pour in from all over the sports world.

Great Britain's men's basketball team sang the national anthem at the Euro basketball game in Milan.

And in the United States, thousands shared a moment of silence to honor the Queen ahead of the National Football League season opener between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills.

Some of British music's most notable figures are paying tribute to the Queen. Mick Jagger tweeting, "For my whole life, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has always been there. I remember her as a beautiful young lady to the much beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the royal family."

And Paul McCartney also tweeting, "God bless Queen Elizabeth, may she rest in peace. Long-live the king."

And singer Harry Styles honoring the Queen during a concert in New York on Thursday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARRY STYLES, SINGER: Please join me in a round of applause for 70 years of service --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: I'm Becky Anderson outside of Buckingham Palace.

We will be back with a lot more of our special coverage in just a moment.

[01:56:23]

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