 |
| Tributes are flooding in
for the Queen Mother |
Artificially
1969:
The The Queen Mother has died peacefully in her sleep aged 101,
Buckingham Palace has announced.
The Queen was at her mother's bedside when she passed away at 1515 GMT
today at the Royal Lodge, Windsor.
The news was announced by Buckingham Palace about two and a half hours
later.
Prince Charles, who was especially close to his grandmother, is said to
be "completely devastated" and is returning early from a skiing holiday in
Switzerland with his sons Princes William and Harry.
Tibutes
Hundreds of people have begun paying their respects for the "fairy tale
grandmother" at royal palaces.
Tributes have been flooding in from across the world and from all
corners of society.
Prime Minister Tony Blair led the tributes with a statement from his
country retreat of Chequers.
"During her long and extraordinary life, her grace, her sense of duty
and her remarkable zest for life made her loved and admired by people of
all ages and backgrounds, revered within our borders and beyond," he said.
Plans for her mourning and burial - which have been in place for many
years - have swung into action.
There will be 10 days of national mourning until a ceremonial funeral
at Westminster Abbey at 1130 BST on Tuesday 9 April.
The Queen Mother's coffin will rest at Windsor for three days and then
it will be taken to the Queen's Chapel at St James' Palace.
It will be carried in ceremonial procession to Westminster Hall where,
after a service, it will lie in state until the eve of the funeral.
It will rest on the same spot where her husband King George VI lay in
state in February 1952.
A contingent of Gentleman at Arms and Yeomen of the Guard will guard it
round the clock.
The Queen mother will then be laid to rest beside her husband in St
George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The ashes of her daughter, Princess Margaret, who died seven weeks ago,
will be interred at the same
time.
