See Photos of the World Mourning Queen Elizabeth II’s Death

Editor September 9, 2022

Braving strong wind and rain, a silent line of mourners snaked to the wrought iron gate of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace on Friday, patiently waiting their turn to read the official notice announcing Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. To one side, flower bouquets piled against the granite wall of an improvised memorial garden—most with heartfelt messages attached to the only monarch most Brits have ever known.

Scenes From Around the World in the Aftermath of Queen Elizabeth II's Death

London, England

Jack Davison, TIME

London, England

Jack Davison, TIME

The Queen’s death has caused a divide in the United Kingdom. At Balmoral Castle, where Britain’s longest-serving monarch died aged 96 on Thursday afternoon, floral tributes continue to amass. At London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, a service of prayer and reflection on Friday was attended by 2,000 members of the public as well as London Mayor Sadiq Khan and U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss, who last saw Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday when she asked to form a government. Truss was the 15th Prime Minister that the Queen has met. Winston Churchill was the first.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Michael Vince Kim at TIME

Britons were shocked to hear the sad news at 6:30 pm on Thursday night. Many were either at home, or went to pubs for a post-work drink. Within hours, a crowd of thousands gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London in solemn remembrance, finally breaking into muffled cheers of “God save the King” when Charles III arrived Friday to a home he has known for 70 years as prince but now entered as sovereign for the very first time. The new King arrived in London with Queen Consort Camila and inspected the memorials to his mother, who he wore a dark suit.

Learn More: Queen Elizabeth’s Passing Could Push Some Countries to Alter Their Ties to the British Monarchy

“[Queen Elizabeth] encompasses so much of what is Britain,” Eleanor Allingham, from Edinburgh, told TIME outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday. “She was a huge role model for everyone, every woman, every British person.”

Edinburgh, Scotland

Michael Vince Kim at TIME

Edinburgh, Scotland

Michael Vince Kim at TIME

In fact, the queen was actually the constitutional head state of 14 other countries: Canada, New Zealand Australia, Tuvalu and Papua New Guinea, as well as Canada, New Zealand, Australia. They have all paid their tributes. In a statement, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “For most Canadians, we have known no other Sovereign. She would proclaim ‘it was good to be home’ when returning to her beloved Canada. She was indeed at home here, and Canadians never ceased to return her affection.”

Edinburgh, Scotland

Michael Vince Kim at TIME

At the same time, the Queen’s death is reigniting debate about the legacy of the British Empire, which was already dwindling at the time of her coronation in 1953. An independent Commonwealth of ex-colonies maintained close ties to their former imperissa. The capital of Bahamas was Nassau. People stayedglued to their TV sets to get the most recent news regarding arcane royal funerals.

Learn More: What We Know So Far About Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral

Even so, the outpourings in grief and gratitude from far-flung dominions will make it more difficult to understand why King Charles II should become their head of government, many thousands of kilometers away. Barbados declared itself a republic last year but will still be part of the Commonwealth. Others will feel the same sentiments. Adam Bandt, the leader of Australia’s Greens Party, posted condolences to the Queen’s family on Twitter, but adding “Now Australia must move forward … [and] become a Republic.”

—With reporting by Yasmeen Serhan/London