The Latest: Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s longest reigning monarch, dead at 96

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving British monarch and Canadian head of state, has died at age 96. The latest:

10 p.m. ET

Elton John paid tribute to the Queen at his final Toronto show, calling her an “inspiring” presence in his life.

“She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace and decency and genuine warmth,” he said.

“I’m glad she’s at peace and I’m glad she’s at rest. She served and she worked bloody hard.

“We celebrate her life tonight with music.”

He then performed his 1974 track “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”

John’s concert was the second of two nights at Toronto’s Rogers Centre and part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, billed as his final tour.

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7:15 p.m. ET

At Rideau Hall, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon signed a book of condolences that will be made available to the public Friday.

Simon began her short statement in English, saying that people are sharing words of remembrance “in countless languages around the world” before adding a tribute in her first language, Inuktitut.

Simon said she was proud to have represented the Queen as governor general and recounted that the Queen’s advice when she was appointed to the position was “be gentle with yourself.”

“I’ve come to understand her words to mean that while we should work hard on the issues that matter, we should also take time to pause,” she said. “To be patient. To lead with understanding and respect. I can see the wisdom in these words.”

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5:45 p.m. ET

Canadians are now able to share messages of sympathy for the Royal Family in the online book of condolences.

The form is available on the government’s website.

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5:30 p.m. ET

The superior courts of Manitoba and New Brunswick have changed their names after the Queen’s death.

Previously known as Court of Queen’s Bench, they are now going by Court of King’s Bench.

The courts say the new name took effect immediately upon the Queen’s passing.

The change applies to the courts’ names as well as all documents and proceedings.

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5:25 p.m. ET

Governor General Mary Simon will deliver a statement and sign the book of condolences later tonight in Ottawa.

The book will be available for the public to sign starting tomorrow at Rideau Hall.

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5 p.m. ET

Woodbine Entertainment, the host of horse racing’s Queen’s Plate, says it’s mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen’s Plate was first run in 1860 and was named after Queen Victoria after she gave her royal ascent for a plate to be awarded to the winner of the 1 1/4 mile race in Toronto.

It was renamed to the King’s Plate from 1901 to 1952 when the reigning monarchs were male and then renamed the Queen’s Plate upon Queen Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne.

A spokesman for Woodbine Entertainment says a decision will be made in the coming days on whether the trophy’s name will be restored to the King’s Plate in honour of King Charles III.  ___

4:26 p.m. ET

The CN Tower will go dark and the marquee lights of two prominent Toronto stages will dim in honour of the Queen’s passing.

Mirvish Productions says the marquee lights of the Royal Alexandra Theatre and the Princess of Wales Theatre will be dimmed at 8 p.m. ET tonight.

Both are in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district and are part of the Toronto International Film Festival, which kicks off tonight.

The nearby tourist landmark the CN Tower says it will also be dark tonight.

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 4:05 p.m. ET

Former prime minister Stephen Harper says that in “many personal meetings with Her Majesty, she was always warm, knowledgeable, and engaging.”

Harper says Canada and the Commonwealth “are at the dawn of a new age” and that the Queen “would expect Canadians to look with confidence toward many tomorrows.”

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4 p.m. ET

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says Queen Elizabeth II “was for us a bedrock of stability and continuity, a ceaselessly gracious and dignified presence in our lives.”

He says her death “is for me and for many a terrible shock, as something permanent in our lives has given way.”

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs called the Queen a guiding light in turbulent times, and a figure of stability.

Posting online in French, Quebec Premier Francois Legault offered condolences to the British Royal Family and says the Quebec flag will fly at half-mast on public buildings to mark her death.

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3:36 p.m. ET

Canadians are used to seeing Queen Elizabeth II on our money.

But this could change following the death of the longest-serving British monarch and Canadian head of state.

The Bank of Canada, which produces Canada’s paper bills, says changes likely won’t be seen immediately.

It says the current $20 bank note, which features the Queen, is intended to circulate for years to come.

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3:27 p.m. ET

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver is recalling Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Whitehorse in 1959.

Silver says Yukoners gathered with excitement and it was a special moment for many.

Silver adds: “On behalf of all Yukoners, I extend our sympathies to all members of the Royal Family.”

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3:25 p.m. ET

British Columbia Premier John Horgan says Queen Elizabeth II made time for people “at every opportunity.”

He says tens of thousands of people came out to see the Queen when she travelled to communities throughout British Columbia.

He says those these moments “will be cherished.”

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3:21 p.m. ET

Ontario’s legislature will hold tributes to Queen Elizabeth next week.

Government House Leader Paul Calandra says the thoughts and prayers of all Canadians are with King Charles III and the Royal Family.

The legislature will adjourn until next week, when members will pay tribute to what he calls Her Majesty’s “incomparable legacy.”

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3:08 p.m. ET

P.E.I. Premier Dennis King says the Queen was an inspiration to everyone.

He notes Elizabeth visited Prince Edward Island a number of times during her reign with the first time in 1951 when she was still a princess.

He says the Island is privileged to commemorate King Charles’ accession to the throne, and he wishes him the best.

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3:06 p.m. ET

News of the longest-serving British monarch’s death have sent shockwaves of grief across the country.

The chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada says Canadians will process her loss at their own pace as commemorations are held across the Commonwealth in coming days.

Robert Finch says the 96-year-old was “a constant in a world of change” and her death marks “the end of an era.”

He expects Canadians will remember the late monarch as “one of us.”

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3:06 p.m. ET

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he was deeply saddened to learn of the Queen’s death.

He praised “the dedication, dignity and grace” with which she served as Queen of Canada and the Commonwealth.

He says “we express both our condolences and our loyalty to the Crown and to our new Monarch, His Majesty the King.”

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2:54 p.m. ET

Testimonials to the late Queen are pouring in from lieutenant-governors across Canada.

Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty says “the world has lost a remarkable individual” who “exemplified integrity, humility, inner strength and outward grace.”

Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry of Prince Edward Island says the Queen had a special place in her heart for the province. 

Starting tomorrow and for the next nine days, a book of condolence will be available to Island mourners.

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2:49 p.m. ET

Coalition Avenir Québec and leader François Legault have suspended activities on the Quebec election campaign because of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

In a statement, Legault’s party says it will resume activities on Friday.

Earlier today, Legault said he wasn’t personally impacted by the Queen’s declining health when asked by reporters.

On Twitter, Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade paid tribute to the Queen and her dedication to public service during her long life.

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2:45 p.m.

The National Hockey League says it’s mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

The NHL says she held a special place in the hearts of Canadians and connected with the sport of hockey in memorable ways over her 70-year reign.

A historic video of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky escorting the Queen onto the ice of an arena to great fanfare was attached to the NHL’s tweet.

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2:40 p.m. ET

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the late Queen taught us the true meaning of selfless service.

He says she was respected for her sense of duty and commitment to charity.

Ford expresses his condolences to King Charles III and wishes him great success as he ascends to the throne.

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2:33 p.m. ET

Royal officials say Britain’s new monarch will be known as King Charles III.

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2:25 p.m. ET

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and that she served Canadians with “strength and wisdom” for 70 years.

In a statement, Trudeau says the late monarch was one of his “favourite people” and that he will miss her.

He says she brought grace and strength to her position as a leader in a “complicated world.”

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2:05 p.m. ET

Charles says the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II “is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all the members of my family.”

The queen’s eldest son describes the late monarch as “a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.”

The online message appears on Buckingham Palace letterhead, with the preface: “A statement from His Majesty the King at the time of the queen’s death.”

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2 p.m. ET

Flags have been lowered to half-mast at Ontario’s legislature, which is named Queen’s Park.

The move came just minutes after the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

Ontario’s legislature is set to resume shortly and the government is expected to make a statement.

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1:54 p.m. ET

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon offered her “deepest condolences” to the Royal Family in a statement on Twitter following the Queen’s death, saying Canadians across the country will mourn her loss.

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1:53 p.m. ET

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles is set to take over as Canada’s new head of state.

But a royal expert says the new King nevertheless faces a daunting challenge in establishing himself in a country that has become skeptical of the monarchy, and in a role that has been so inextricably linked to his mother in many Canadians’ minds.

Charles’ relationship with Canada stretches back to his first official visit in 1970, which included touring Manitoba and the Northwest Territories with other members of the Royal Family.

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1:40 p.m. ET

The monarch remains the constitutional head of state in this country, no matter who is filling the role at any given time, says Philippe Lagasse, an associate professor of international affairs at Carleton University and an expert on the role of the Crown in the Westminster system of government.

Hence, the succession from the Queen to her eldest son Charles is automatic, without any disruption to governing bodies that sit in her name or to legislation, oaths and other legal documents issued in her name, Lagasse says.

In common law, Lagasse says, the Queen and King are “the same legal person.” That’s because the Crown is what is known as a “corporation sole.”

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1:30 p.m. ET

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving British monarch and Canadian head of state, has died.

She was 96.

Buckingham Palace announced her death in a statement.

The announcement came hours after the palace said the monarch had been placed under medical supervision because doctors were concerned for her health.

The Canadian Press