Thousands of Marvel and Lucasfilm fans attending Disney’s D23 Expo over the weekend in Anaheim, California got a peek at some the studios’ biggest streaming and theatrical titles coming to Disney+ in the coming months and beyond.
Fans got a glimpse of trailers for the Diego Luna-led Andor, streaming September 21, and Willow, the new George Lucas and Ron Howard-inspired live-action fantasy adventure series, launching November 30.
Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni debuted the trailer for Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — six brand-new animated shorts featuring two distinctly different Jedi — Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku. Ahsoka also gets her own live-action series, starring Rosario Dawson, slated for a 2023 release.
Favreau, Filoni, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, along with star Jude Law introduced The Mandalorian spinoff, and shared the trailer for season three of The Mandalorian.
Marvel studios head Kevin Feige unveiled the trailers for the “fun-scary” Werewolf by Night, streaming October 7. He also was joined by Secret Invasion star Don Cheadle to introduce the trailer for the new show, also featuring Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders, reprising their respective roles as Nick Fury and Maria Hill, and Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, the Skrull introduced in Captain Marvel.
Cheadle also teased the upcoming Armor Wars, which will also feature his Colonel James Rhodes character in new suits and different types of armor.
Attendees also got updates on Loki season 2, Echo and Daredevil: Born Again, as well as feature films Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Fantastic Four, Captain America: New World Order, Thunderbolts and The Marvels.
Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios are owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
Amid a sluggish late summer box office, The Airbnb horror film Barbarian — starring Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård and Justin Long — debuted at #1 with an estimated $10 million. It’s the first film in three weeks to hit double digits in its opening weekend.
The Marvel-style Bollywood film Brahmastra Part One: Shiva, debuted in second place with an estimated $4.4 million, one of the biggest North American openings for an Indian film. Worldwide, Brahmastra has grabbed a total of $26.5 million.
Bullet Train pulled up in third place, earning an estimated $3.25 million in its sixth week of release. Its North American tally now stands at $92.5 million, with a global total of $212 million.
After reclaiming first place last week, Top Gun: Maverick fell to number four, collecting an estimated $3.7 million. That brings its domestic haul to $705.6 million, and $1.453 billion globally. It now surpasses Frozen as the 11th highest-grossing film of all time worldwide
Rounding out the top five was DC League of Super-Pets, with an estimated $2.84 million, bringing its seven-week North American total to $85.4 million.
(NEW YORK) — While he didn’t make it to this year’s U.S. Open championship, Frances Tiafoe’s tennis journey still looks very bright.
The 24-year-old American was a breakout star of this year’s tournament after he beat tennis legend Rafael Nadal to advance to the quarterfinals.
Tiafoe spoke in an interview with ABC News on Good Morning America Monday about his journey to one of tennis’ biggest stages.
While he said he felt “a ton of different emotions” through his run, he hailed the Grand Slam as “the best two weeks of my life.”
“Probably the best thing [was] seeing the first lady Michelle Obama after the match,” he said of his semifinal match with Carlos Alcaraz. “I was on the one changeover and I looked and she looked at me — and then when they announced her and seeing the crowd erupt, that was pretty impactful.”
He was the first Black American man to reach the semifinals of the U.S. Open since 1972. The last player to do so was Arthur Ashe, the namesake of the stadium where Tiafoe and Alcaraz battled.
“It’s truly a blessing. All the work that my parents did over the years and having them see that and be a part of that is crazy. And to be in the same sentence as Arthur Ashe in anything is unbelievable and something no one can ever take from me. So I’m going to remember that forever,” Tiafoe explained.
Tiafoe said he hopes to continue to move the sport forward for others as a role model.
“My whole life I’ve wanted to pave a way so people like me can also play the game of tennis and just be great leaders as well as great individuals,” he said.
Tiafoe lost in five sets against Alcaraz; their match lasted four hours and 19 minutes. The 19-year-old Spanish phenom advanced to the final and won the tournament.
“I feel I let you guys down,” Tiafoe said after the match, addressing the crowd during an on-court interview. “This one hurts. This one really, really hurts — I’m going to be back — and I will win this thing one day.”
Tiafoe credited picking up a racquet to his father, who was the head of maintenance at a tennis center in Maryland.
Tiafoe, whose parents immigrated from Sierra Leone amid war in the 1990s, grew up outside of Washington, D.C., with his brother, Franklin.
“My parents are everything,” Tiafoe told ABC News. “We wouldn’t be doing this interview, all achievements, I wouldn’t have them without them. I’m just so thankful for them, and them instilling in me hard work and understanding — being humble and grateful for everything that comes your way. They shaped me to the person I am today.”
In 2020, Tiafoe won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award, the ATP’s award for off-court impact.
Tiafoe added that being an inspiration is “what it’s all about.”
“We all have a certain gift and to use that gift to inspire so many people to do great things in life,” he said.
As for the fate of the sport, Tiafoe said he thinks “American tennis is in a great place.”
“You’ll see some Grand Slam champions soon,” he said, mentioning Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, who he said are “playing great tennis.”
“I’m super excited to be in that conversation,” Tiafoe said.
With the Creative Arts Emmys in the rearview mirror, all eyes in Hollywood are focusing on Monday night’s 74th annual Emmy Awards.
With so much to choose from, and some of the usual Emmy magnets like Netflix’s The Crown out of contention this year, some surprises are to be expected during the Kenan Thompson-hosted event airing live on NBC.
Officially, HBO’s Succession leads the pack with 25 nominations, and the cable network’s The White Lotus scored 20 in the limited drama series category.
However, this year Squid Game could shock viewers again. It became the first non-English-speaking show to ever be nominated in the Outstanding Drama category, and the show’s global audience on Netflix has yet to be touched.
What’s more, with Better Call Saul wrapping up on AMC this year, and its lead Bob Odenkirk surviving a near-fatal heart attack to finish it, there could be a strong sympathy vote for its star.
On the comedy side of things, Apple TV+’s previous Emmy sweeper, Ted Lasso, was also nominated for 20 awards, but HBO’s Hacks and Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building were close behind with 17 nods.
Some are speculating that with Lasso and Hacks having already won Emmys, the door could be open for Only Murders and the freshman comedy Abbot Elementary to make some noise.
On the latter, show creator Quinta Brunson made history when she became the first Black woman to be nominated in the comedy category for writing, acting and producing in the same year. Even if she doesn’t score that historic hat trick, she could become only the second Black person ever to win as a producer in that category if the show wins.
When it comes to other possible historic firsts, Selena Gomez could become the first Latina to win as the producer of a show she also stars in for Only Murders.
Further, Zendaya could be the youngest person to win a title for producing, if Euphoria wins Outstanding Drama Series.
As they say in TV, stay tuned.
The 74th annual Emmy Awards start at 8 p.m. on September 12 on NBC.
Ray J is aiming to set the record straight when it comes to his 2007 sex tape with Kim Kardashian.
In multiple videos, including a 44-minute video shared over the weekend, the singer lodged claims that Kim, along with Kris Jenner, have lied about their involvement in the release of the tape.
Ray J claims that there were three sex tapes in total, with the labels “Intro,” “Cabo,” and “Santa Barbara,” and said that Kris picked the tape in which Kim looked the best.
He also showed followers the alleged original contract for the deal with Vivid Entertainment, the adult entertainment company that released the tape, and claims Kim filled out the section containing the names of the three tapes. He also shared snapshots of handwritten notes allegedly from Kim to compare the handwriting to the contract, claiming that it was the same.
The “One Wish” singer also shared alleged text messages between himself and Kim’s ex, Kanye West, in which they discuss the tape.
The lengthy video was prompted by Kris’ recent appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden where, while hooked up to a polygraph test, the momager was asked if she assisted in the release of the sex tape.
When the crowd gasped at the question, Kris answered, “It’s OK. No, no.” After the man administering the test confirmed her answer was truthful, Kris added, “We cleared that up.”
(NEW YORK) — Almost two years into the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, several states are still struggling to immunize their residents.
Among the 10 states with the lowest vaccination rates, as of Wednesday, none have cracked the 60% mark of being fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This is much lower than the nationwide total of 67.6% total U.S. population being fully vaccinated.
Of those states, five also have among the lowest booster rates in the country and among the highest COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 people, the data shows. What’s more, one of the states is recording among the highest death rates as well.
Most of the states fall in the South or the West, which have traditionally been more resistant to vaccines throughout the pandemic.
Experts told ABC News this could spell trouble during the fall, when COVID-19 is traditionally at greater risk of spreading as the weather gets colder and people congregate indoors.
“What has happened is [people in] the states where they refused to get the vaccine, or were hesitant to get the vaccine, got infected,” Dr. Ali Mokdad, an epidemiologist with the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in Seattle, told ABC News. “What we are seeing is due to waning immunity, we are going to enter winter with a higher percentage of people who are susceptible.”
Low vaccination rates and higher cases
Wyoming is the state with the lowest share of residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at 51.9%, as of Sept. 7, CDC data shows.
Among the other nine states with the lowest vaccination rates, six — Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee — fall in the South, and the remaining three — Idaho, Indiana and North Dakota — fall in the Midwest or West.
There are several reasons why these states have struggled to raise their vaccination rates over the last several months, according to Dr. Jason Schwartz, an associate professor of health policy at Yale School of Public Health.
“We’ve seen vaccination efforts really hit a wall for many months now, in terms of managing to change the minds of individuals who have been either hesitant or resistant about the vaccine,” he told ABC News. “Whether it’s because of anxieties about safety, whether it’s about a lack of appreciation for the value of the vaccines, themselves or for their communities, or because of the way in which it has become so tragically politicized in a way that was really damaging to the public health effort and really damaging to the to the value of the vaccination campaign.”
And these states are doing worse when it comes to other metrics.
Five of those states — Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee — are among the top 10 states with the highest seven-day case rate per 100,000 people as of Sept. 8.
Experts say the evidence is overwhelming that lower vaccination rates lead to a higher number of cases, but it’s more than just looking at the statewide data.
Several counties within those states have vaccination rates way below the national average.
In Cameron Parish, Louisiana — which borders Texas and the Gulf of Mexico — only 18.2% of the total population is fully vaccinated, CDC data as of Sept. 7 shows.
Similarly, in Alabama, two counties – Winston County in the northwest and Cleburne County – which borders Georgia to the northeast – have 22.3% and 29.3%, respectively, of their populations fully vaccinated.
“It’s worrisome enough to have low vaccination rates statewide, but then if you drill down into particular regions where we have even lower vaccination rates, that means that there’s just enormous susceptibility in those communities for the virus to run wild,” Schwartz said. “And without that protection that comes from high vaccination rates, everyone is a greater risk, not just of infections, which we’re seeing in those case rates, but especially when it comes to those severe outcomes.”
Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, said another reason for the higher case rates in these states is the lack of following mitigation measures.
Studies have shown people who are vaccinated are more likely to practice protections such as mask-wearing and social distancing,
“The kind of reluctance to get vaccinated often moves hand-in-hand with a reluctance to maybe observe other protective measures, masking crowded indoorded settings and so on,” she said.
Deaths not spiking in these states
There are some low vaccination states that aren’t experiencing high death rates.
Only one of the bottom 10 vaccination states, Georgia, is among the 10 states with the highest death rates at 1 per 100,000 as of Sept. 8.
Experts said there may be a few reasons why states with lower vaccination rates don’t have high death rates.
These include that many residents who were at risk of dying already passed early in the pandemic and because many of these states have large rural areas where it’s less likely to come into contact with those are infected and spread the virus.
However, Schwartz said it may also be because those who are at risk are fully vaccinated and those getting sick in the states with the low vaccination rates are younger adults who are at less risk of falling ill or dying.
In Wyoming, for example, which has among the lowest death rates but also the lowest vaccination rate, 75.9% of seniors aged 65 and older are fully vaccinated as of Sept. 5, according to the state Department of Health. Comparatively, just 55.5% of adults aged 18-64 are fully vaccinated and 34.5% of adolescents aged 12-17.
Meanwhile, in Georgia, only 23% of women over age 65 and 21% of men are vaccinated, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
“Even if a state may be lagging in its overall vaccination rate, it could do a better job earlier in the vaccination campaign, or since then reaching those highest risk individuals, that could be something that could change what we’re seeing as far as death rates,” Schwartz said.
Experts say unvaccinated people not likely to get shots at this point
With COVID-19 expected to rise as the U.S. heads into the fall and winter — and peak in December 2022 or January 2023 — there are fears a surge will batter states with low vaccination rates.
“There’s two things happening at the same time, there’s the people that are going more indoors, they’re congregating more indoors, and the colder weather,” El-Sadr said. “There’s also maybe the risk of a new subvariant or a new variant that may then result in a surge.”
However, experts don’t think there will be as many hospitalizations and deaths as previous waves due to widespread immunity.
Schwartz said he’s not sure if there is anything that can be done to boost vaccination rates in these states because previous efforts have been unsuccessful and those who are not vaccinated yet are unlikely to be in the future.
“There had been hope that some folks were concerned that the vaccine hadn’t received full approval and then when the vaccine had received full approval rather than an [emergency use authorization] people would come out of the woodwork to get vaccinated. That didn’t happen,” he said. “There was a thought with the Novavax vaccine that was introduced earlier this summer that maybe there were folks that were sort of hesitant about mRNA vaccines that might be more comfortable with a new vaccine that uses a more familiar technology. That didn’t happen, either.”
Schwartz continued, “I think what we see now is that people who aren’t vaccinated have very deeply held beliefs at this point whether it’s you about safety or just being a part of their of their ideological commitment, unfortunately, makes it hard to see a way to sway them with messaging or encouragement.”
(WASHINGTON) — This story is part of ABC News’ series “Democracy in Peril,” which examines the inflection point the country finds itself at after the Jan. 6 attacks and ahead of the 2022 election.
The House Jan. 6 hearings this summer highlighted the pressure placed on officials across the country to overturn the 2020 presidential election — and how close some of Donald Trump’s demands came to being a reality.
Trump, the committee has already said, was directly involved in trying to have election workers and lawmakers both at the federal and local level declare him the winner of the race rather than Joe Biden.
As the committee detailed in its summer hearings, that effort was ultimately unsuccessful in large part thanks to a handful of people who resisted Trump’s demands despite the consequences that followed.
“They represent the backbone of our democracy at its most important moments: when the citizens cast their votes and when those votes are counted,” Committee Chair Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said during a hearing in which some of those people testified live.
The officials — heavily criticized by Trump in social media posts or in statements for opposing him — have since recounted the harassment they said they and their family members faced. Election antagonism didn’t end after 2020: ABC News previously reported that at least nine states have experienced election staff departures or retirements prompted in part by harassment, threats and misinformation, officials and experts said.
Some leading Republicans who chose to support the 2020 election result have said it was their moral and legal duty, regardless of politics.
Here are some of the key officials, according to the Jan. 6 committee, who were pressured by Trump.
Former Vice President Mike Pence
Pence, Trump’s second-in-command, was hailed by the committee at its summer hearings for rejecting Trump’s entreaty to unilaterally reject Biden electors at the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.
“Thanks in part to Mike Pence, our democracy withstood Donald Trump’s scheme and the violence of Jan. 6,” Chairman Thompson said during one of the hearings.
Trump and Pence had a phone call just hours before the joint congressional session began, in what onlookers described as a “heated” conversation. As the Capitol attack unfolded and the mob threatened to kill the vice president, Pence was forced to hide in an underground location while Trump continued to criticize him on social media. Pence resumed the certification of Biden’s victory in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021.
“President Trump is wrong. … I had no right to overturn the election,” Pence said at a speech earlier this year. “The presidency belongs to the American people, and the American people alone. And frankly there is almost no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could choose the American president.”
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was one of the most pressured local officials, as Trump fixated on his loss in the Peach State (the first time a Republican presidential nominee was defeated there in 28 years).
A now-infamous phone call between Raffensperger and Trump revealed the former president asked him to “find” 11,780 votes in Georgia — just one vote over the margin by which he trailed Biden. At one point on the call, Trump suggested to Raffensperger that his inaction could mean he was criminally liable, but Raffensperger denied Trump’s request and his false assertions including his claim that thousands of dead people voted in the election.
Raffensperger told the Jan. 6 committee in live testimony that his wife received sexually threatening texts and his daughter-in-law had her home broken into. Raffensperger went on to face a Trump-backed primary challenger but won.
Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers
Bowers, then the top Republican in the Arizona State House of Representatives, became emotional as he described to the committee the toll of being asked to violate his oath of office. Trump asked Bowers to help with a plan to replace the state’s electors committed to Biden during a phone call weeks after Trump lost the 2020 election. Bowers insisted on seeing evidence of voter fraud, which he said Trump’s team was never able to produce.
Speaking to ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl, Bowers said in a subsequent interview that some Arizonians thanked him for his testimony before the committee but others deemed him a “traitor.” When asked by Karl if he ever considered going along with Trump’s plan, Bowers — who went on to lose his next election against a Trump-endorsed Republican — said: “The idea of throwing out the election of the president is like, okay, so what part of Jupiter do I get to land on and colonize?”
Former Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt
Al Schmidt, the only Republican on the city’s election board during the 2020 election, was the subject of a social media post by Trump in which Trump alleged Schmidt “refuses to look at a mountain of corruption dishonesty.”
Schmidt told the Jan. 6 panel that they investigated every allegation no matter how “fantastical” or “absurd.”
After that Trump tweet, Schmidt said the threats against him “became much more specific, much more graphic, and included not just me by name but included members of my family by name, their ages, our address, pictures of our home.” Schmidt resigned from his position in late November 2021.
Richard Donoghue, Jeff Rosen, Steven Engel
These three former Justice Department officials described the many efforts by Trump to change the results — from suggesting the agency seize voting machines or file a lawsuit in the Supreme Court to sending letters to state legislatures furthering baseless claims of fraud.
“I will say that the Justice Department declined all of those requests that I was just referencing,” Rosen told the committee, “because we did not think that they were appropriate based on the facts and the law as we understood them.”
When Trump tried to appoint a less qualified but more loyal official to attorney general when his demands weren’t met, Donoghue said he told Trump that assistant attorney generals across the country would resign “en masse.”
(LONDON) — Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has shared some of his favorite memories of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died Sept. 8 at the age of 96.
Harry, now fifth in line to the throne, issued a statement Monday, remembering the monarch he knew as “granny.”
“Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings—from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren,” he wrote. “I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between.”
Harry also remembered his grandmother, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, for her “commitment to service and duty,” writing, “She was globally admired and respected. Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy.”
He ended his statement on a more personal note, thanking the queen for her “sound advice” and for her “infectious smile” and writing that he is glad his grandmother is now reunited with her beloved husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, who died last year at the age of 99.
“We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace,” Harry wrote.
Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who live in California with their two children, were in the U.K. last week for several charity events when the queen died at Balmoral Castle, her Scotland estate.
After rushing to be with members of the royal family in Balmoral, Harry returned to Windsor last week, where he and Meghan have been staying in their Frogmore Cottage home.
On Saturday, Harry and Meghan made a surprise appearance with Harry’s older brother, Prince William and his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, to view tributes to the queen outside Windsor Castle and speak with people who gathered there to mourn.
The appearance marked the first time the two couples had been seen together in public since 2020, when Harry and Meghan attended their final royal engagement before stepping down as senior working royals.
The two couples attended the National Service of Thanksgiving in June for the queen’s Platinum Jubilee, celebrating her 70 years on the throne, but were not seen publicly interacting with each other.
Amid reports of tension between Harry and William, the heir to the throne, their joint appearance with their wives at Windsor Castle was seen as a sign of unity for a grandmother both men have spoken highly of over the years.
Harry and Meghan named their daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor after the queen, whose family nickname was Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, is a tribute to Harry’s mother, the late Princess Diana.
Lili joined her parents and her older brother Archie, 3, in London for the queen’s Platinum Jubilee, where she celebrated her first birthday and is believed to have had her first meeting with the queen.
Even after leaving his royal role, Harry continued to speak fondly of the queen.
“My grandmother and I have a really good relationship and an understanding, and I have a deep respect for her,” Harry said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey last year.
Harry also told Winfrey the queen has been “amazing throughout” his relationship with Meghan, a sentiment echoed by Meghan, who said the queen was one of the first family members she met in her relationship with Harry.
“The queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me,” the duchess said. “I mean, we had one of our first joint engagements together. She asked me to join her.”
“I just really loved being in her company,” said Meghan, who added that the queen gave her pearl earrings and a matching necklace for their June 2018 joint engagement. “And I remember we were in the car … going between engagements, and she has a blanket that sits across her knees for warmth, and it was chilly and she was like, ‘Meghan, come on,’ and put it over my knees as well.”
“It made me think of my grandmother, where she’s always been warm and inviting and really welcoming,” Meghan said.
(UVALDE, Texas) — “It all goes back to the day of the tragedy,” Javier Cazares, father of 9-year-old Jacklyn Cazares, who was killed in the Robb Elementary School mass shooting, told ABC News.
Javier Cazares is running as a write-in candidate for Uvalde County commissioner in Precinct 2.
“I’m a parent first and my main goal is to fight for what’s right; to do what needs to be done around here,” he said. “Not just for my daughter and her friends who passed, but also for her classmates who survived.”
A cook-off event to kick off Javier Cazares’ campaign took place on Saturday and welcomed community members and several of the self-proclaimed Angel Families who also lost loved ones during the massacre on May 24.
Nikki Cross, aunt and guardian of 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia who was also killed at Robb, said she’s confident that Javier Cazares will represent the interests of the families affected by the tragedy. “As a grieving father, he’s got a lot of passion for change,” Cross told ABC News. “He’s just what we need.”
Cazares’s family, among many others from Uvalde, have been to the Texas State Capitol in Austin and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to call for stricter gun control in the wake of the shooting.
Javier Cazares is a longtime gun owner and has never held political office. He’s advocating for what he calls “common sense gun laws,” such as expanding background checks to include juvenile records and lifting the purchasing age restriction to 21.
“After the Parkland shooting in Florida, they were able to change the [state] laws within three months,” he told ABC News. “I’ve never thought about politics, but I want to fight for change and speak for the unheard voices.”
At the cook-off event, the Cazareses set up a rock-painting station for supporters to make decorative rocks for Jacklyn’s rock garden.
Jazmin Cazares, Javier’s older daughter, was there supporting her dad. “It’s not just his kids he’s looking out for — it’s everyone’s kids,” she told ABC News. “Because you don’t want to lose your kid the way my parents have.”
Among other write-in candidates, Javier Cazares is running against incumbent Mariano Pargas Jr. — the acting city police chief on the day of the shooting. Pargas was placed on suspension after the Texas House committee investigating the tragedy released a damning 82-page report outlining the responding officers’ failures to protect students.
Pargas said he’s received support from community members despite the controversy, and hopes his 24-year tenure as county commissioner speaks for itself. “I hope people can remember the good things I’ve done for the community,” Pargas told ABC News. “I want to continue serving the community well.”
The commissioner said he’s proud of his work with low-income children, a community cleanup initiative and an ongoing road improvement plan.
“At the end of the day, it’s up to the people — what they want,” Pargas said. “If they want a change, by all means.”
Meanwhile, at the cook-off, Javier Cazares said Pargas is not doing enough to facilitate change in Uvalde. “I’ve lived in this district for 10 years, and in that time there hasn’t been any change. We have bad roads, bad street lighting, nothing for kids to play on,” he said.
Berlinda Arreola, victim Amerie Jo Garza’s step-grandmother, addressed the crowd: “He may not have as much money in his pocket, but he will work hard for us.”
“No one works harder than an underdog,” she said, “and don’t forget, underdogs have won the Super Bowl.”
Javier’s wife, Gloria Cazares, added, “This is personal for him, and for all of us.”
When asked about his opposition, Pargas said he wishes Javier Cazares and the other write-in candidates the best and offered support if he loses to one of them. “Anything that I can do to help them out once they get into office, I’d be more than glad to,” he added.
(NEW YORK) — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II “died peacefully” on Thursday, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. She was 96.
The news of her death came just hours after the palace announced that the queen’s doctors were “concerned” about her health and were keeping her under “medical supervision” at Balmoral Castle, the British royal family’s estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where she has been vacationing this summer.
Members of the royal family, including the queen’s four children, quickly gathered by her side at Balmoral, according to their respective spokespersons. She died that afternoon.
Elizabeth was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. She ascended to the throne in 1952 and, in June, celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years as queen. Her eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales, will take his mother’s place on the British throne as king. Charles’ wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will become known as queen consort.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Sep 12, 7:37 AM EDT
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, arrive in Edinburgh
Britain’s King Charles III and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, traveled on Monday from London to Edinburgh, where they will walk behind his mother’s coffin as it is transported in a procession through the Scottish capital.
Thousands of people have lined the streets since the coffin carrying the late Queen Elizabeth II began its final journey from Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the 96-year-old monarch died last Thursday. On Monday, the coffin will be moved from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral, with Charles and Camilla walking behind it along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
A service to celebrate the late queen’s life will take place Monday afternoon at St. Giles’ Cathedral, where members of the public will be able to pay their respects and view the coffin for 24 hours before it is flown to London on Tuesday.
Charles and Camilla will also hold a vigil at St. Giles Cathedral on Monday evening.
Sep 12, 6:00 AM EDT
King Charles III addresses UK Parliament for 1st time
King Charles III addressed the U.K. Houses of Parliament for the first time as sovereign on Monday morning.
Speakers from both Houses of Parliament addressed the new king at Westminster Hall in London. Charles, accompanied by his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, then gave a reply in front of some 1,200 people gathered inside.
“As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which members of both Houses dedicate yourselves, with such personal commitment for the betterment of us all,” Charles said in a brief speech.
“We gather today in remembrance of the remarkable span of the queen’s dedicated service to her nations and peoples. While very young, her late majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation,” he added. “This vow she kept with unsurpassed devotion. She set an example of selfless duty which, with God’s help and your counsels, I am resolved faithfully to follow.”
Sep 12, 5:34 AM EDT
Prince Harry pays tribute to queen in 1st statement since her death
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, paid tribute to his grandmother on Monday in his first statement since her death, thanking the late queen for her “commitment to service,” “sound advice” and “infectious smile.”
“In celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen—and in mourning her loss—we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty,” Harry said. “She was globally admired and respected. Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy. Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: ‘Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.'”
“Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings — from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great- grandchildren,” he continued. “I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honour my father in his new role as King Charles III.”
“Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile,” he added. “We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”
Sep 11, 10:54 PM EDT
How the public can attend Queen Elizabeth’s lying in state at Westminster Hall
The U.K. government has released details on how members of the public can pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who will lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday until Monday, Sept. 19.
The queen’s coffin will travel in a ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster for the lying in state, the U.K. government said on its website, where it will rest on a raised platform and “be draped in the Royal Standard with the Orb and Sceptre placed on top.”
“Each corner of the platform will be guarded around the clock by a vigil of units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division, or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London,” the government said.
Members of the public will be able to file past the coffin 24 hours a day, starting at 5 p.m. local time on Wednesday until 6:30 a.m. on the day of the queen’s funeral, Sept. 19.
The government advised the public to expect to wait in line for long hours, “possibly overnight,” and that there would be “airport-style security” and only small bags permitted, as well as restrictions on what can be taken inside.
President Joe Biden has formally accepted an invitation to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey in London, the White House said Sunday.
“This morning, President Biden formally accepted an invitation to attend the State Funeral Service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on September 19. He will be accompanied by the First Lady,” the statement from the White House reads.
Sep 10, 12:50 PM EDT
Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle view flowers together
Prince William and Prince Harry, and their wives, Princess Kate and Meghan Markle, viewed flowers together outside Windsor Castle Saturday.
This is the first time the four have been seen together in public since Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior members of the royal family and moved to the United States.
A representative for William, the Prince of Wales told ABC News the prince invited the Duke and Duchess to join him and the Princess of Wales.
Sep 10, 12:21 PM EDT
Queen’s funeral to be held Sept. 19
Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will be held on Sept. 19, Buckingham Palace announced Saturday.
Sep 10, 12:07 PM EDT
William, Prince of Wales, makes 1st statement since the queen’s death
William, Prince of Wales said he is grateful for the queen’s presence in his life, in his first statement since the death of the queen. William said that he recognized the world lost an “extraordinary leader.”
“I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives,” William said.
“She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” William said.
“I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all,” William said.
Sep 10, 7:20 AM EDT
King Charles III officially proclaimed king by Accession Council at St James’s Palace in London
King Charles III has been formally proclaimed monarch at a historic Accession Council in the State Apartments of St James’s Palace at 5 a.m. on Saturday. The ceremony is being televised for the first time in history.
A Principal Proclamation will then be read in public for the first time by the Garter King of Arms in the open air from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s an hour later at 6 a.m. ET.
It will be followed by a flurry of Proclamations around the country, with the second one at City of London at the Royal Exchange at midday on Saturday, and further Proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at midday on Sunday.
Buckingham Palace issued details of the arrangements, considered the first official orders of business of a new reign, on Friday.
Charles automatically became King on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council is usually convened at St James’s in London within 24 hours of the death of a sovereign.
Historically, the entire Privy Council is summoned to the Accession Council to oversee the formal proclamation of a new monarch.
But with the number of privy counsellors –- who are lifetime members and mostly past and present politicians –- now standing at more than 700, restrictions have been put in place. This does not affect the constitutional process.
Sep 10, 4:59 AM EDT
King Charles III to receive several key audiences today at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III will undertake a number of important meetings at Buckingham Palace today following his formal proclamation as king this morning.
The king is scheduled to meet with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, at 9 a.m. ET followed by a meeting with the U.K.’s newly appointed prime minister, Liz Truss, and members of her cabinet at 9:30 a.m. ET.
At 10 a.m. ET, King Charles II will receive the leaders of the opposition parties at Buckingham Palace before his final scheduled meeting of the day at 11 a.m. ET where he will receive David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster.
Sep 09, 8:02 PM EDT
A look at Queen Elizabeth’s lifelong love of corgis
Perhaps no animal has been so closely associated with a world figure as corgis were with Queen Elizabeth II.
Her death sparked an outpouring of photographs and drawings of her and her dogs throughout the years.
Fellow dog owners are also planning to celebrate the queen’s life of service with a corgi parade outside of Buckingham Palace next month, the U.K. newspaper The Daily Mirror reported.
Sep 09, 1:52 PM EDT
Biden says he will attend the queen’s funeral
President Joe Biden told reporters Friday that he will be attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
“Yes. I don’t know what the details are yet, but I’ll be going,” Biden told reporters on the tarmac of Ohio’s Columbus International Airport.
Buckingham Palace has not yet announced when the queen’s funeral will be held.
Asked if he had spoken to King Charles III yet, Biden said, “I know him, I haven’t spoken to him. I did not call him yet.”
Sep 09, 1:36 PM EDT
King Charles III pledges to uphold Britain’s constitutional principals
In his first speech as monarch, King Charles III pledged to follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II, upholding Britain’s Constitution.
“As the queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation,” King Charles III said.
“And, wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect and love as I have throughout my life,” he added.
The king also recognized his new role, and the changes it will bring.
“My life will, of course, change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But, I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others,” the king later said.
Sep 09, 1:18 PM EDT
New titles announced for Prince William and Catherine
King Charles III announced new titles for his son, Prince William, and his son’s wife, Catherine, previously the duke and duchess of Cambridge.
They are now the new prince and princess of Wales, the new king announced in a speech from Buckingham Palace Friday.
“Our new prince and princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations,” King Charles said in the prerecorded message.
William’s mother, Diana, was the last princess of Wales. Charles’ wife, Camilla, never took the title. With Charles’ ascension, her title is now queen consort.
King Charles also mentioned his younger son, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan, the duke and duchess of Sussex.
“I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan, as they continue to build their lives overseas,” the king said.
Sep 09, 1:17 PM EDT
‘Thank you for your love and devotion,’ King Charles III remembers the queen
In his first address, King Charles III ended his address thanking his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, for her lifetime of service and her love and devotion.
“To my darling mama, as you begin your gray last journey to join my dear late papa, I want simply to say this. Thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family, and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years,” King Charles III said.
The king also expressed his gratitude for the “condolences and support” that his family has received after the passing of the queen.
Sep 09, 1:10 PM EDT
King Charles III expresses ‘profound grief’ after death of the queen
King Charles III delivered his first address as monarch Friday, in remembrance of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, saying her death has brought him “profound sorrow” and “great sadness.”
“Throughout her life, her majesty, the queen, my beloved mother, was an inspiration. An example to me and to all my family. And we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their mother for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example,” King Charles said.
The king said the queen’s affection, admiration and respect were a hallmark of her reign.
“I pay tribute to my mother’s memory and I honor her service,” he later added.
Sep 09, 12:25 PM EDT
Prime Minister Liz Truss meets with king
British Prime Minister Liz Truss met with King Charles III Friday, shortly after he arrived at Buckingham Palace.
Sep 09, 11:13 AM EDT
English Premier League postpones weekend matches
England’s top soccer league has postponed its slate of matches this weekend in tribute to the queen’s death.
“We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country,” Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said in a statement. “As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.”
He continued, “This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation, but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”
The queen never made her “football” allegiances clear over her reign, but the new king, Charles III, has been public about his support for Burnley Football Club. With the postponements, he’ll have to hold off on watching their next match against Norwich City.
The EPL said it would announce any further postponements, such as on the day of the queen’s funeral, “in due course.”
Sep 09, 9:43 AM EDT
King Charles III views flowers outside Buckingham Palace
King Charles III has landed in London, returning from Balmoral Castle where the queen was when she died. The king walked outside Buckingham Palace, shaking hands and greeting people who gathered to share their condolences.
The king and Camila, the queen consort, walked outside the gates of Buckingham Palace viewing flowers left by people mourning the death of the queen.
As the king arrived outside, the Royal Standard was raised above Buckingham Palace for the first time during his reign.
Sep 09, 8:53 AM EDT
British Parliament members pays tribute to the queen
Both British houses of Parliament are meeting Friday for members to pay tribute to the queen in a special session of condolence.
Politics in both Houses will be on hold for a period of mourning.
“For the 70 glorious years of her reign, our queen was at the heart of this nation’s life,” Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said. “She did not simply reign over us, she lived alongside us.”
“It seems impossible to imagine a Britain without her,” he added.
There will also be a rare Saturday meeting where senior members of Parliament can take an oath of allegiance to the king. The meeting will end with an address to the king expressing condolences following his mother’s death.
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle will determine the timetable in the House for the following days, which is expected to be significantly reduced until after the state funeral for the queen.
This means new laws cannot be passed until Parliament returns, though it could be recalled for pressing matters.
-ABC News’ Zoe Magee
Sep 09, 8:37 AM EDT
King Charles III set to deliver remarks today
King Charles III will return to London this afternoon to record a televised address to the nation from Buckingham Palace. The speech will air at 1 p.m. ET before he attends the national service of thanksgiving for his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, at St. Paul’s Cathedral at 2 p.m. ET.
King Charles will be officially proclaimed king at 6 a.m. ET on Saturday from the balcony at St James’ Palace. The first son of Queen Elizabeth II became king the minute his mother died but the formal announcement will be made on Saturday.
Sep 09, 7:24 AM EDT
Sec. of State Antony Blinken comments on death of Queen Elizabeth II
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has shared the following statement to the people of the United Kingdom following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, 2022:
Together with the American people, I extend my deepest sympathies to His Majesty The King, the entire Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom, and the peoples of the Commonwealth on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
For more than 70 years – a period during which the United Kingdom and the world witnessed unprecedented change – Queen Elizabeth personified a sense of stability. During a time of tremendous division, she was a source of unity.
Her influence extended well beyond the Commonwealth. As Queen, she visited more than 120 countries, including the United States, where she made a point of meeting not only with leaders, but with people from all walks of life. She was the embodiment of the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and a symbol of the enduring alliance that has seen our nations through the greatest tests of the 20th and 21st centuries.
We join people around the world in mourning her passing, and we will forever be inspired by the memory of her service, leadership, and friendship.
Sep 09, 5:17 AM EDT
The queen’s final moments
Prince Charles and Princess Anne were with their mother in her final hours.
Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and his wife Sophie raced to be by her side, as did her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry but they did not get there in time.
Sep 09, 12:36 AM EDT
World reacts to Queen Elizabeth II’s death
Cities around the world joined in mourning Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday.
With Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Camilla becomes queen consort
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her eldest son Charles becomes king and his wife Camilla becomes queen consort.
The queen made the request for the title in February, saying that “it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
The statement marked the first time the queen had publicly addressed her daughter-in-law’s role in the future monarchy.
The eldest son of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch has taken his late mother’s place on the throne.
King Charles III is the first child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Upon the death of his mother on Sept. 8, Charles succeeded her as king of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms.
Charles, 73, was born at Buckingham Palace in London in 1948. He was just 3 years old when he became the heir apparent as his mother acceded to the throne as queen, following the death of her father, King George VI.
Sep 08, 3:26 PM EDT
Biden orders flags to half-staff
In a new proclamation, President Joe Biden has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff “until sunset, on the day of interment,” as a “mark of the respect for the memory of Queen Elizabeth II.”
“I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment,” the proclamation reads.
He continued, “I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle
Sep 08, 3:15 PM EDT
Former US presidents react over queen’s death
Former presidents of the United States have released statements in reaction to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
President Bill Clinton said in a statement that he and former first lady Hillary Clinton are mourning the passing of Her Majesty with the royal family and the rest of the world, describing her life as “extraordinary.”
“Throughout her remarkable 70-year reign, she led Britain through great transformations with unfailing grace, dignity, and genuine care for the welfare of all its people,” Bill Clinton said. “In sunshine or storm, she was a source of stability, serenity and strength.”
Bill Clinton added that he and Hillary Clinton “will always be grateful” to the kindness the queen showed them during visits to Buckingham Palace in 1995 and 2000.
President George W. Bush said in a statement that he and former first lady Laura Bush were “honored” to know the queen, describing her as a “woman of great intellect, charm and wit.”
“Spending time at Buckingham Palace, and having tea with Her Majesty — and her Corgis — is among our fondest memories of the presidency,” George W. Bush said.
The queen was able to lead the U.K. through dark moments with “her confidence in her people and her vision for a brighter tomorrow,” George W. Bush said.
“Our world benefitted from her steady resolve, and we are grateful for her decades of service as sovereign,” George W. Bush said. “Americans in particular appreciate her strong and steadfast friendship.”
President Barack Obama said in a statement that he and former first lady Michelle Obama were “lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty,” adding that the queen “meant a great deal to” to them.
“Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as President and First Lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity,” Barack Obama said. “Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humor and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance.”
Barack Obama continued, “Like so many, Michelle and I are grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty’s dedicated leadership, and we are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of the United Kingdom at this difficult time.”
President Donald Trump also released a statement following the news of the queen’s death, saying that he and former first lady Melania Trump will always cherish their time together with the queen and will “never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor.”
“Melania and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Donald Trump said on Truth Social, his social media platform. “Together with our family and fellow Americans, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this time of great sorrow and grief. Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain.”
Sep 08, 2:47 PM EDT
UK thrived under Elizabeth’s reign, says Liz Truss
The newly appointed prime minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss, emphasized the importance of Queen Elizabeth II’s rule while addressing the death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch on Thursday.
“Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built,” Truss said outside of 10 Downing Street on Thursday. “Our country has grown and flourished under her reign. Britain is the great country it is today because of her.”
Among the accomplishments Truss highlighted were Elizabeth’s accomplishment of growing the Commonwealth from a small group of seven countries to a “family of 56 nations” as well as visiting more than 100 countries as sovereign.
The queen, who met with Truss on Tuesday at Balmoral, invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, to form a new government as prime minister, an act emblematic of the queen’s devotion to duty, Truss said.
“Earlier this week, at 96, she remained determined to carry out her duties as she appointed me as her 15th prime minister,” Truss said, describing her as the “the very spirit of Great Britain.”
Truss also extended condolences to the now-King Charles III, calling for the country to support him in the passing of the crown.
“We offer him our loyalty, and devotion, just as his mother devoted so much to so many for so long,” Truss said.
Sep 08, 2:21 PM EDT
Charles on queen’s passing: ‘A moment of the greatest sadness’
The queen’s eldest son and new king of England — who will be known as King Charles III — released a statement following his mother’s passing.
“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,” Charles said.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” the statement continued.
Sep 08, 2:06 PM EDT
UK lowers flags to half-mast as rainbows appear
The U.K. ordered all flags to fly at half-mast in the wake of the queen’s death Thursday.
In a bit of fortuitous timing, the rain clouds eased up following the announcement and rainbows appeared over Buckingham Palace.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also ordered the flags to fly at half-mast over the Capitol in tribute to the monarch, according to her deputy chief of staff.
Sep 08, 2:02 PM EDT
How the British royal line of succession changes
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, there is a new line of succession to the British throne.
The queen’s oldest son, Charles, the Prince of Wales, is now the new king. Members of his direct family — including his sons, Princes William and Harry — are now higher in the line of succession.
In general, succession falls to the first-born child of the heir and their children, followed by the next oldest sibling of the heir and their offspring and so on.
Sep 08, 1:51 PM EDT
What comes next after queen’s passing?
With the queen’s death come questions about what happens next, as the world has not witnessed a changeover in Britain’s monarchy in 70 years.
The U.K. government and the royal family have been planning for years to ensure a smooth transition after the queen’s death, and to appropriately honor her history-making reign.
Buckingham Palace announced Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II has died. She was 96.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the palace said in a statement. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Elizabeth is survived by her three sons, Charles, Prince of Wales; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; her daughter, Anne, Princess Royal; her eight grandchildren, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie; Peter and Zara Phillips; Lady Louise Windsor; and James, Viscount Severn. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren.
Her oldest son, Charles, succeeds her as king. His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is expected to become queen consort, a title that Elizabeth requested at the time of her Platinum Jubilee in June.
Charles’s oldest son, William, is now heir apparent to the throne.
Sep 08, 1:10 PM EDT
Biden briefed on queen’s health, White House says
U.S. President Joe Biden has been briefed on Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and “will be updated throughout the day concerning news out of the United Kingdom,” given the reports of her health, White House spokesperson John Kirby said Thursday
“His and the first lady’s thoughts are solidly and squarely with the queen today and her family,” Kirby told reporters.
Biden also expressed that his thoughts are with U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss, who took office on Tuesday and is currently taking part in a previously scheduled phone call with Biden and other allies focused on “continued support for Ukraine,” according to Kirby.
“I can tell you that in this video conference that the president is having as we speak, I can tell you that he did convey to Prime Minister Truss, who is on the video teleconference, that he and Dr. Biden are thinking very much of the queen and the family and the people of the United Kingdom,” Kirby said.
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle
Sep 08, 10:05 AM EDT
UK prime minister ‘deeply concerned’ about queen
U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss took to Twitter on Thursday to say that her “thoughts — and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom — are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time.”
“The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime,” Truss tweeted.
Truss, who was recently selected as the new leader of the United Kingdom’s ruling Conservative Party, had an audience with the queen at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Tuesday, during which she was formally asked to form a new government as prime minister after Boris Johnson’s official resignation. It was the first time in the queen’s 70-year reign that the ceremonial transfer of power was held at Balmoral, rather than at Buckingham Palace in London.
Sep 08, 9:41 AM EDT
Senior royals head to Balmoral Castle
Senior members of the British royal family are either at or on their way to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Queen Elizabeth II remains “under medical supervision.”
The queen’s oldest child and the heir to her throne, Charles, prince of Wales; and his wife, Camilla, duchess of Cornwall; as well as the queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, are already at Balmoral, according to their respective spokespersons.
Meanwhile, the queen’s other sons, Prince Andrew, duke of York; and Prince Edward, earl of Wessex; as well as Edward’s wife, Sophie, countess of Wessex; Charles’ two sons, Prince William, duke of Cambridge; Prince Harry, duke of Sussex; and Harry’s wife, Meghan, duchess of Sussex, are all on their way to Balmoral, their respective spokespersons confirmed.
