From the moment Buckingham Palace released a statement on 8th September saying that doctors were concerned for the health of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, crowds of all ages began to gather in front of Buckingham Palace, despite rain showers throughout the day.
People continued to gather, growing increasingly concerned for the Queens health and waiting for news from the palace as the afternoon went on, continuing into the early evening. And as afternoon began to turn to evening, the showers that had peppered the day faded and a rainbow began to appear in the sky.
However, all eyes were soon on the Palace. Just after 6.30pm, it was announced that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away peacefully at Balmoral at the age of 96 after a seventy year reign.
The crowds at Buckingham Palace realised as they witnessed the flag above the palace being lowered to half-mast that the Monarch had died. Some checked their phones, others began to sing the National Anthem and then silence fell as the news was confirmed. And above their heads, a rather striking sight took shape.
For the single stripe of colours that had begun to take shape had become a double rainbow above the Palace just as the news of Her Majesty’s death was confirmed. And a vibrant rainbow appeared over The Queen’s beloved Windsor Castle for a few minutes as the flag was lowered to half-mast. It’s been taken by some as a show of natural splendour, fitting for the end of a glorious reign.
In keeping with Royal tradition, two footmen appeared from the palace, carrying the framed official notice to announce the death of The Queen and attached it to the railings of Buckingham Palace. It read “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
The double rainbow glowed even brighter over Buckingham Palace and The Queen Victoria memorial, reminding us that their is light even in the darkest of days.
Thousands of mourners gathered as the news spread and the evening went on, with many paying their respects by laying flowers in front of the palace gates.
