Uhuru's Message of Condolence After Queen Elizabeth II's Death

President Uhuru Kenyatta has joined other world leaders in mourning Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who passed away on Thursday, September 8 at her Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

In his message of condolence and comfort to His Majesty King Charles III, the Royal Family, Prime Minister Liz Truss and the British people, President Kenyatta mourned the 96-year-old monarch as a towering global icon of selfless service to humanity.

"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a towering icon of selfless service to humanity and a key figurehead of not only the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations where Kenya is a distinguished member but the entire world," President Kenyatta mourned.

Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip during a safari in Kenya in 1952. /BBC

The President said he received the sad news of the passing on of Queen Elizabeth II with great sorrow and a deep sense of loss saying the People and the Government of the Republic of Kenya stand in solidarity with the Royal Family, the United Kingdom and the world in mourning the departed monarch.

The Head of State recalled Kenya's close ties with Queen Elizabeth II noting that the longest-serving monarch in British history took over from her father, King George VI, who died while she was on safari in Kenya.

Queen Elizabeth II, full name Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, ascended to the throne and became Queen on February 6, 1952, aged 25 years. She celebrated her platinum jubilee this year to mark 70 years of her reign.

She was crowned in June 1953, in Westminster Abbey, in the first-ever broadcast coronation.

Following her demise, Prince Charles took over the mantle of leadership, becoming the next King. Charles was Queen Elizabeth's eldest son.

"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world," he stated.

"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held," added.

The new king will lead the country in mourning before Queen Elizabeth is laid to rest, marking the end of her reign.

The Royal family comprising Prince Charles and his wife,  Duchess of Cornwall, Duke of York and the Count and Countess of Wessex, Princess Royal, Princess Anne, had cancelled their plans to visit the Queen. 

Following her death, Operation London Bridge was implemented, a protocol detailing the events that must be undertaken when the long-reigning royal passes away.

A photo of London Bridge. /UNSPLASH