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Virgin Atlantic names plane after Queen Elizabeth II

The design of the ‘Queen of the Skies’, notably is painted with an image of a redheaded woman wearing a dress in Virgin’s trademark red shade…reports Asian Lite News

British airline Virgin Atlantic has named a plane after Queen Elizabeth II to honour the late monarch and her 70-year reign in the United Kingdom.

Repurposing its phrase name in honour of the late British Queen, the airline’s brand new Airbus A330neo, with the registration G-VEII, has been dubbed Queen of the Skies.

This is not the first time the airlines are doing something like this. Previously as well, the airline has occasionally named its planes after notable women in history, including British suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, singer Billie Holiday and Diana, Princess of Wales.

“We’re delighted to soon be welcoming ‘Queen of the Skies’ to our fleet and hope that it serves as a fitting tribute to an unforgettable, much-loved monarch,” CNN quoted Corneel Koster, chief customer and operations officer at Virgin Atlantic as saying.

Queen Elizabeth, who passed away in September 2022 visited more than 120 countries during her reign. In 2019, the A330neo was delivered amid great excitement. Long, narrow wings on wide-body aircraft reduce air drag and result in fuel savings.

The design of the ‘Queen of the Skies’, notably is painted with an image of a redheaded woman wearing a dress in Virgin’s trademark red shade.

“Just like Queen Elizabeth during her historic 70-year reign, Virgin Atlantic is proud to fly the flag for the United Kingdom around the world,” said Corneel Koster, chief customer and operations officer at Virgin Atlantic, in a statement.

“We’re delighted to soon be welcoming ‘Queen of the Skies’ to our fleet and hope that it serves as a fitting tribute to an unforgettable, much-loved monarch.”

Queen Elizabeth, who died in September 2022, was a frequent traveler during her reign, visiting more than 120 countries.

The Royal Air Force plane that carried her coffin from Edinburgh to London ahead of her funeral set a record on the flight-tracking website FlighRadar24. The 72-minute flight was followed by 4.79 million people on Flightradar24’s website and mobile app, plus an additional 296,000 who tracked the plane on YouTube.

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Chinese delegation blocked from attending Queen’s lying-in state

This key development comes at a time when the UK government has toughened its stance on China, reports Asian Lite News

All heads of state visiting London for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral have been invited to attend the lying-in-state in Westminster Hall ahead of Monday’s state funeral, and to sign a book of condolences at Lancaster House.

However, opening a fresh diplomatic rift with Beijing, a Chinese government delegation has been refused permission by the House of Commons authorities to attend the queen’s lying-in-state in Westminster Hall, London, Politico reported citing a senior parliamentary figure familiar with the matter.

House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle fired new diplomatic salvos when he told his colleagues that he declined a request for Chinese officials to be allowed to access Westminster Hall, where the late queen will lie in state until her funeral on Monday. Hoyle’s office said it did not comment on security matters, reported Politico.

It must be noted that Westminster Hall forms part of the Palace of Westminster, over which the Commons and Lords speakers have authority.

This key development comes at a time when the UK government has toughened its stance on China. The newly appointed UK Prime Minister Liz Truss during the Tory leadership debates indicated that she will be more hawkish towards Beijing than her predecessor Boris Johnson.

Truss also raised her voice for the formal recognization of the Uyghur genocide and rejig its long-term foreign and defense strategy — with stronger language on China, reported Politico.

The UK attitude towards China was also highly visible when the then foreign secretary, Truss, in August, summoned the Chinese ambassador over Beijing’s aggression towards Taiwan and said there had been “increasingly aggressive behaviour and rhetoric from Beijing in recent months, which threaten peace and stability in the region.”

In a similar instance to the barring of the Chinese delegation from Westminster Hall, last year, the Commons and Lords speakers banned the Chinese ambassador, Zheng Zeguang, from entering parliament after Beijing imposed sanctions on a number of British politicians who have been critical of its treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.

The invitations to the queen’s funeral were drafted by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office last week. Chinese President Xi Jinping received an official invite as China’s head of state, though is not expected to attend in person.

Helena Kennedy, a Labour peer who is among the politicians sanctioned by Beijing, said: “I feel very strongly that Chinese government officials should be barred from participating in this occasion where the nation of Britain is celebrating the life of our queen,” she said. “They are attacking our parliamentary and constitutional system through members of our legislature.” (ANI)

ALSO READ: 6 countries not invited to Queen funeral

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Queen was with me at happiest and saddest times: William

Prince William termed the passing away of the Queen as an unreal day for him, reports Asian Lite News

William, the Prince of Wales, on Saturday wrote a heartfelt message over the demise of his “Grannie”, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Recalling the cherished memories with his grannie, Prince William expressed gratitude towards the Queen’s wisdom and reassurance. Prince also reminisced his grannie’s fond memories while thanking her for 20 years of guidance and support to the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton.

“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 20 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. She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.”

“On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign. I, however, have lost a grandmother,” he added.

He termed the passing away of the Queen as an unreal day for him. “I knew this day would come, but it will be sometime before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” the Prince of Wales tweeted.

“My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen. I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can.”

A portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II with the next three heirs — Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George — to the throne was released to mark the start of the new decade.

Prince William also admired the Queen for her life-long devotion and service to the nation. “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.”

After King Charles III took the throne as the new monarch of England on Saturday after his mother Queen Elizabeth II passed away, a second Proclamation following the principal proclamation was read in the City of London, at the Royal Exchange.

The second proclamation has been made at the Royal Exchange in London as thousands gathered to witness history in the making. State trumpeters sounded a fanfare, as crowds fell into silence to hear the announcement.

As is convention further Proclamations will be read in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at 1200 hours the following day on Sunday, September 11. In recognition of the new Sovereign, flags are flown at full mast from the time of the Principal Proclamation at St James’s Palace until one hour after the Proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, after which flags will return to half-mast in mourning for the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

King Charles III was proclaimed as the new monarch of England after his mother Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday. King Charles Philip Arthur George paid tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and spoke of the “great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty.”

“I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty which have now passed to me. In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these Islands and of the Commonwealth Realms and Territories throughout the world,” King said soon after being proclaimed Britain’s new monarch at the Accession Council at St James’s Palace in London.

Dressed in a formal black tuxedo, Charles, 73, has been proclaimed the new King of England. With the new development, his wife Camilla Parker Bowles will now be England’s Queen consort.

On Friday, Charles, the longest heir to the throne, and Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace in London and met mourners, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Buckingham Palace was swarmed with waves of mourners held back by barriers as Charles met the crowds.

The royal dignitary received a warm reception as he passed the crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace. Charles was offered bouquets of flowers and even a kiss on the cheek as he shook hands with those who had gathered to see him arrive.

He was by his mother’s side at her beloved Scottish Highlands home as her health deteriorated, and returned to the capital to hold his first audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Born on November 14, 1948, he was the first child of Elizabeth and Philip, then the princess and prince. At the age of 19, he formally became the Prince of Wales on July 1, 1969.

He married Lady Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981, and became the first royal heir since 1660 to marry an English woman. In August 1996, Diana and Charles went their separate ways and got legally divorced.

After Diana’s demise in a car accident, Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in April 2005. Soon, the couple got the royal title of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. (ANI)

ALSO READ: King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

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Charles III officially proclaimed Britain’s King

The Accession Council, a body made up of senior politicians, judges and officials, proclaimed him as the monarch in the State Apartments, reports Asian Lite News

For the first time in a televised ceremony, King Charles III was on Saturday officially proclaimed the new British monarch following the demise of his 96-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II who reigned for 70 years on the throne.

Charles, the Queen’s first born, became king immediately after her death on Thursday, but a historic meeting formally confirmed his role on Saturday during the ceremony at St James’s Palace, says the BBC.

The Accession Council, a body made up of senior politicians, judges and officials, proclaimed him as the monarch in the State Apartments.

Following the proclamation, the King formally announced the death of his “beloved mother, the Queen”.

“The whole world sympathises with me in the irreparable loss we’ve all suffered,” he said.

“My mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service. My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, dedication and devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life.

“I am deeply aware of this deep inheritance and of the grave duties and responsibilities which are now passed to me,” the BBC quoted Charles as saying.

He then went on to thank Queen Consort Camilla, saying: “I am profoundly encouraged by the constant support of my beloved wife.”

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Prime Minister Liz Truss, and former premiers Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Theresa May, as well as Archbishop Justin Welby and Prince William.

Before Charles was named the King, the death of the Queen was formally announced.

The 200 or so people gathered in the room all then said ‘God save the King’ before documents were signed.

Flags that were lowered in mourning for the late Queen will fly full-mast for a short time.

A wave of further proclamations will take place across the UK until Sunday.

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