To honor the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96, flags will be flown at half-mast across the nation.
Millions of people are in sadness after the announcement of Her Majesty’s passing on Friday, as tributes pour in to honor the queen with the longest reigning period in history (seven decades).
Australia’s flags will be flying half-mask above famous sites including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Australian Parliament Building in Canberra.
The world is in mourning following the shock death of Queen Elizabeth II, with Australians flocking to sign condolence books and flags to fly at half mast
The Australian and Indigenous flags on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were both brought to half mast on Friday
Workers in the rain outside of Parliament House in Canberra, bringing the flags to half mast
Australian flags at Parliament House in Canberra are at half mast as the nation mourns the Queen’s passing
Parliament House in Canberra flying the Australian flags at half mast
Workers were captured out in the rain as they lowered multiple flags to half mast out the front of Parliament House in Canberra.
Special tributes took place at Sydney’s St Andrews Cathedral in Sydney, where the Australian flag was also lowered.
Members of the public could be seen paying their respects, laying down flowers and photos of the Queen outside the front doors of the building.
St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney marked the passing of the Queen with flags at half mast and people laying floral tributes
Members of the public arrived at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney to pay their respects
One man is seen placing a photo of The Queen in front of flowers left outside St Andrew’s Cathedral
A condolence book opened at St Andrew’s Cathedral for people to leave messages for the Queen
A visiting school class observed at a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen at parliament house in Canberra on Friday
A condolence book was also available at the Cathedral for people to leave special messages.
A visiting school class observed at a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen at parliament house in Canberra on Friday.
Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese issued a touching tribute to The Queen, noting her many achievements and incredible strength of character over her 70-year reign.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a touching tribute to the Queen, noting her many achievements and incredible strength of character over her 70-year reign
‘With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end.
‘The government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother – the person whom for so long was their greatest inner strength.
‘Australian hearts go out to the people of the UK who mourn today, knowing they will feel they have lost part of what makes their nation whole.
‘There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: “Grief is the price we pay for love”.
‘This is a loss we all feel, for few have known a world without Queen Elizabeth II. In her seven remarkable decades on the throne, Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change,’ he said.
The Queen’s place in the hearts of millions of Australians was as abiding as her lifelong relationship with the one-time colony. She is pictured receiving flowers from waiting school children waving flags after a Commonwealth Day Service in Sydney in March 2006
Mr Albanese said Her Majesty was a source of strength for many Australians, a singular constant no matter the circumstance.
‘Queen Elizabeth II has been a wise and encouraging guide, always wanting the best for our nation and greeting each change with understanding, good grace and an abiding faith in the Australian people’s judgement.
‘Throughout it all, she was a monarch who let her humanity show, performing her duty with fidelity, integrity and humour.
‘In this, she was supported so long and so lovingly by the late Prince Philip, her “strength and stay” for 73 years.’
Across the weekend, a proclamation ceremony will be held at Parliament House in Canberra. The event is open to the public, subject to any public health restrictions in force at the time.
The governor-general will read the proclamation on the forecourt of parliament house, followed by a 21-gun salute.
The salute will take place at dusk and consist of one round for each year of the Queen’s life at 10-second intervals.
The Queen visited Australia in 1954, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2011 – her last time on these shores. She is pictured in 1981
There won’t be a recognized time of mourning nationwide. Instead, Australia will begin a 14-day commemoration that will see the suspension of parliament.
Until the day of the burial in the UK, the Australian flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag will be raised according to instructions for the proclamation.
In Canberra, Government House and Parliament House will both have condolence books accessible.
Additionally, each state’s government houses will have condolence books available. There will also be a facility for sending online condolences on the websites for the governor general and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Flowers may be put on the forecourts of Parliament House and Government House in Canberra.
Floral tributes will be handled locally in each state and territory.
The royal family has advised Australians to think about making a gift to a charity of their choosing rather than leaving flower tributes.