Meghan Markle's estranged father pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Meghan Markle's father has paid tribute to The Queen following her passing.

Queen Elizabeth II died yesterday afternoon (8 September) surrounded by her family in Balmoral Castle, Scotland.

The late Queen had a record 70-year reign, celebrating her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.

The news has since sent the nation into mourning and Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle's estranged father, is no exception.

Thomas, 78, has dubbed the death of Britain's longest-reigning monarch 'the end of an era'.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 78-year-old described the death as 'truly a loss to the world'.

While Thomas never actually met The Queen, as he did not attend Meghan and Harry's royal wedding back in 2018, he noted that it 'feels like we've all lost a member of our family'.

He continued: "My heart goes out to the Royal Family and to the British people for their loss of the most-loved and admired Queen Elizabeth.

"Her service, grace and devotion signals the end of an era and she will always be cherished in our memories."

Following the news, The Prince of Wales will now become King Charles III with Camilla, former Duchess of Cornwall, acting as Queen Consort of the United Kingdom.

Upon Queen Elizabeth's death, Buckingham Palace issued the official statement: "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."

Charles also issued a statement yesterday.

It read: "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.

"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and 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."

Tributes have flooded in from all over the world upon hearing the news, including from American President Joe Biden issuing the statement: "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era."

Biden continued: "In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her."

Queen Elizabeth II, first taking the throne back in 1952, earned the royal accolade of the first ever British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

Her Majesty's funeral is set to take place in Westminster Abbey, 10 days after her death.

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