- UK Prime Minister Liz Truss paid tribute to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
- She described the Queen, who reigned for 70 years, as "the rock on which modern Britain was built."
The UK Prime Minister Liz Truss paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following the death of the monarch who reigned for 70 years.
The Queen died at the age of 96 on Thursday, and was the UK's longest-reigning monarch. Palace officials made the announcement at around 6.30 p.m. local time.
Truss formally took the mantle of prime minister just three days ago — an appointment that is made directly by the Queen.
Speaking outside No. 10 Downing Street, Truss described the Queen as "the rock on which modern Britain was built."
"Our country has grown and flourished under her reign. Britain is the great country it is today because of her," Truss continued, outlining the Queen's ascent to the throne just after WWII and her growth of the Commonwealth group of nations.
"We are now a modern, thriving dynamic nation," Truss continued, emphasizing "stability and strength" projected throughout her reign.
Truss also noted that she was the 15th prime minister appointed by the Queen — the first being Winston Churchill.
"She's visited more than 100 countries, and she has touched the lives of millions around the world," Truss said.
"In the difficult days ahead, we will come together with our friends across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world to celebrate her extraordinary lifetime of service.
"It is a day of great loss, but Queen Elizabeth II leaves a great legacy."
She went on to offer allegiance to King Charles III, who automatically became king upon the Queen's death.
"The crown passes as it has done for more than 1000 years to our new monarch, our new head of state, His Majesty King Charles III," she said.
"We offer him our loyalty and devotion just as his mother devoted so much to so many for so long.
"And with the passing of the second Elizabethan age, we usher in a new era, in the magnificent history of our great country. Exactly as Her Majesty would have wished by saying the words, 'God save the King.'"