Remembering Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Chicago as world mourns monarch’s death

CHICAGO (WLS) — Though Queen Elizabeth II was the British monarch, her loss of life is being felt throughout the pond in America.

The Royal Household introduced Thursday afternoon that the Queen “died peacefully at Balmoral,” on the age of 96.

She handed at 6:30 p.m. London time.

A logo of power and resolve for generations, Queen Elizabeth was iconic.

10 issues to find out about Queen Elizabeth II’s life

And as our cousins throughout the Atlantic mourn, we bear in mind the nice grandmother, the matriarch and the monarch who made that significant and whirlwind journey to Chicago.

On July sixth, 1959, the Queen and Prince Philip made their approach to a the jetty, crossing from Buckingham Fountain, receiving a royal welcome full with roses and lending a monarch’s moniker to the area recognized ever since as Queen’s Touchdown.

“I am 13 years previous. You see the Queen of England arriving and her husband, the Prince,” stated John Daley, Prepare dinner County Commissioner.

The Prepare dinner County commissioner was there along with his household and father Mayor Richard J. Daley.

“Unbelievable reception she obtained that day,” he added.

The Queen traveled in an open air motorcade down Michigan Avenue, with tens of hundreds lining as much as catch a glimpse. Many extra had been alongside State Avenue, proper the place our ABC 7 Studios now sits, to look at her royal highness take within the metropolis websites and add much more worldwide legitimacy to the third coast.

“She put Chicago on the map. After which after her, all dignitaries who got here to the US needed to ensure they got here to town of Chicago,” Daley stated.

A younger commissioner, Daley even met the queen that night.

“I discovered her to be only a good particular person. A human particular person who cared about her household. Requested questions on our household. What our ages was,” he stated.

Whereas her journey was brief – lower than 24 hours – College of Chicago Professor of Historical past Steven Pincus stated merely, her presence spoke volumes.

“Coming to Chicago within the Nineteen Sixties meant Chicago was on the stage, actually with New York, however with Paris, London, Moscow, Berlin. It was a world metropolis,” Pincus stated.

Now, Chicago is a metropolis that thrives right this moment because it remembers a royal with resolve.

“The truth that a monarch got here — of all of the Midwest cities — she selected Chicago, says loads,” Daley stated.

Commissioner Daley stated the Queen was extremely caring throughout their brief assembly and that she is a shining instance of public service.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is amongst many within the U.S. who are usually not solely mourning her, but additionally remembering her life and legacy after 70 years on the throne.

“I be part of the world in mourning the loss of life of Queen Elizabeth II. For over seven a long time she led with grace and was an inspiration for a lot of,” Pritzker stated in a tweet.

In a brand new proclamation, President Biden has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff till “till sundown, on the day of interment,” he introduced.

“As a mark of respect for the reminiscence of Queen Elizabeth II, by the authority vested in me as President of the US by the Structure and the legal guidelines of the US of America, I hereby order that the flag of the US shall be flown at half-staff on the White Home and upon all public buildings and grounds, in any respect navy posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Authorities within the District of Columbia and all through the US and its Territories and possessions till sundown, on the day of interment,” the proclamation reads.

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was greater than a monarch. She outlined an period,” the additionally stated in an announcement. “Queen Elizabeth II led at all times with grace, an unwavering dedication to obligation, and the incomparable energy of her instance. She was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and fidelity who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the UK and the US. She helped make our relationship particular. The seven a long time of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human development and the ahead march of human dignity. Her legacy will loom massive within the pages of British historical past, and within the story of our world.”

Former President Donald Trump posted an announcement on his Reality Social platform that stated partly:

“Melania and I are deeply saddened to study of the lack of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Along with our household and fellow People, we ship our honest condolences to the Royal Household and the individuals of the UK throughout this time of nice sorrow and grief. Queen Elizabeth’s historic and noteworthy reign left an amazing legacy of peace and prosperity for Nice Britain. Her management and enduring diplomacy secured and superior alliances with the US and nations all over the world.”

The Obamas launched an announcement marking the Queen’s passing saying partly:

“Michelle and I had been fortunate sufficient to return to know Her Majesty, and she or he meant an important deal to us. Again after we had been simply starting to navigate life as President and First Girl, she welcomed us to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity. Repeatedly, we had been struck by her heat, the best way she put individuals relaxed, and the way she introduced her appreciable humor and allure to moments of nice pomp and circumstance… Like so many, Michelle and I are grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty’s devoted management, and we’re awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service. Our ideas are along with her household and the individuals of the UK at this troublesome time.”

Former President Invoice Clinton additionally expressed his condolences following the information.

“My ideas and prayers are with the Royal Household and all of the individuals Her Majesty impressed all through her lifetime of service,” he stated in a tweet together with an extended assertion.

Former President George W. Bush stated the Queen “was a lady of nice mind, allure, and wit.” He added that “spending time at Buckingham Palace, and having tea with Her Majesty – and her Corgis – is amongst our fondest reminiscences of the presidency.”

Earlier within the day Thursday, medical doctors had expressed concern over her well being and that she had been positioned underneath medical supervision.

Now, her eldest son, 73-year-old Prince Charles, turns into the King of England instantly upon his mom’s loss of life.

Royal Household subsequent in line: Who’s who in Home of Windsor; Queen Elizabeth II’s line of succession

Her loss of life comes roughly a 12 months after the loss of life of her husband Prince Philip, also called the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on the age of 99 on April 9, 2021, in Windsor Citadel.