HOC Speaker announcing the Queen's health has deteriorated.

[MrsRobinsonsHandprints]

I'm not really a Royalist, but this is sad news. The fact it has been announced in the HOC makes me think she must be really quite unwell.

She is just such a constant, a link to a world that no longer exists. A person that actually believes in duty to the country.

The fact that Harry and Meghan were here does that mean her health concern was already significant, that she did her duty on Tue whilst already very unwell?

@ShowOfHands - so sorry for your loss. I had a similar wonderful day with my dad, spent the whole day with him laughing and reminiscing and setting the world to rights, watched him demolish a chip-shop lunch that one of his wonderful carers had sent her husband to fetch, and then he slipped away holding my hand a couple of days later, having deteriorated quickly that morning but hung on until I got there. He was 94 and we couldn't have asked for better.

No they were coming over on a planned trip to Europe, had no plans to meet family.

That's made me feel quite sad actually. Will it be the last time anyone will ride in her colours? Quite a thing for whoever the jockey is, and a lot of pressure I would imagine.

And if anyone needs her advice and support right now, it's Liz Truss

They were already in the UK as they are doing some Invictus Games stuff in Germany, but I don't think that the timing is a coincidence. But I can be a bit of a cynic.

If anyone does fancy a bet, her runner is called Improvise. She always names her horses well, Improvise is a daughter of Set To Music.

Benoit De La Sayette, a young apprentice jockey, is riding. The colours actually belong to the reigning Monarch, so they will pass straight to Charles and become his colours (he already has his own set for his handful of horses).

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/16/what-happens-when-queen-elizabeth-dies-london-bridge

plan for announcing Queens passing - some of it already appears to have happened

Not being paranoid, but has Hugh changed his jacket? I swear he was in a navy pinstripe when he came on air, but it looks like a plain black one now. I'm watching on my ipad now while I work and was watching on the TV before so it could be my screen.

Recently came across this lovely pic of her when she was young (with Margaret in the foreground). She's been a brilliant Queen - probably the last of her kind.

Something happening at Balmoral - gate open and armed police on guard while they put out crowd control barriers.

Absolutely. Though I did think it a bit strange that she seemed quite underdressed for such a momentous meeting, skirt and blouse - clearly she wasn't well enough to do much more than make a brief appearance for a handshake. Total trooper though. 👏

Who else would have been working with health in such a decline, two days ago she was appointing a new priminister. Hat's off to her, no matter what you think of the monarchy, no one could have given more of themselves to the role.

The could just be anticipating people turning up to have a gawk and be on the spot in case something happens.

If H&M are there and try to sell a story about this it would be the lowest of the low

Start a different thread please

I'm feeling very shaken, and I didn't expect to feel like this. I'm on my way home from an appointment and just want to get home.

He’s still wearing the same dark pinstriped jacket.

I don't understand why Harry and Meghan would be there and not her other grandchildren. She has 8 and I'm sure she loves them all.

Apparently it’s roughly an hour’s drive from Aberdeen airport to Balmoral.

This is it. All the children have been summoned and other family members. I just hope that the general public would stay away from Balmoral.

Interesting article, not least because I appear to be part of the plan

At Sky News and ITN, which for years rehearsed the death of the Queen substituting the name “Mrs Robinson”, calls will go out to royal experts who have already signed contracts

News said William is also on his way. Other might be aswell but Harry and William (and Megan) are the most marketable in news.

I'm not a massive monarchy fan, but she really is the last bit of the "old world" isn't she?

a sad day.

Copied quote from sky news

"Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, the Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also travelling to be by the Queen's side.

Princess Anne is already with Her Majesty at her Scottish residence."