Known for her big hats and subtle sass, Queen Elizabeth II turned heads in more ways than one. She was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, leading the country through wars into modern times. Following her recent death, thoughts and well-wishes for the Royal Family stretch from Britain all the way to Klein Oak.

Prominent members of the Royal Family, including newly-minted King Charles, his wife Queen Consort Camilla, and the Queen’s other three children, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, all rushed to Balmoral, the Royal Family’s home in Scotland to join the 96-year-old Queen in her time of need.

“My best friend and I broke out into tears when a student walked into German class looking for his AirPods and casually announced the Queen’s death,” senior Lorelei Husband said. “Growing up in Canada, I would always sing ‘God save our Queen’ every Monday as a child. The Queen has always been there, and now that she’s gone, I have a slight feeling of emptiness.”

The Queen had been suffering from what Buckingham Palace called “episodic mobility problems” for the last year but continued her servitude in spite of her pain.

“Queen Elizabeth ruling is just one of those things that have been a constant in my life,” junior Ren Murphy said. “I didn’t think she’d die anytime soon, so having it happen during lunch randomly was very unexpected, and I know it’s going to affect the future.”

Two days before her death, the Queen made her final public appearance to welcome the new prime minister, Elizabeth Truss. Truss told Reuters that Queen Elizabeth II was, “the rock on which modern Britain was built. Our country has grown and flourished under her reign.”

“I think it’s sad when anyone dies, however, we really need to think about what she’s done to other countries and indigenous people,” senior Kara Burks said. “She supported colonization, so I’m not really that sad about the change in leadership. I know older generations may be unhappy about it because patriotism was their thing, but I really think we need to steer away from that, learn from our mistakes and make a more inclusive future.”

“Operation London Bridge” is the official protocol that outlines how to handle the first 10 days following Her Majesty’s passing as the country goes through its mourning period. Upon the moment of the Queen’s death, her 73-year-old son Prince Charles III effectively became King, however, the official announcement of the power shift comes the day after her death in order to pay due respect to the Queen’s long reign.

Queen Elizabeth II took the throne in 1952 at age 25 upon her father’s death, King George VI. Earlier this year, Britain celebrated the Queen’s 70th year in power, but now mourns her passing along with admirers across the globe.

“Queen Elizabeth was a servant leader,” Algebra teacher Jan Goulden said. “During her reign, she put her service to her country as her priority.”