How The Northern Echo front pages covered Queen Elizabeth II's death

As the country prepares to mark one year on from Queen Elizabeth II's death, The Northern Echo reflects on the front pages of the newspapers during that period.

On September 8, 2022, the nation started its period of mourning after it was announced that its longest-reigning monarch had died aged 96.

The late Queen symbolised the stability of the nation, and most people had known no other monarch on the British throne.

A year ago on Friday, Queen Elizabeth II was at Balmoral Castle in Scotland where she had been enjoying her annual summer holiday.

But fears for her health dramatically escalated on September 8 2022 when the Palace announced the monarch was under medical supervision at her Aberdeenshire residence and her doctors were concerned.

Then rumours regarding her health began to circulate early on the morning of September 8, and hours later at 12.32pm the Palace released its concerning statement.

The Princess Royal was already at the late Queen’s bedside and the then-Prince of Wales had flown from Dumfries House to be with her that morning after being alerted about her condition, while the then-Duchess of Cornwall travelled by road from Birkhall.

The monarch’s other children, the Duke of York and the then-Earl of Wessex – along with the then-Duke of Cambridge and Countess of Wessex – made the urgent dash to Scotland on a Royal Air Force flight to say their final farewells.

But in the end, they were all too late. The late Queen died at 3.10pm, her death certificate later revealed, with the cause listed as “old age”.

News of the monarch’s demise and the accession of Charles as King was announced to the world by Buckingham Palace just over three hours later at 6.30pm that evening.

Tributes began to pour in from across the globe.

Over the next 11 days, the London Bridge plans in the event of the sovereign’s death were meticulously put into place.

Queen Elizabeth II was honoured with processions, vigils, a lying in state, a grand state funeral in Westminster Abbey and a poignant committal service in Windsor.

In the weeks that followed, The Northern Echo dedicated the majority of its front pages to its longest-serving monarch and her life of service.

On the day after her death, the newspaper selected a contrast of a black background with a colour picture of the Queen, with a quote of hers on the back: "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service."

This was followed by subsequent front pages showing the floral tributes at Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Sandringham, her coffin being driven to London and the day of her funeral itself.

There was also a front page the day after, which covered the new King's speech - paying tribute to his mother.

Here are the front pages and how they covered Queen Elizabeth II's death:

Friday, September 9 (the day after the Queen's death)

The Northern Echo: