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Queen Elizabeth II

Friday

The last time Britain had a coronation was 70 years ago. Here's what it looked like

At Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, the royal family pose at Westminster Abbey in London on June 2, 1953. Universal History Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Universal History Archive/Getty Images

The Picture Show

The last time Britain had a coronation was 70 years ago. Here's what it looked like

Saturday is King Charles III's coronation and the British capital is getting ready. Before Charles is coronated, we look back at the ceremonies and festivities when Queen Elizabeth II's was crowned.

Monday

Outside the funeral, a community united in awe of the queen

Mourners photograph the funeral procession as they gather to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II outside the Palace of Westminster and the houses of Parliament in London on Monday. The final leg of Monday's journey for Queen Elizabeth II, who served as the constitutional monarch of the United Kingdom for 70 years, follows a state funeral at Westminster Abbey and a procession through the city. Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR hide caption

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Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR

World

Outside the funeral, a community united in awe of the queen

The crowd at Westminster Abbey defended their spots along the sidewalk and atop concrete walls with ferocity, but otherwise formed a warm and united impromptu community.

India reacts to Queen Elizabeth II's death with grief, anger — but mainly indifference

Queen Elizabeth II rides on an elephant during one of her three official visits to India. This photo is from February 1961. AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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AFP via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

India reacts to Queen Elizabeth II's death with grief, anger — but mainly indifference

Tributes were paid. But for many of the queen's former colonial subjects, her life and death are a reminder of a painful history of exploitation and racism. Others just didn't give it much thought.

India reacts to Queen Elizabeth II's death with grief, anger — but mainly indifference

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Sunday

Away from the mourning crowds, some Londoners say they hope the monarchy will change

Anjelo Disons poses for a picture after speaking about his views on the recent events surrounding the queen's death and the monarchy at the Peckham Festival in London. Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR hide caption

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Elizabeth Dalziel for NPR

Europe

Away from the mourning crowds, some Londoners say they hope the monarchy will change

In Peckham, about a 30-minute drive from the center of London, many people were going about their weekend as usual. While they're sad about the queen's death, they see it as an opportunity for reform.

2,000 guests are due to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral at Westminster Abbey

Pallbearers from the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, prepare to carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster in London on Wednesday to lie in state following a procession from Buckingham Palace. Elizabeth's funeral is Monday. Ben Stansall/Pool/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Ben Stansall/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

World

2,000 guests are due to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral at Westminster Abbey

World leaders and members of the public, including national health workers, are invited to pay tribute to the United Kingdom's longest-reigning monarch.

Saturday

In the line to see Queen Elizabeth II, mourners make history and friends

This portion of the line ran between the National COVID Memorial Wall and the Thames River, with a view of the Houses of Parliament on the other side. Rachel Treisman/NPR hide caption

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Rachel Treisman/NPR

World

In the line to see Queen Elizabeth II, mourners make history and friends

Thousands of people have been lining up in London to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state. They say the 10+ hour wait is worth it to thank the queen for her service — and can even be pretty fun.

Friday

Mourners are waiting for hours in a 5-mile queue to say farewell to Queen Elizabeth

Members of the public stand in the queue as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II in London on Thursday. Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images

World

Mourners are waiting for hours in a 5-mile queue to say farewell to Queen Elizabeth

Citizens from across the U.K. have traveled to London ahead of Elizabeth's state funeral on Monday to pay their respects in person to Britain's longest-serving monarch.

Thursday

Fastest 'was' in the West: Inside Wikipedia's race to cover the queen's death

After Queen Elizabeth II's death was announced, Wikipedia editors discussed which historical photo to use for her page. Wikipedia hide caption

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Wikipedia

Pop Culture

Fastest 'was' in the West: Inside Wikipedia's race to cover the queen's death

Within seconds of the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death, an army of Wikipedia editors rushed to update her page on the site. It was chaos.

Fastest 'was' in the West: Inside Wikipedia's race to cover the queen's death

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Wednesday

Queen Elizabeth II lies in state after a solemn procession from Buckingham Palace

Grenadier Guards flank the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in London on Wednesday. The Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four full days before her funeral on Monday. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP hide caption

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Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Europe

Queen Elizabeth II lies in state after a solemn procession from Buckingham Palace

Her coffin left Buckingham Palace for the last time Wednesday, borne on a horse-drawn carriage and saluted by cannons and the tolling of Big Ben, in a solemn procession to Westminster Hall.

How the U.K. plans to keep world leaders safe as they arrive for the queen's funeral

The hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, leaves from from St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland. Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images

World

How the U.K. plans to keep world leaders safe as they arrive for the queen's funeral

With world leaders and dignitaries flying in from all over the world, this is how authorities in London are planning to keep everyone safe.

How the U.K. plans to keep world leaders safe as they arrive for the queen's funeral

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Monday

A firm without its Queen (Encore)
WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

A firm without its Queen (Encore)

From the aftermath of World War II to the coronavirus pandemic, Queen Elizabeth has lived through it all. But after her death, what happens to the future of the royal family... and its fortune? Today on the show, we're revisiting our classic episode to ask: Can "The Firm" really survive without its CEO?

A firm without its Queen (Encore)

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Friday

These images show people around the world honoring Queen Elizabeth II

Mourners gather to lay flowers outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images hide caption

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Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images

The Picture Show

These images show people around the world honoring Queen Elizabeth II

There are tributes worldwide to Queen Elizabeth II — from the Empire State Building to the British Embassy in Tokyo — for the United Kingdom's longest-reigning monarch.

As King Charles III takes the crown, here's how he may focus his reign

King Charles III has a history of wading into politics. Above, Charles, then the Prince of Wales, visits Tretower Court on July 5, 2018 in Crickhowell, Wales. Chris Jackson/Getty Images hide caption

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Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Europe

As King Charles III takes the crown, here's how he may focus his reign

Throughout her 70 years as queen, Elizabeth II sought to maintain strict political neutrality. While Charles has been careful not to tread too publicly, he does have a history of wading into politics.