President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has declared the Maldivian national flag to be flown at half-mast in mourning following the passing away of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch and the Head of the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II, passed away at the age of 96.
Maldives would observe three days of mourning with the national flag flown at half-mast from September 9-12. Queen Elizabeth II is a recipient of the Grand Order of the Distinguished Rule of Ghaazee, the highest honour of the Maldives.
Elizabeth became queen in 1952 and was crowned on June 2, 1953, in a televised ceremony in Westminster Abbey, becoming the first queen in her own right since Queen Victoria and the 40th monarch in a royal line that traces its origin back to William the Conqueror in 1066.
