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The Latest: Canadians offer condolences to Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving British monarch and Canadian head of state, died Thursday at age 96. Here's the latest on the aftermath of her death. All times eastern: 10:50 p.m.

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving British monarch and Canadian head of state, died Thursday at age 96. Here's the latest on the aftermath of her death. All times eastern:

10:50 p.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spent several minutes writing a note in a book of condolences for the Queen at Rideau Hall, after returning to Ottawa from a three-day cabinet retreat in Vancouver.

Trudeau, who sat to sign the book that was placed on a table draped with a black cloth, appeared to copy his note from a separate piece of paper.

Behind him was a photo of the Queen with a black ribbon placed on it.

Trudeau wrote that "Canada came of age during Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s time as Sovereign."

He also wrote that "generations of us have benefitted, profoundly, from her steady, graceful leadership and service."

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7:06 p.m.

A ceremony to proclaim the accession of King Charles III as Canada's new head of state has been scheduled to take place Saturday morning at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of the federal cabinet and Privy Council are also expected to meet as part of the protocol needed to formally proclaim the new sovereign.

Trudeau is signing the book of condolences for the Queen this evening, after returning to Ottawa from a three-day cabinet retreat in Vancouver.

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2:42 p.m.

The Federal Court of Canada says the designation for the Crown in legal proceedings is now "His Majesty the King," rather than "Her Majesty the Queen."

A notice issued by Chief Justice Paul Crampton says the designation applies to pending matters without the need to bring a motion to amend the style of cause.

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1:20 p.m.

King Charles III ended his first public remarks as British monarch by thanking the public for the condolences he and his family have received in the wake of his mother the Queen’s death.

He addressed his “darling mama” and thanked her for her love and devotion to his family and the family of nations she has served over her lifetime.

As the pre-recorded speech ended, choral music in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London began to swell, and a prayer and memorial service got underway.

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1:10 p.m.

King Charles III says British values have remained constant" despite challenges and changes over the late Queen's 70-year reign.

He says the nation and its "wider realms" prospered during his mother's time on the throne. 

The new monarch says he was brought up to “cherish a sense of duty.”

He says he will try to rule with "loyalty, respect and love" and is pledging to uphold the United Kingdom’s constitutional principles.

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1:05 p.m.

King Charles III says he has feelings of profound sorrow as he remembers his mother the Queen, calling her an “inspiration and an example to me and all my family.” 

In his first address to the public since the Queen's death, the new King said his family owes her "the most heartfelt debt" for the  

“We owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their mother for her love, affection, guidance and example.

The King says the Queen’s pledge to live a life of public service was not just a promise but a profound personal commitment that defined her whole life.

The speech, broadcast on the BBC and in front of mourners in London, was pre-recorded earlier today at Buckingham Palace.

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12:56 p.m. ET

King Charles III is about to make his first address to the nation since the Queen’s death, a speech pre-recorded at Buckingham Palace earlier today.

Outside the palace, the wall of flowers by the gate is four feet high in places.

People gathered there are wearing everything from three-piece suits and top hats to head-to-toe union jacks.

At St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, a prayer service in honour of the Queen is also moments away from beginning, attended by new British Prime Minister Liz Truss and members of the public.

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11:30 a.m. ET

A large painting of the Queen that was once a fixture during hockey games and concerts in Winnipeg may soon be on public display again. 

Ron D'Errico owns the painting and says he plans on displaying it in a hangar at the security firm he owns, and it may be displayed temporarily in a shopping centre in the meantime.  

The five-by-three-metre painting takes a crew of 10 people to assemble and install. 

It hung for years in the old Winnipeg Arena, which closed in 2004. 

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11:10 a.m. ET

A book of condolences for the Queen has been set up in Ontario's legislative building.

Premier Doug Ford and Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell are set to sign the book today.

Both have expressed condolences to King Charles III and the Royal Family.

The public is also invited to sign the book that's set up in the main lobby of the Toronto building.

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7:20 a.m. ET

Veteran Canadian journalist Lisa LaFlamme will be in London to cover the Queen's death for CityNews.

Rogers Sports and Media says the former CTV national news anchor will lead the CityNews' coverage as a special correspondent.

LaFlamme says she is honoured to help tell the story of the Queen's life and legacy.

The news comes after LaFlamme's abrupt exit from CTV last month prompted surprise and criticism of Bell Media's decision to end her contract after 35 years.

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7:15 a.m. ET

The Senate of Canada Building and the Peace Tower in Ottawa will be lit up in royal blue over the coming days as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

A royal cypher will also be projected on the Peace Tower.

The illumination began last night and the Senate of Canada says it will continue from dusk until midnight during the official mourning period for the Queen. 

In Toronto, the CN Tower went dark last night in the Queen's memory. 

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5:00 a.m. ET

The British Royal Family is sharing more guidance on the official mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II.

A Friday statement says the mourning period will be observed until seven days after the Queen's funeral, for which an official date has not been set.

Royal salutes are set to be fired in London this afternoon, with one round to be fired for each of the Queen's 96 years of life. 

The statement says royal residences will be closed until after the funeral, but floral tributes can be left by the gates in the meantime.

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4:00 a.m. ET

Canadians mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II can pay tribute to her in a book of condolences at Rideau Hall starting today. 

Gov. General Mary Simon signed the book of condolences Thursday evening ahead of it being made available to the public. Simon, who delivered part of her tribute in her first language, Inuktitut, said people would be sharing words of remembrance about the Queen in "countless languages around the world."

An official book of condolences was also opened online Thursday. 

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2022.

The Canadian Press