“On Thursday, the world lost an outstanding leader, whose devotion to the nation, the Realms, and the Commonwealth was total,” William, who will now be known as the Prince of Wales, said in a statement.

“So much will be written in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.”

“But I recently lost my grandmother. And while I shall miss her, I also feel a great sense of gratitude. I am in my fifth decade and have benefited from The Queen’s knowledge and assurance.

She has provided my wife with advice and assistance for twenty years. She has allowed my three children to spend the holidays with her and make lifelong memories.

I knew this day would come, but it will take some time before the reality of living without Grannie will completely feel true. She was by my side during the happiest moments of my life as well as the saddest days of my life.

“I thank her for the consideration she extended to my family and myself, and I thank her on behalf of my generation for setting an example of duty and respect in public life that was rooted in a previous era but was always applicable to all of us,” he concluded.

“My grandma is credited with the classic quote, ‘Grief is the price we pay for love. The sorrow we shall experience over the next few weeks will all be a reflection of the affection we had for our magnificent Queen. In order to honor her memory, I will do everything in my power to help my father, The King.

In his historic address to the nation the day before, King Charles proclaimed their new titles and expressed his pride in giving his eldest son and successor the title.

It indicates that William is following in the footsteps of his father, and Kate is the first person to use the title since Diana, Princess of Wales, who held it during her marriage to Charles.

Charles was made the Prince of Wales by the Queen when he was just nine years old, and he held the title for more than 64 years.

“Our new Prince and Princess of Wales,” Charles said, “will continue to inspire and lead our national dialogues, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where crucial help may be given.”

As my heir, William now takes on the Scottish titles that have meant so much to me, the King declared. He replaces me as Duke of Cornwall and assumes the duties I have held for the Duchy of Cornwall for more than 50 years.

“Today, I am honored to entitle him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the nation whose title I have had the great honor to wear for a significant portion of my life and service.

“I trust that with Catherine at his side, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will continue to inspire and guide our national discourse, assisting in elevating the underrepresented to the foreground where critical assistance may be provided.”

The 96-year-old monarch’s passing away on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral was revealed by Buckingham Palace.

The statement said, “The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will go back to London tomorrow.”

The Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, and the Countess of Wessex were all seen being driven by Prince William earlier on Thursday to the Queen’s official residence in Balmoral.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who attended school for the first time, were with their mother, Kate, 40, in Windsor.

The Queen, who was a mother of four, grandmother of eight, and great-granny of twelve children, is survived by a devoted family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Prince William, the Duke of Sussex, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, and Viscount Severn.

She may be my grandmother, but she’s also very much the boss, Prince William once remarked.