Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Queen Elizabeth II may no longer be with us, but we could still hear new words of wisdom from her in the future.
This is because the late monarch, who died on Thursday (8 September), left a secret letter to the citizens of Sydney that cannot be opened until 2085.
The Queen passed away “peacefully” in Balmoral Castle at the age of 96, after 70 years on the throne.
As head of state of Australia, she wrote a letter that has been hidden in a time capsule in a building dedicated to her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria.
To celebrate the restoration of the Queen Victoria Building in 1986, the late monarch addressed the mysterious letter to the Lord Mayor of Sydney.
According to News.com.au, instructions on the letter read: “On a suitable day to be selected by you in the year 2085AD, would you please open this envelope and convey to the citizens of Sydney my message to them.”
The letter, signed simply “Elizabeth”, has been kept in a glass case in a restricted part of the building since the Queen penned it.
Reports say that not even the Queen’s personal staff knows the contents of the letter.
The Queen Victoria Building was first built in 1898 to celebrate her diamond jubilee. It was nearly demolished in the 1950s to be make way for a car park, but a bid to restore the building won out.
Now that the Queen has passed, King Charles III is Britain’s new monarch and the head of state of 15 Commonwealth realms, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and some Caribbean nations.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese declared that the country will get a bank holiday on Thursday 22 September to mourn the death of the Queen.
It will officially be called the National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty the Queen and will take place after her funeral, which falls on Monday 19 September.
This is because Albanese and governor-general David Hurley will be in the UK to attend the funeral and will return home on Wednesday 21 September.
Follow the latest updates following the death of Queen Elizabeth II here
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments