DHAKA, Sept 9, 2022 (BSS) - Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch 
in British history and an icon instantly recognisable to billions of people 
around the world, died on Thursday at the age of 96.

Buckingham Palace announced her death in a short statement, triggering 10 
days of national mourning and an outpouring of tributes to her long life and 
record-breaking reign.

Leaders from every corner of the globe briefly united Thursday in homage to 
Queen Elizabeth II, after the world's longest-serving monarch died at her 
Scottish home at age 96.

Tributes poured in -- from countries she had ruled over to those she had been 
at war with, from tiny territories to the mightiest governments on the 
planet, and from centuries-old institutions to nations that had not yet been 
born when she took the throne.

Bangladesh has declared three days of state mourning in honour of Queen 
Elizabeth II following her death.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock 
and sorrow at the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

In a condolence letter wrote to her United Kingdom counterpart Elizabeth 
Truss, MP, on September 8, Sheikh Hasina said "I, on behalf of the Government 
and the people of Bangladesh, and on my behalf, convey to you the most 
profound shock and grief, and through you, our heartfelt condolences and 
sympathies to the people of the United Kingdom at the sudden passing away of 
The Queen Elizabeth The Second."

She wrote: "The memoirs between Her Majesty and our Father of the Nation 
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the UK and two Commonwealth Heads of 
Government Meetings in Ottawa and Kingston will remain everlasting."

In the letter, she also greatly admired her last personal interactions with 
Queen Elizabeth II during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 
(CHOGM) in 2018 in London.

Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the Queen's most passionate message of 
felicitation extended to the people of Bangladesh on the Golden Jubilee of 
its independence where she wrote "We share ties of friendship and affection, 
which remain the foundation of our partnership and are as important today as 
fifty years ago."

"It shall be carried forward heart to heart over and over again while 
nourishing the relations between the two Commonwealth Nations," she added.

The Prime Minister said "With her saddest demise, the people of Bangladesh 
and I, personally, have not only lost a most trusted friend but also a true 
guardian."

After the independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur 
Rahman met Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip at the Commonwealth Head of Government Conference at Ottawa, Canada (August 1973).

During the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings with British Queen Elizabeth 
II at Buckingham Palace on April 19, 2018.

The premier also exchanged greetings with Prince Charles at the same place. 

Later, the prime minister along with other heads of government and leaders of 
the Commonwealth countries joined a dinner hosted by the Queen. 

Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana joined the platinum jubilee 
celebrations for the Queen Elizabeth II's reign. It was held between June 2 
and 5 this year.    

Queen Elizabeth II along with her husband also visited Bangladesh on November 
14, 1983. Prior to that, in 1961, she came to Dhaka, which was then the 
capital of East Pakistan.

In memory of Queen Elizabeth II, Bangladesh's national flag will be kept at 
half-mast at all government, semi government, autonomous organizations, non 
government buildings, educational Institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad 
from September 9 to September 11 to observe the three-day state mourning.

Special prayer will also be arranged during this time for seeking salvation 
of the departed soul of the British longest serving monarch.