Prague's Petřín tower to shine in the colors of the British flag until Saturday

Prague, Sept 8 (ČTK) - The Petřín Lookout Tower in Prague lit up in the British national colors tonight in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday, Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib said on Twitter.

Prague City Hall spokesman Vít Hofman told ČTK that a condolence book or place for laying flowers is being considered. He said City Hall will proceed according to the protocol and also in cooperation with the Czech government.

Elizabeth II died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland Thursday.

The Queen visited Prague in March 1996, marking the first official trip of a British monarch to the Czech lands. Then-president Václav Havel invited Elizabeth II to the Czech Republic. The Queen also paid a visit to Brno.

 Hřib noted that Queen Elizabeth visited each city only once.

Following news of the Queen’s death, the British Embassy in Prague flew the flag at half-staff and shared the official statement of Buckingham Palace, the embassy spokeswoman Eva Bouchalová told ČTK.

Bouchalová said several candles have already appeared in front of the embassy building in Malá Strana. She said the embassy will not make any further comments on the Queen’s death now.

After her arrival in Prague on March 27, 1996, Elizabeth II awarded the Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, one of the highest British decorations, to Havel. Havel decorated the then 70-year-old Queen with the Order of the White Lion First Class with the collar chain of the Order, which is awarded only to heads of state.

On the following day, Elizabeth II met then-prime minister Václav Klaus and Chamber of Deputies chairman Milan Uhde; in Brno, she was welcomed by crowds of excited admirers.

On the last day of her visit, the Queen was received at Prague Castle, the Czech branch of the British Council, and met members of the British community in Prague in the Bethlehem Chapel. She also met widows of Czech pilots who flew for the Royal Air Force in England during World War II.

Monika Brusenbauch Meislová, an expert on the UK from Masaryk University in Brno, told ČTK in reaction to Queen Elizabeth’s passing that she was a symbol of stability. Although the world changed dramatically during her rule, she remained a certainty and constant.

Elizabeth II ruled Britain from 1952. Meislová said the Queen was loved, honored, and respected.

"People admired her for her wisdom, nobleness, and rich experience. Though her death may have been anticipated for a rather long time as she was the longest reigning monarch in British history, it's a hard blow for the whole country," Meislová said.

When the Queen died, the throne was immediately transferred to her eldest son Charles without any ceremonies, she said. Charles will lead the country in grief as the new king. To be crowned as king, a number of practical steps, technicalities, and ceremonies must be followed, she said.