Australia quietly mourns passing of an era with Queen’s death as thoughts turn to a republic

The Sydney Opera House sails lit up with a portrait of Queen Elizebeth II who is being affectionately remembered for her life of service and devotion to duty. Photograph: Muhammad Farooq/AFP/Getty Images

At the schools and the surf clubs, the flags hung at half-mast. On the tallest sail of the Sydney Opera House, an image of a bejewelled Queen Elizabeth II beamed across the harbour.

There were speeches of great solemnity, and quiet ceremonies of memorial, bouquets of flowers left at the gates of government houses around the country.