KING PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 95
Lotrič, Midrasia - The King of Midrasia, Luix XII was pronounced dead today at 02:34. The King was believed to have died of a heart attack following the news of his grandson's death only days earlier. Whilst the King had been entered into Lulit Hospital several days earlier, the royal household had given assurances that his majesty was not in a serious condition.
The King was believed to have heard the news of his grandson, and heir's, death only several hours after it was confirmed in Almira. It has been speculated that the King, in a state of shock went into cardiac arrest after hearing the news, during which he was transferred to hospital. Several hours later the King was pronounced dead. Whilst many suspected that it would not be long before the Midrasian monarch passed away of old age, nobody suspected that it would be under such awful familial circumstances.
Luix XII had ruled Midrasia since his accession in 1957 at age 35 following the death of his father Henri VII. Luix came to the throne at a difficult time, overseeing the latter half of the National Coalition government and then presiding over the dismantling of the Midrasian colonial empire. At 95 Luix was the oldest and longest reigning Midrasian monarch. Luix's first son and heir, François passed away in 1997, a situation which was believed to have left to monarch a changed man.
Renowned for his international humanitarian work and patronage of a number of initiatives and charities ranging from issues of child poverty, illegal poaching and environmentalism, the monarch was always at the forefront of international humanitarian efforts. Preparations will now begin for he joint funeral of the monarch and his grandson. Midrasia will enter a state of national mourning for a period of two weeks, during which time no comedy programs will be aired on the Midrasian Broadcasting Service.
Luix will be succeeded by his granddaughter Aliénor. It is believed that campaigning for the general election will be suspended for the following weeks. In light of this officials have stated that they will reschedule Election Day to take account of these events