Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled the UK for 70 years, passed away at Balmoral at the age of 96. After worries about her health grew early on Thursday, her family gathered at her Scottish estate.
The Queen saw significant social change after ascending to the throne in 1952. After her passing, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, would take the throne as the new King and ruler of 14 Commonwealth states, leading the nation in grief.
Buckingham Palace released the following statement: “The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
The King and the Queen Consort will spend this evening and tomorrow in Balmoral before departing for London. Following the Queen’s placement under medical supervision, all of her children made their way to Balmoral, which is close to Aberdeen.
Prince William, her grandson, is also present, and Prince Harry is en route.
The reign of Queen Elizabeth II as head of state covered the post-World War II period of austerity, the change from an empire to a Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War, and the UK’s membership in – and exit from – the European Union.
The new King to be also sent a message.
A statement from His Majesty The King: pic.twitter.com/AnBiyZCher
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
15 prime ministers served during her reign, and throughout her rule, she met with her prime ministers on a weekly basis.
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Crowds waiting for information on the Queen’s condition at Buckingham Palace in London started wailing when they learned of her passing. The Union flag above the palace was lowered to half-staff.
The Life of Elizabeth II
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born the Queen on April 21, 1926, in Mayfair, London.
Few could have predicted she would become the monarch, but in December 1936, her uncle Edward VIII abdicated the monarchy in order to wed American Wallis Simpson, who had previously been divorced twice.
Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, abdicated in favour of Elizabeth, who was heir to the throne at the age of 10.
She corresponded via letters with her third cousin Philip, Prince of Greece, who was enlisting in the Royal Navy, during the course of the conflict. Their relationship flourished, and on November 20, 1947, the couple wed in Westminster Abbey, with the prince assuming the title of Duke of Edinburgh.
After 74 years of marriage, she would later refer to him as “my strength and stay” before his death in 2021.