Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch, has passed away at the age of 96. Buckingham Palace has released a statement confirming the Queen’s death after doctors placed her under medical supervision at Balmoral on Thursday.
Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, the palace issued a statement that stated that doctors were concerned about the Queen’s health, after which her family members were seen rushing to Balmoral.
Queen Elizabeth II Dies at 96
The Royal Family has announced the news by releasing a statement, “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.”
The death of the Queen marks the end of an era for Britain, as most people of the country have grown up knowing only one monarch. The queen was seen as a symbol of stability in an ever-changing world, who saw major events in her life, including the country’s imperial past, World War II, post-colonial time and the Britain’s exit from the European Union.
It has been reported that apart from Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan, Prince Edward and Sophie, and Prince Andrew are also either on their way or have reached Balmoral Castle.
The Queen Reigned for 70 Years
Queen Elizabeth became the monarch in 1952 when her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952. She was just 25 years old at the time. At the time, the British empire consisted of over 50 countries, and the Queen became the figurehead of a commonwealth of 2.4 billion people.
Following the Queen’s death, there will be a 10-day commemoration period in Britain before her funeral. The period will be choreographed minutely. The British government’s official website will feature a black banner to commemorate her passing.
The Queen’s mortal remains will possibly be kept in Scotland for sometime, before shifting them to England. Britons and world leaders are now mourning the queen’s death and people have started gathering outside Windsor Castle.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres tweeted, “Queen Elizabeth II was a good friend of the United Nations, and visited our New York Headquarters twice, more than fifty years apart. She was deeply committed to many charitable and environmental causes and spoke movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.”
Prince Charles is the New King
Prince Charles, 73, is now King Charles. The new King was with his mother in Balmoral as she passed on to the other realm. As the King has to deal with the grief of his mother’s passing, he will also have to handle the big transition in his life.
King Charles had been the heir apparent to the throne for the longest time in the history of the British monarchy. He has held the title ever since the age of 3, when his mother became the queen.
A former has been quoted saying, “He never wanted to think about accession because it meant the death of his mother.” The queen’s grandson, Prince William, is now the heir apparent to the throne.
Stay tuned for more news and updates.
