Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at the Scottish residence of Balmoral Castle on Thursday afternoon (September 8), Buckingham Palace has announcerd.
At 96, Queen Elizabeth was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Her son Prince Charles, 73, who has been heir to the throne since the age of three, becomes King. His wife Camilla Parker Bowles is now Queen Consort. Prince William is the new heir to the throne at the age of 40.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” reads a statement from Buckingham Palace. “The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
The Queen has been under medical supervision at Balmoral Castle. Earlier on Thursday morning, Buckingham Palace has stated “The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.” British media reported that the Queen’s children and grandsons, William nd Harry, had rushed to Scotland to be at her bedside.
On Thursday afternoon, the Royal Family released a statement on behalf of King Charles, whose regnal name will be King Charles III.
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” King Charles III writes. “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.”
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth and by countless people around the world,” the statement continues. “During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”
Upon the death of her father King George VI in 1952, Elizabeth — then 25 years old — became queen of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth.
Current and former world leaders have posted tributes to the Queen:
It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 8, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and all the people Her Majesty inspired throughout her lifetime of service. pic.twitter.com/r5pjncyCu8
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 8, 2022
"Queen Elizabeth ably led England through dark moments with her confidence in her people and her vision for a brighter tomorrow. Our world benefitted from her steady resolve, and we are grateful for her decades of service as sovereign." – President Bush https://t.co/aG8uVcMaJo pic.twitter.com/FKQnq6ANoh
— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) September 8, 2022
