Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning queen and the nation’s leader for seven decades, passed away on Thursday at the age of 96, according to Buckingham Palace.
The Queen passed away quietly at Balmoral this afternoon, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. “The King and Queen Consort will spend the night at Balmoral and return to London tomorrow.”Â
Her eldest son Charles, 73, automatically succeeds to the thrones of the United Kingdom and 14 other nations, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
After doctors voiced concern for her health, her family flew to Balmoral Castle, her Scottish residence, to be by her side. Since the end of last year, she had been experiencing what Buckingham Palace termed “episodic mobility issues,” forcing her to cancel nearly all of her public appearances.
Queen Elizabeth II, the world’s oldest and longest-reigning monarch, ascended the throne on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.
The following year in June, she was crowned queen. The first broadcast coronation was a precursor to a new world in which the media would increasingly scrutinize the lives of the royals.
Television and radio stations paused regular programming to deliver the news, with special schedules in place to commemorate her long life and rule.
“God Save the Queen,” the national song, was played. Flags were lowered and church bells tolled to honor a woman dubbed the “last global monarch.”
The national period of mourning will conclude with a final public farewell at Westminster Abbey in central London.
Charles’ coronation, an elaborate ritual steeped in tradition and history, will take place on a date to be determined in the same historic surroundings as it has for generations.
Official Mourning
Television and radio stations paused regular programming to deliver the news, with special schedules in place to commemorate her long life and rule.
“God Save the Queen,” the national song, was played. Flags were lowered and church bells tolled to honor a woman dubbed the “last global monarch.”
The national period of mourning will conclude with a final public farewell at Westminster Abbey in central London.
Charles’ coronation, an elaborate ritual steeped in tradition and history, will take place on a date to be determined in the same historic surroundings as it has for generations.
