Queen Elizabeth II has died, according to Buckingham Palace, setting off an outpouring of grief in Britain for the 96-year-old monarch, who reigned for 70 years.
She passed away at Balmoral Castle, which was her cherished summer residence in the Highlands of Scotland.
Many of her children, grandkids, and great-grandchildren were already in Balmoral or on their way there, including her son Prince Charles, who is the heir apparent to the throne.
She had four children, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
On Thursday, in Balmoral, the Queen was constantly monitored by medical staff due to their concerns about her health.
The 96-year-old monarch is “comfortable,” according to an unusual statement from Buckingham Palace.
Medical professionals “are worried for Her Majesty’s health and have suggested she remain under medical observation,” according to a statement released this morning.
The heir apparent, Prince Charles, and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were present during the death of the Queen.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex were there, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and York.
On Friday, Prince Charles will be officially declared the next monarch following his father’s passing.
Following the Queen’s death, a funeral service is scheduled to take place on the tenth day.
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth II oversaw the United Kingdom through postwar austerity, the decline of the British Empire, the end of the Cold War, and the United Kingdom’s membership and subsequent exit from the European Union.
Since she assumed the throne in 1952, she has selected 15 prime ministers, the oldest being Winston Churchill in 1874 and the youngest being Liz Truss, who was born 101 years later in 1975.
Throughout her reign, she often met with her prime minister for audiences.
As news of the Queen’s death spread among the London throng gathered outside Buckingham Palace, many began to cry.
On April 21, 1926, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Mayfair, London. Her official date of birth is April 21.
