Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday at her residence at Balmoral Castle. She was 96 years old.
The announcement of her death was made by Buckingham Palace after officials said doctors were concerned about her health. Officials did not say what caused her death.
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
Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth died peacefully during the afternoon.
King Charles III issued a statement after the announcement.
"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.
"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.
"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."
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Family members rushed to Balmoral Castle to be with her as they learned about her ailing condition.
One of her last official acts as queen came on Tuesday when she accepted the resignation of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and welcomed new Prime Minister Liz Truss. The meetings, however, did not take place at Buckingham Palace, as per custom, leading to speculation about her health.
She then canceled a meeting Wednesday night after she was advised to take a day of rest.
Elizabeth was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, serving over 70 years, surpassing Queen Victoria in 2015. She was also the longest-reigning female monarch in world history.
With her death, Elizabeth’s eldest son, King Charles, becomes the British monarch.
Elizabeth ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, after her father, King George VI, died. She was coronated a year later.
Her first state visit did not come until 1957, when she visited the United States to address the United Nations General Assembly. In 1991, she became the first British monarch to address a joint session of Congress.
During her tenure, more than a dozen nations left the Commonwealth, opting for self-governing models.
The Queen has withstood controversy and remained a popular figure in the U.K. A May 2022 poll found that 86% of British adults were satisfied with her work as queen.
She celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in May, marking 70 years on the throne. The event was widely celebrated in Britain, and celebrations were held in many Commonwealth nations.
