Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-lasting monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth states. She died at Balmoral Castle today, the 8th of September 2022.
Earlier on Thursday, senior royals gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health. Later in the afternoon, the Queen’s demise was announced in a statement by Buckingham Palace – “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon”.
A look back at her life
Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on the 21st of April 1926 in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of the duke and duchess of York. Her father came to be the king in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward viii. She ascended the throne in 1952 and did well through her years as British Monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tenure cut across the post-war austerity, the evolution from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War, and the Entry of the United Kingdom in and out of the European Union. 15 prime ministers existed throughout her reign, starting from Winston Churchill. She had weekly meetings with her prime minister throughout her tenure. She was indeed more than just a monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II had four children with her late husband, Prince Phillip; the new King Charles III, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward.
Due to her death, her eldest son, Charles Philip Arthur George, the former Prince of Wales will lead the country as the new King and head of state for the 14 Commonwealth realms. He will be known as King Charles III and is aged 73. He is the oldest monarch to ascend the British throne.
