Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96 after historic 70-year reign

9/8/2022

Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96 after historic 70-year reign, plunging Britain and a world that loved her into mourning for an unparalleled lifetime of ‘service, duty and devotion.’

The death of Queen Elizabeth II is announced at the age of 96, ending the longest reign of any British monarch. Doctors became concerned about her health today – with her children and grandchildren racing to Balmoral

World joins Britain in mourning, and celebrating, devoted sovereign who ruled the country for 70 years

Queen’s son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, becomes King and is expected to address the nation shortly. Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary became Queen on Feb 6 1952 aged just 25, when her father George VI died

Her reign spanned 15 British Prime Ministers from Sir Winston Churchill to Liz Truss and 14 US Presidents. And on September 9, 2015, she became longest-reigning British monarch, surpassing Queen Victoria’s record

Her son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, is now King. He will address the shocked nation imminently, as the world grieves Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

All her children had rushed to Balmoral after doctors became ‘concerned’ for her health. Hours later she died, surrounded by her family.

At 6.30pm her death was confirmed. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘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’.

The Queen’s death will see Britain and her Commonwealth realms enter into a ten-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad come to terms with her passing.

And as her son accedes to the throne, there will also be a celebration of her historic 70-year reign that saw her reach her Platinum Jubilee this year – a landmark unlikely to be reached again by a British monarch.

Tributes are already pouring in for Her Majesty, to many the greatest Briton in history and undoubtedly the most famous woman on earth. To billions around the world she was the very face of Britishness.

To her subjects at home, Her Majesty was the nation’s anchor, holding firm no matter what storm she or her country was facing – from the uncertain aftermath of the Second World War to, more recently, the pandemic.

She was also steadfast as she dealt with tragedies and scandals in her own family, most recently the fallout from Megxit and the death of her beloved husband Prince Philip.

Note: 70 years and 127 days

The head of the British royal family, Queen Elizabeth II, just became the second-longest reigning monarch in world history. Taking the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, the queen has ruled the realm for 70 years and 127 days.