Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
An official statement from Buckingham Palace stated that the Queen died peacefully in Balmoral on Wednesday afternoon (UK Time).
Elizabeth II was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21 April 1926.
The Queen came to the throne 6 February 1952 and at the time of her death on the afternoon of 8 September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II had reigned over the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms for 70 years and 214 days.
With the Queen’s death, her eldest son and former Prince of Wales, Charles, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and Head of State of the Commonwealth. His wife Camilla will be Queen Consort.
King Charles said: “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 the coming period, King Charles said he and his family would be “comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held”.
All the Queen’s children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed her under medical supervision.
The palace statement confirms the Queen’s grandson and now heir to the throne, Prince William, is also in Balmoral, with his brother, Prince Harry, on his way.
