Queen Elizabeth II dies. United Kingdom is in mourning
Queen Elizabeth II, having sat on the throne for 70 years, was the United Kingdom’s longest serving monarch passed away Thursday at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace has announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving British monarch, at the age of 96. Doctors became worried about her health on Wednesday and kept her under close medical supervision after a deterioration in her health.
Family were flown to be by the Queen’s side at her summer residence Balmoral Castle in Scotland where she was staying. She follows her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away last April.
She will now be succeeded by her son Charles, the Prince of Wales, who was only three years old when his mother became Queen.
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The world mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II
A outpouring of sympathy has come from around the world from dignitaries and the public.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.” Emmanuel Macron posted on Twitter.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Over more than 70 years, she exemplified selfless leadership and public service,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrote. “My deepest condolences to the Royal Family, to our NATO Allies the United Kingdom and Canada, and to the people of the Commonwealth.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensk posted “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the 🇺🇦 people, we extend sincere condolences to the RoyalFamily, the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
“Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II personified duty: to her family, to her country, and to the world. From an unimaginably young age, she united the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, holding together societies that faced immense and rapid changes,” wrote Mike Bloomberg.
The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The world has changed much since Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born 21 April 1926 in Mayfair, London. Great Britain still reigned over an empire that stretch around the globe.
Her father, the then Duke of York, ascended to the throne in 1936 to become King George VI when his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne. The British Empire was changing by that time with the Statute of Westminster giving Dominions constitutional autonomy in 1931. India gained its independence in 1947.
As the first child of King George VI, Elizabeth was the heir presumptive. She became queen regent 6 February 1952 with the passing of her father and was coronated in 1953 at Westminster Abbey.