Queen Elizabeth II has passed away, aged 96.
Buckingham Palace has released a statement with the news, after senior Royals and other family members gathered by her bedside at Balmoral today.
The statement reads: “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 postponed a Privy council meeting due to medical issues just this week following Liz Truss’s appointment as the UK’s new Conservative Prime Minister.
Queen Elizabeth II was also placed under medical observation at Balmoral on Thursday 8th September, after making various changes to her usual routine this year including a scaled-down, private welcome back in August at Balmoral Castle, and not appearing at various events to prioritise her health and comfort.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning British monarch, and was the Queen of not only Great Britain, but 14 other sovereign countries, too. Queen Elizabeth II remains the second-longest reigning monarch of all time, just two years behind France’s Louis XIV.
Prince Charles succeeds the throne from his Mother, while Camilla takes on the role of Queen Consort.
His Majesty the King has released a statement of his own, before addressing the nation tomorrow, saying: “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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