Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch, passes away at 96; Charles becomes King

Queen Elizabeth the Second, the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom has passed away "peacefully" at the age of 96. The Queen had been in bad health and had heavily cut down on public appearances. She was at her Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The Queen’s reign started on 6 February 1952 and ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history.

 

 

"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 Royal Family said in a statement.

 

 

On Wednesday (September 7) The Queen pulled out of a planned meeting with her senior political advisors due to her health difficulties that had left her unable to stand and walk freely. Earlier, on September 8 morning, the Royal family informed that "the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision."

 

The eldest of her four children, Charles, Prince of Wales, who at 73 is the oldest heir apparent in British history, becomes king immediately. In a statement issued after the death, King Charles said, “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.”

 

 

He further added, “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.”

The Queen was born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York - who later became King George VI - and Queen Elizabeth. Later, Elizabeth married The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. The early years of their marriage saw them living a relatively normal life as a naval officer and wife. Prince Charles, now The Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the throne, was the firstborn child of the couple, born in 1948.

On 6 February 1952, King George VI died following a prolonged illness. Princess Elizabeth immediately acceded to the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II. Her Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. On 9th September 2015, the Queen became Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip, died last year at the age of 99.