The UK’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has died at 96, after reigning for 70 years. She died peacefully on Thursday afternoon, September 8th, at her Scottish estate, Balmoral, where she spent much of the summer. The Queen ascended to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change through the years.
Her son King Charles III said the death of his beloved mother was a ‘moment of great sadness’ for him and his family. He said, “We profoundly mourn 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 added that his family would be “comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”
Senior royals had gathered at Balmoral after the Queen’s doctors became concerned about her health earlier in the day. All the Queen’s children traveled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision. Her grandson and now heir to the throne, Prince William, and his brother, Prince Harry, also gathered there.
