Britain’s Queen Elizabeth dies at 96

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the nation’s figurehead for seven decades, has died at 96.

According to a statement from Buckingham Palace on Thursday September 8, 2022, 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 statement reads.

Elizabeth’s eldest son Charles, 73, automatically becomes king of the United Kingdom.

Queen Elizabeth II, who was also the world’s oldest and longest-serving head of state, came to the throne following the death of her father King George VI on Feb. 6, 1952, when she was just 25.

She was crowned in June the following year.

“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust,” she said in a speech to her subjects on her coronation day.

Elizabeth became monarch at a time when Britain still retained much of its old empire.