By Reporter
The British Royal Family has announced the death of Queen of England, today, September 8 at Balmoral, the royal family estate in Scotland.
The queen took the throne in 1953 at the age of 27. She was the second-longest serving sovereign in world history, and spent her life in the public eye.
For many in the U.K. and beyond, she served as a symbol of stability through the changes of the 20th and 21st centuries. Prince Charles, her eldest son and heir to the throne, immediately became king upon her death.
Reports of the queen’s health emerged on Wednesday, when she postponed a virtual meeting with Privy Council advisors on doctors’ advice to rest.
On Thursday at 7:30 a.m. ET, the palace issued a statement that the queen’s doctors were “concerned” for her health, recommending she remain under medical supervision at Balmoral, the family estate in Scotland. Queen Elizabeth II turned 96 this past April.
In June, the nation celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. She was the last woman in the line of succession for the coming generations.
After Charles, next in line is Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Charles’ son with Princess Diana. Following is Prince George, Prince William’s son with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
The monarch’s husband, Prince Philip, died at age 99 in 2021. They were married for over 73 years.
Prince Charles the queen’s eldest son, becomes King Charles III of England at age 73, and per Queen Elizabeth II’s wishes, Camilla, Duchess of Cambridge, will now be known as “queen consort.” In a message marking her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, the queen said: “When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”