Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died, announced Buckingham Palace. She died peacefully at her home in Balmoral this afternoon, they said. The Queen turned 96 this year, and celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, which marked 70 years on the throne. The first indication that the Queen's health was seriously failing came earlier today in a statement from Buckingham Palace which read that "The Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision".
She had been Queen since the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952, when she was just 25. With her death, Prince Charles, aged 73, immediately became King Charles III, it has been confirmed.
"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," the new King said. "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."
Born on April 21, 1926, Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch in British history, outlasting that of Queen Victoria, her great-great grandmother, by 7 years.
The Queen tested positive for COVID-19 in February, which she had said left her "very tired and exhausted". It was after she recovered from the virus that unspecified "mobility problems" kept her from attending some events, and she was sometimes seen using a stick during engagements. The mobility issues also led her to cancel some appearances, as well as asking Prince Charles to stand in for her at the opening of the Commons this year.
Last year she lost her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, who died aged 99 in April.
Reign Oversaw 15 Different Prime Ministers
She lived through the Second World War, witnessed decades of enormous social change and, whilst Prime Ministers came and went, her presence was a constant in an ever- changing world.
While many of the powers enjoyed by her predecessors had been removed before she inherited the throne, the Queen, as monarch, remained Head of State, and fulfilled an important constitutional role in the transition of power. On Tuesday, September 7, she invited Liz Truss to form the next British Government. Truss became the Queen's 15th prime minister; her first was Winston Churchill, who was born in 1874.
Queen Elizabeth's influence reached beyond her role as monarch, most notably as head of the Commonwealth. On her numerous trips abroad, lines of people waiting to see and greet her were familiar sights.
Healthy Lifestyle
The history books may tell of monarchs who over indulged, ate too much, drank too much or smoked too much, but Queen Elizabeth II did none of these. She didn't smoke and was reported to eat and drink in moderation.
She kept her body active, walking her beloved corgis and still horse riding even while facing "mobility issues".
Her mind too was still active. She dealt with large amounts of paperwork, read reports on parliamentary proceedings, and was briefed on political and constitutional affairs. Her weekly, confidential meetings with each of her Prime Ministers were valued by many incumbents, and demonstrated that what she lacked in direct power, she retained through influence.
The Queen cut down on foreign trips in recent years, but in the UK she continued to visit charities, attend church services, and host garden parties alongside holding regular audiences with ambassadors, judges, bishops, and politicians.
She also had her large family to keep her busy: Mother of 4, grandmother of 8, and great-grandmother of 12.
Hospital
Unlike most of today's Royal mums and babies, the Queen wasn't born in hospital and neither were her children.
In October 2021, the Queen spent a night in central London's private King Edward VII's Hospital for what Buckingham Palace called "preliminary investigations''. It was the monarch's first overnight hospital stay in 8 years. She also missed the COP26 climate conference having been advised to rest instead.
In 2013, aged 86, she was admitted to the same hospital in London with symptoms of the stomach bug, gastroenteritis. She stayed for one night before returning to Buckingham Palace.
In 2003, the Queen underwent knee surgery.
It is rare to hear about the health of members of the Royal Family. They have access to an extensive medical team who fiercely protect patient confidentiality. A number of GPs are selected to serve in the 'Medical Household', including in London, Windsor, Balmoral, Sandringham, and Edinburgh.
Until this year and a short period in 2006 when she developed a back strain, the Queen enjoyed good health and rarely cancelled any scheduled visits due to illness.
During Christmas and New Year 2015 she did not attend traditional Christmas or New Year's Day church services at Sandringham due to a heavy, lingering cold, but was back handing out honours just days into 2016.
Platinum Jubilee
In February of 2022, the UK began a series of celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth's 70 years on the throne. On June 2, a military parade featuring 1400 troops in bearskin caps, musicians and 240 horses, a Royal Air Force flyover and an 82-gun salute were staged to honour the 96-year-old monarch. One section of London even featured a parade of corgis (Elizabeth's favourite dog breed), with more than 30 of the short-legged canines "marching" in a procession.
The Queen watched the pageantry from the balcony of Buckingham Palace and was joined by four generations of her heirs, including her eldest son, Prince Charles, who now succeeds her as King, his eldest son, Prince William; and William's eldest son, Prince George. Despite her age and having recently recovered from a case of COVID-19 in February, the Queen, dressed in pearls and a light blue dress, coat and hat, wore a broad grin.
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