Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, dies at 96

Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled the UK for 70 years, passed away at Balmoral at the age of 96. After worries about her health grew earlier on Thursday, her family gathered at her Scottish estate.

The Queen experienced significant social change after ascending to the throne in 1952. After her passing, her eldest son, Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will take the throne as the new King and ruler of 14 Commonwealth realms, leading the nation in mourning.

Buckingham Palace released a statement: “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 customary UK changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace has been postponed due to Queen Elizabeth II’s reportedly declining health, according to media reports on Thursday. At the palace’s gates, a sign reading “No changing of the guard ceremony today” had been posted, according to the American weekly online news publication Newsweek. 

Prince Charles, the eldest son of the Queen, will now reign as king, with Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, taking on the role of heir to the throne. After his mother, Queen Elizabeth, passed away, Charles ascended to the throne immediately.

Charles was referred to as King when the Royal family announced the passing of Queen Elizabeth. Camila was referred to in the tweet as the Queen Consort. He has been the longest-serving heir to the throne in British history, having been heir apparent since he was three.

Charles has the choice to use any name he wants for his reign as King once he assumes power. For instance, Albert, not George VI, was King George VI’s real name. Charles has previously been used to refer to two monarchs.

King Charles has released a statement regarding the passing of Queen Elizabeth, his mother. He stated, “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.”

Charles will be referred to as King Charles III and is scheduled to deliver a speech tomorrow, according to Clarence House.

Some interesting facts about the Queen:

1) Queen Elizabeth was a trained mechanic

In the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War Two, she gained driving and mechanic skills. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, the heir to the throne, joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a second subaltern in 1945 after months of lobbying for her parents’ approval to contribute to the war effort. She eagerly picked up driving and maintaining heavy vehicles.

2) Two birthdays

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her birthday twice, once privately on April 21 and once publicly on the second Tuesday in June, when the weather is typically warmer and more conducive to outdoor parades.

3) No licence or passport

Unlike other members of the royal family, the Queen did not need a passport when she travelled abroad. King Charles II won’t need a passport when travelling abroad because it will be issued in his name, unlike other members of the royal family who will.

4) No voting

The British monarch is not eligible to vote or run for office. He or she must adhere to strict neutrality in matters of politics as head of state. They participate in the official opening of parliamentary sessions, give their approval to parliamentary legislation, and meet with the prime minister once a week.

5) The first significant event of the television era was her coronation

The first significant event of the television era was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953. The excitement surrounding the celebrations increased when news broke that morning of Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander, conquering Everest. As Britain, the United Nations, and Nepal all contributed to the expedition’s funding, the Union Jack had been placed on top of the globe.