Queen Elizabeth II has died
Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom’s longest-reigning monarch, died at the age of 96 at Balmoral, after reigning for 70 years.
Her family gathered at her Scottish estate after health concerns arose earlier in the day.
Since her accession to the throne in 1952, the Queen has witnessed enormous social change.
Her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms following her death.
His Majesty the King said in a statement, “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of great sadness for me and all members of my family.”
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Mayfair, London, on April 21, 1926.
Few could have predicted she would become monarch, but in December 1936, her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American.
