Queen Elizabeth II of England has been the country’s longest reigning monarch, the face of the nation, and the country’s figurehead for over seven decades. Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that the Queen passed away peacefully in her sleep, at her Scotland home, Balmoral Palace, on Thursday afternoon.
The Queen has withdrawn herself from most activities due to her mobility problems, as stated by the palace, for over a year now. The last public activity that she was seen at was the jubilee celebrations that were celebrated in her honor a couple of months ago. With the Queen’s passing, her eldest son, Prince Charles, will automatically become The King of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
The Queen is expected to stay in Balmoral for now and is expected to return to Buckingham Palace on Friday. Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952, after the death of her father, the then King, King George VI, on Feb 6th, at just 25, although she was crowned the following year. Queen Elizabeth is not only the longest reigning monarch of Britain but its oldest reigning monarch too. May the Queen’s soul rest in peace.