Britain’s longest reigning monarch, Queen II. Elizabeth died in Balmoral at the age of 96, after 70 years of judgment.
His family gathered at the Scottish estate earlier Thursday amid concerns about his health. Upon his death, his eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will rule the country in mourning as the new King and state leader of the 14 Commonwealth kingdoms.
His Majesty the King said in a statement, “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of greatest sorrow for me and all members of my family. We deeply mourn the passing of a revered monarch and a much-loved mother. Her loss across the country, in the Kingdoms and Commonwealth and all over the world, I know it will be deeply felt by countless people from around the world.”
“The Queen died peacefully in Balmoral this afternoon. The King and Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral tonight and return to London tomorrow,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
The Queen became the first monarch to celebrate her 70th year on the throne this year. Coming to the throne in 1952, II. Elizabeth became Britain’s longest reigning monarch and the longest reigning queen in history.
Elizabeth, King VI. She was born in London as the eldest daughter of George. She married Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, and they had four children, Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward.
