Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday (Sept. 8) at the age of 96 at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland after a reign of 70 years and 214 days. “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
The news comes after Elizabeth suffered from health issues over the past year.
Elizabeth’s eldest son Charles, 73, automatically becomes king of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. His second wife Camilla becomes Queen Consort.
Throughout his life, Charles, the oldest monarch to take the throne in a lineage that dates back 1,000 years, has been caught between a modernising monarchy, trying to find its place in a fast-changing and more egalitarian society, while maintaining traditions that give the institution its allure.
First in line to the throne is now Charles’ eldest son Prince William.
A statement from His Majesty The King: pic.twitter.com/AnBiyZCher
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
With reporting by Reuters, BBC
