Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch who served for 70 years, has died at the age of 96. A look at her life and legacy and who is next in line for the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II rushed to emergency care earlier in the day
Earlier on Thursday, the family of Queen Elizabeth II gathered to be at her side at her Scottish estate of Balmoral, near Aberdeen. Elizabeth was rushed to Balmoral and placed under medical supervision after doctors became concerned over her health, the BBC reported.
“Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” a statement said early Thursday, adding that the Queen was “comfortable.”
Many feared the worst, as it was unusual for Buckingham Palace to put out such a statement regarding medical matters, which are viewed as private.
Queen Elizabeth II died at 96, after serving the UK for 70 years
Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended to the throne in 1952 and served Britain for 70 years, died on Thursday at Balmoral, aged 96, the BBC reported.
“The queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the royal family said in a statement. “The king and the queen consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Elizabeth’s reign as head of state spanned 15 prime ministers who were born 101 years apart, all the way from Winston Churchill (who was born in 1874) through, the most recent, Liz Truss (born in 1975), whom the Queen herself appointed earlier this week.
Who is next for the throne?
Elizabeth is survived by her children, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, and their spouses. She has eight grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, NBC reported.
Prince William, the elder son of Charles, King of the United Kingdom, and Diana, Princess of Wales, is next in line to the throne now that Charles has taken on the title.
The life of Elizabeth “Lilibet” Windsor
Queen Elizabeth II was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926, the BBC reported.
When her father became King George VI, Lilibet, as she was known in the family, became heir to the throne at the age of just ten years old.
Only three years later, as war broke out between Britain and Nazi Germany, Elizabeth and her younger sister, Princess Margaret, spent much of the war years at Windsor Castle. Their parents rejected suggestions to evacuate to Canada.
Upon turning 18, Elizabeth spent five months with the Auxiliary Territorial Service and learned basic motor mechanic and driving skills.
Elizabeth exchanged letters with her third cousin, who was serving in the Royal Navy, Philip, Prince of Greece. The romance grew. They married at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. The Prince then took the title of Duke of Edinburgh. Elizabeth described Philip later as “my strength and stay” with whom she shared 74 years of marriage before his death at age 99 in 2021.
