Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after reigning for 70 years. She was 96.
Queen’s passing away brings to an end the longest reign in the history of the United Kingdom, and one of the longest reigns by any head of state.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
The UK now has a new monarch in 73-year-old Charles, the former Prince of Wales. The new King will officially be known as King Charles III, it has been officially confirmed. He is the oldest and longest-serving heir-apparent in British history. He will be the oldest person to become King in British history.
Newly-appointed British Prime Minister Liz Truss said “we are all devastated” at the news of the Queen’s death, which is a “huge shock to the nation and the world.”
The monarch has been suffering from age-related mobility issues and had cut down her travels, including appointing new Prime Minister Truss in Scotland earlier this week.
Elizabeth II became Queen on the death of her father King George VI on 6 February 1952. She held her coronation at Westminster Abbey the following year.
Her reign of 70 years was seven years longer than that of Queen Victoria.
