Queen Elizabeth II, the world’s most famous queen and the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom died at the age of 96, Thursday, at her Scottish Palace in Balmoral, opening the door to a new stage in the history of the royal throne, surrounded by many questions.
Her son Charles III, who immediately became Britain’s new king, said his mother’s death was a moment of “great sadness for me and all of my family”.
Buckingham Palace said the king and his wife, Camilla, who will now be known as the Queen Consort, will return to London on Friday when he is expected to address the nation on Friday.
News of the Queen’s deteriorating health emerged shortly after midday on Thursday when her doctors said she was under medical supervision, prompting her family to quickly move to Scotland to be next to her.
The Queen was head of state in the United Kingdom and 14 other countries, including Australia, Canada, and Jamaica.
Prime Minister Liz Truss, appointed by the Queen on Tuesday, called it “the rock on which modern Britain is built”.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street, central London. The young princess had never expected to ascend to the throne. After her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne in 1936 because of his love for American divorcee Wallis Simpson, the crown passed to her father, George VI, when she was ten years old.
She was only 25 years old when her father died and she became Queen Elizabeth II on February 6, 1952 while on tour in Kenya with her husband Prince Philip. Winston Churchill was the first prime minister out of 15 prime ministers to hold office during her tenure.
The Queen celebrated her birthday twice a year. On April 21, her birthday, and in June, her official birthday is celebrated that month due to the weather being more favorable for a military and air parade in London.
Strong sense of responsibility
Queen Elizabeth II led Britain in very difficult times, such as after the (World) war, with austerity measures; the transition from the Empire to the Federation of the Commonwealth; the end of the Cold War; The United Kingdom’s accession to and then the exit from the European Union.
Queen Elizabeth was on the throne during most of the Cold War after the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. During her tenure, 14 presidents have ruled the United States, from Harry Truman to Joe Biden.
She reigned over 15 British Prime Ministers, the first of whom was Winston Churchill, born in 1874, and the latest being Liz Truss, born 101 years later, and who was appointed by the Queen earlier this week.
The Queen’s long reign was marked by her strong sense of duty and determination to devote her life to her throne and her people.
Her success in maintaining the monarchy during these turbulent times was even more remarkable given that at the time of her birth, no one expected that the throne would be her destiny.
After Queen Elizabeth’s death, Charles automatically became king of the United Kingdom and at the head of 14 other countries, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. He is expected to visit all UK countries in the coming days.
Prince William and his wife Catherine become the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
