Queen Elizabeth II Dead at Age 96
Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms, Elizabeth II has passed away at age 96.
In the early hours, the royal family had gathered at Balmoral Castle amidst health concerns for the Queen, then it was announced that she died. As news spread, people are gathering around Buckingham Palace. Getty Images took pictures of the gathering outside and there is a big beautiful rainbow behind the castle.
What we know:
Queen Elizabeth had been struggling with her health this past year. Because of health concerns she even took a step back from events and public appearances, troubles with mobility etc.
She rallied for her appearances on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee and only this week carried out her audience with the new prime minister.
Beyond many references to her mobility problems, Buckingham Palace officials have given little detail about changes in the Queen’s health, seeing it as a private matter.
Who is her successor?:
Amid the health issues, duties were often delegated to Prince Charles. It was the Queen’s wish to have Charles continue the legacy. In a statement she made back in 2018 she said, “It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations, and will decide that one day the Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949.” Then he was unanimously voted to be the next head. As of now, he has inherited the sovereign title and job as head of the Commonwealth, along with other assets such as land and property.
Charles, 73, has waited decades to become king and is the longest-serving heir in British history. He is the eldest of four children born to the queen and her late husband, Prince Philip. Some of his work includes campaigning for a better environment and championing global sustainability in speeches over the years. Expanding education and opportunities for young people in the United Kingdom is also included.
The next heir to the throne after is Charles’s elder son, William, 40, known as the Duke of Cambridge.
Royal Legacy:
Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York. Her father acceded to the throne in 1936 at which time her father became King George VI and she became heir presumptive.
As a princess, education was supervised by her mother, learning many subjects including history, and had visiting teachers in music and languages. During World War II she and her sister, Princess Margaret Rose, perforce spent much of their time safely away from the London blitz and separated from their parents. During this time they lived at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, at the Royal Lodge, and Windsor Castle.
Early in 1947 Princess Elizabeth was married her distant cousin and former Prince of Greece and Denmark, Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten of the Royal Navy.
In 1952 her father passed and she was deemed Queen. An official coronation was held at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. The Queen spent 7 decades as head of state.