Queen Elizabeth II has died after spending more than 70 years on the throne.
News of the queen’s passing has been announced today (8 September) following the milestone celebration of her Platinum Jubilee in February 2022.
Both before and after the event, the queen sparked concerns of ill health by cancelling various appearances and duties, including scrapping the traditional welcome to Balmoral Castle in August and choosing to remain in Balmoral to receive the new prime minister, Liz Truss, in September.
Continuing her reign well into her 90s, Queen Elizabeth II was the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee following her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952.
Over the years, the queen travelled more widely than any other monarch, made appearances at schools, charitable events and awards ceremonies, and acted as a figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth.
She has links either as Royal Patron or President with more than 600 charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations, encompassing causes including opportunities for young people, and the preservation of wildlife and the environment.
Alongside all of her duties and achievements, the Queen has also spent her time in power helping to grow the Royal Family.
Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Philip in 1947, and together they went on to welcome King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
The couple’s grandchildren include Prince Harry, Prince William, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
Numerous members of the Royal Family travelled to the Queen’s estate in Balmoral, Scotland on 8 September after Buckingham Palace released a statement announcing that Her Majesty’s doctors were concerned for her health and had recommended she remained under medical supervision.
"The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral,” the statement said.
Charles now automatically becomes King in the wake of his mother's passing, though his coronation is unlikely to happen for months.
He will likely be proclaimed King officially tomorrow after a meeting of the Accession Council.
The queen’s oldest child also has the option of abdicating the throne and passing the title on to his eldest son, Prince William.
In the coming days, the queen will be taken to the Palace of Westminster where she will lie in state for three days, her coffin on a raised box known as a catafalque in the middle of Westminster Hall.
Meanwhile, government departments will begin preparations for the queen’s funeral, which has already been agreed to be a Day of National Mourning.
The state funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey, with a two-minutes’ silence held across the country at midday.
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Emily Brown