Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom’s longest-reigning queen, died at the age of 96 at Balmoral, after reigning for 70 years. She passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon at her Scottish estate, where she had spent the majority of the summer.
Since her accession to the throne in 1952, the Queen has witnessed immense socioeconomic transformation.
Queen Elizabeth II’s reign as head of state spanned post war austerity, the shift from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War, and the United Kingdom’s membership into – and exit from – the European Union. Her tenure encompassed 15 prime ministers, beginning with Winston Churchill born in 1874 and ending with Ms Truss born in 1975, 101 years later.
Throughout her rule, she met with her prime minister on a weekly basis.
What’s happening now
The Royal Family is presently in a state of mourning. Much of national life will be placed on pause in the next few days.
Official engagements will be canceled, and union flags will be flown at half-mast on royal homes, government buildings, the Armed Forces, and UK posts around the world. Members of Parliament will pay homage to the Queen and swear allegiance to King Charles.
Church bells will ring and gun salutes will be fired as local and national organizations and charities plan remembrance ceremonies and books of condolence.
The Queen’s state funeral is scheduled for the following two weeks.