Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. Image: Royal.uk/PA
Britain’s longest serving monarch Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. The Queen took her last breath on Thursday afternoon at her Balmoral Castle in Scotland, shortly after it was reported that her doctors were concerned about her health, resulting in members of her family rushing to her side. Following her passing, the Queen’s eldest son Charles (73) automatically ascended to the throne, becoming King Charles III.
In a short statement released on Thursday afternoon, the Royal Family said, “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
The Queen, whose health had been deteriorating in the past few months, made her last public appearance on Tuesday when she met newly appointed UK Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral.
Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25 following the death of her father King George VI. Having sat on the throne for 70 years, she is the longest serving monarch in British history.
The death of Her Majesty comes almost a year and half after that of her husband Prince Philip, who died in April last year at the age of 99. She is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
