The world’s longest-serving queen, Queen Elizabeth II, who witnessed the atrocities of World War II as a teenager and later, as an elderly monarch, the agonies of a lethal pandemic and the personal suffering of her own family’s strife, has passed away. She was 96. The British royal family stated that the queen passed away “peacefully” at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Her passing ushers in 10 days of national mourning as per a long-standing scheme known as “Operation London Bridge.” Elizabeth succeeded her father, George VI, as king of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on February 6, 1952, with Prince Philip by her side.
Elizabeth became the first British queen to rule for 70 years on February 6, 2022. A new era for the United Kingdom has begun with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. — but one that is rife with waning national morale and economic insecurity.
At 96, the queen was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She passed away “peacefully” on Thursday at Scotland’s Balmoral Castle, hours after medical professionals had raised alarm about her failing health. Following the news, tens of thousands of Britons gathered outside Buckingham Palace in the pouring rain to pay their condolences.
No government statements will be made until after her funeral, which will be observed with a public holiday in about 10 days. Her passing will be commemorated by a time of the mournful ceremony.
The queen had come to represent a rare stability in a world of continual change over her 70-year reign, which saw the aftermath of World War II, the dissolution of Britain’s huge empire, the Brexit vote in 2016, and a pandemic. Hours after her passing, her eldest son, King Charles III, takes her place.
