Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth, the longest-reigning British Monarch, dies at 96

Thursday afternoon brings an end to one of the longest leadership tenures in world history.

Queen Elizabeth II was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 

• She assumed the title of Queen in 1952 after her father's death and reigned for more than 70 years until her death on Sept. 8, 2022, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. 

• She was also the only female member of the royal family to have entered the armed forces and served in World War II.

• For parts of eight decades, Queen Elizabeth served as monarch of Britain, with more than 70 years passing between her ascension to the throne in 1952 and her death.
• --- By Washington Post

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who was the second-longest reigning monarch in history, after France's Louis XIV.

She died peacefully at her estate in Balmoral, Scotland , according to a statement from Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth II's eldest son, Charles, succeeds as king immediately, according to centuries of protocol, beginning a new, less certain chapter for the royal family after the queen's record-breaking 70-year reign.

Queen Elizabeth II's eldest son, Charles, succeeds as king immediately, according to centuries of protocol.

"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."  ----   King Charles

Queen Elizabeth's death was marked with 96-round salutes in London, one for each year of her life

Funeral was planned as a secret operation titled 'London Bridge'.

Royal Mourning

Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King's wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral. The date of the Funeral will be confirmed in due course.

Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties.

Flags at Royal Residences

Flags at Royal Residences were half masted yesterday, Thursday 8th September, and will remain half-masted until 0800hrs on the morning after the final day of Royal Mourning.