Queen Elizabeth II Passes Away At 96

Queen Elizabeth II has ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a much loved and respected figure across the globe. This year she became the first monarch to reign for 70 years and celebrate a platinum jubilee. Queen passed away at 96, today in Scotland, at Balmoral estate. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon."

Queen Elizabeth II was under medical supervision of doctors at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland before her death. She was Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other sovereign countries. She was an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social change. The Buckingham Palace has announced the news of Queens demise.

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s monarch for the past 70 years, has died aged 96 https://t.co/nuFdc3PV49

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 8, 2022

Queen Elizabeth Passes Away

Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21 April 1926, during the reign of her paternal grandfather, King George V. Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth was 25 years old. She became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as well as Head of the Commonwealth. 

Queen married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark in November 1947. The matrimony lasted 73 years until his death in April 2021- together they had four children Charles (Prince of Wales), Anne (Princess Royal), Prince Andrew, (Duke of York), and Prince Edward (Earl of Wessex). 

Elizabeth never thought of becoming a queen one day. But when her uncle, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936 and her father King George VI died of lung cancer, it all went to her, and Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth as if it was destined. 

Queen played a cultural role, becoming one of the most recognizable political figures, conducting a confidential weekly meeting with 14 prime ministers throughout her reign. Her role included greeting civilians, charity visits, and speaking with diplomats. Queen's extraordinary reign has seen her travel more widely than any other monarch, undertaking many historic overseas visits. She was known for her sense of duty, devotion to a life of service, and also multiple controversies. 

Queen took education until the age of 10, their onwards never took formal education. The one thing queen had was exemplary knowledge of racehorses. She was a lover of breeding racehorses and kept at least a few corgis around the home. To talk about her knowledge, the Netflix series -The Crown gives us a sneak pick of the Royals of the United Kingdom. Few episodes do trace the timidity of the Queen in her initial days of taking the throne. She always felt staying quiet is the right way to deal with matters.  

Suggested Reading - Queen Elizabeth II’s Under Medical Supervision, Family Heads To Balmoral

Queen Elizabeth II's personal wealth has been the subject of speculation for many years. In 1971, Jock Colville, her former private secretary and a director of her bank, Coutts, estimated her wealth at £2 million. 

National Protocols After Queen Elizabeth's Death

Plans are reported to be in place for national protocols that will be enacted in the event of the death of the Queen, reports Examiner Live. There's always a plan in place in case the monarch dies in Scotland, code-named Operation Unicorn.

On the day of her death, the Prime Minister will be the first to be informed of the monarch's passing. Next will be on the list- The members of the Accession Council will name Charles the new king and a proclamation will be read out at St James' Palace and the Royal Exchange. Queen Elizabeth II's coffin will return to Buckingham Palace

For the next few days will see King Charles set off on his UK tour, visiting the Scottish Parliament and St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, then Northern Ireland's Hillsborough Castle and a service at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.

A procession will begin, starting at Buckingham Palace and ending at the Houses of Parliament, and then a service will be held at Westminster Hall. The funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey, followed by a committal service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth II will be buried the King George IV Memorial Chapel.