On Thursday, September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, marking the end of a prominent era for the United Kingdom.
Happening just one day after Queen Elizabeth appointed Liz Truss as the new British Prime Minister. Concerns for the Queen’s health had been circulating heavily recently, however, these concerns escalated drastically after images from the aforementioned event surfaced online, showing the Queen looking notably frail and bruised.
On the morning of September 8th, Buckingham Palace released a statement regarding the monarch’s health stating “Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.” The Queen’s family then traveled to Balmoral Castle to be with her majesty, and not long into the afternoon, the monarch passed away peacefully at the age of 96.
The death of Queen Elizabeth II shocked the world, as the monarch had been the longest reigning British monarch in history, with a reign lasting for an astounding 70 years and 7 months, making her the second longest reigning monarch in the history of the world, behind Louis XIV of France. The monarch took the throne when she was only twenty-five years old when her father died in 1952. She served as a connection to the past, having witnessed World War II and post-imperial times, and she also saw the country through its exit from the European Union. Despite the natural scandals that follow ruling over a country, Queen Elizabeth managed to maintain both high popularity and approval ratings throughout her reign.
Queen Elizabeth is survived by her four children, Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, all of which she had with her late husband Prince Phillip. Her eldest son, Charles III, is now the King of the United Kingdom at the age of 73, making Prince William now the heir apparent.
As per tradition, the United Kingdom is now initiating “Operation London Bridge,” and observing ten days of mourning in honor of the late monarch. For now, the entire world weeps at the loss of one of the most prominent figures of the past century.