Queen Elizabeth II – the longest reigning monarch in British history – has died at the age of 96.
Her Majesty's death comes just over a year after her beloved husband Prince Philip peacefully passed away on 9 April 2021 and just months after nationwide celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee.
The news was shared on the Royal Family's Twitter account and official website, shortly before being announced on multiple TV channels.
The tweet, which featured a beautiful picture of the Monarch, simply read: "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 Monarch experienced health issues after contracting Covid-19 in February and despite her determination to return to duties, she was forced to miss numerous events in order to rest in the months prior to her death.
Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral, where she traditionally spends August to October every year. While in Scotland, the Queen usually attends a handful of events but this time, she was forced to miss a number of much-loved occasions including the Braemar Gathering.
On Tuesday, she received two visits at Balmoral as Boris Johnson tendered his resignation, before holding a reception with the incoming Prime Minister Liz Truss.
The Monarch would traditionally travel back to Buckingham Palace for these events, but invited the politicians to Scotland in light of her health.
Wearing a grey cardigan and pleated tartan skirt, the monarch leant on a walking stick for support but was standing as she held an audience with the incoming prime minister and invited her to form a government
On Wednesday, the Queen was forced to miss a privy council meeting due to feeling unwell.
The Queen’s devotion to a life of service has meant she has fulfilled her official duties well into her nineties, from hosting diplomats, ambassadors, and Heads of State, to overseeing new sessions of Parliament, bestowing awards, supporting charities and addressing the nation during the recent coronavirus pandemic.
In March, she attended a memorial in honour of Philip, where adjustments were made to ensure she could attend and pay respects to her much-loved husband. Heart-wrenchingly, the Queen was seen appearing to hold back tears during the service.
Her Jubilee celebrations saw the whole royal family out in force and the Queen made numerous public appearances over the course of the four-day Bank Holiday weekend.
On the Thursday, she sat out the Trooping the Colour but observed the parade from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, where she was then joined by 17 family members – including Prince Charles, Camilla and and the Cambridges – to watch a flypast.
She then sadly pulled out of the following day's Thanksgiving service, which was attended by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, “with great reluctance” after suffering “some discomfort” at the previous day's event.
On Sunday 5 June, she made a surprise appearance on the Royal balcony – and the Party At The Palace concert kicked off with a phenomenal sketch featuring none other than the Queen herself and Paddington Bear.
In a statement released to mark the end of the Jubilee Weekend, the monarch said: "When it comes to how to mark 70 years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee."
She continued: “While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.
“I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident in recent days, and I hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come."
In the months since, she has continued undertaking duties and attending occasional events despite the palace officially scaling back her role.
When suffering from Covid-19 in early 2020, Elizabeth II at first continued with "light duties" and virtual engagements, before needing more time off.
Her Majesty received the vaccine, having had her first jab in January 2021 and her second jab in March of the same year, with sources saying it is believed she had the booster jab last October.
Queen Elizabeth II's reign began with her coronation on 2 June 1953 at London’s Westminster Abbey, in front of more than 8,000 guests.
Over 3 million people lined the streets of the capital to catch a glimpse of their new monarch, while an astonishing 27 million viewers tuned in to watch the first ever televised coronation.
Speaking during the solemn occasion, the Queen said: “I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”
Her promise was reiterated later that year during her first Christmas broadcast as monarch. She said: “I want to show that the Crown is not merely an abstract symbol of our unity but a personal and living bond between you and me.”
At the time the Queen was expected to juggle her new role with that of her home life, as wife to the Duke of Edinburgh and mother to HRH Prince Charles, then aged four, and the Princess Royal, Anne, who was two.
How much her life changed was demonstrated shortly after her coronation when she left for a seven-month tour of the Commonwealth, leaving the youngsters at home to be cared for by the Queen Mother.
Her determination to serve her country at all costs was perfectly summed up by Prince William in 2015, when he wrote in a preface to a biography of his grandmother: “I think I speak for my generation when I say that the example and continuity provided by the Queen is not only very rare among leaders but a great source of pride and reassurance.”
Although the Queen has to remain strictly neutral in political matters, she has fostered relationships with 14 Prime Ministers during her reign.
All against a background of great social, economic and cultural upheaval which included the regeneration of post-war Britain, the Swinging Sixties, economic decline in the '70s, the miners’ strike in the mid-80s, the Gulf War in the early 1990s, the peace process in Ireland, as well as Britain joining and leaving the EU, the threat of terrorism and a global pandemic.
While acknowledging that continuity was key to a successful monarchy, the Queen has also paved the way for future royals and their evolving roles. During her time on the throne she has facilitated huge shifts in protocol, a key step in helping the royal family seem more approachable.
To this end, in 1970, she carried out the first royal walkabout meeting people face-to-face during a tour of Australia and New Zealand. She also spoke in Gaelic during her first royal visit to Ireland in 2011.
Her reign wasn't without its challenges though, and marking the 40th anniversary of her ascension to the throne in 1992, the Queen reflected that she had not had a year she would look back on “with undiluted pleasure”.
It was a 12-month period that saw the Prince of Wales separate from Diana, Princess of Wales, the Duke of York’s estranged wife Sarah Ferguson caught in a tabloid scandal and Princess Anne’s divorce from her first husband Mark Phillips.
However, it didn’t stop there. On 20 November Windsor Castle almost burned to the ground, leading the Queen to admit, “It has turned out to be an annus horribilis.”
But the most unimaginable tragedy struck five years later, when on 31 August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales died, aged just 36, in a car crash in Paris.
The Queen was said to be hurt by the vocal public criticism of the royal family’s initial low-key response to Diana’s death.
Returning from her estate in Balmoral, Scotland, to Buckingham Palace, she attempted to repair the damage in a live TV broadcast. She paid tribute to her former daughter-in-law, saying: “She was an exceptional and gifted human being.”
And most recently, the Queen faced her own “deep sorrow” last April when she lost Philip, her husband of 73 years, who passed away at the age of 99.
While she naturally took time out to grieve, she was also determined to continue to fulfil her duties and remain visible to the public.
There will be an expected 10 days between Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's death and her funeral where her body will remain at Buckingham Palace for the family to spend time together in mourning.
She will then be moved to Westminster Hall, where she will lie in state for a number of days to give the public a chance to pay their respects.
On the 10th day, the Queen's body will be moved to Westminster Abbey for a state funeral, which will be attended by officials from all over the world and will be coordinated by the armed forces and government.
The day of the funeral, the country will be given a national day of mourning and Big Ben will chime at 9am, which is dependant on renovations.
The country will partake in a moment of silence that morning before the coffin arrives at Westminster Abbey.
The funeral service will most likely be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the senior bishop of the Church of England.
Like the many royals before her, it's believed that the Queen will be laid to rest in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's death means her eldest son Prince Charles, 72, will automatically become King. He will also be permitted to choose his own name, which could be King Charles III.
The Queen
A meeting of the Accession Council will then take place and he will be named King one day after the Queen's death after his siblings, Anne, Princess Royal, 70, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, 61, have both ceremoniously kissed his hand.
Although he will be named King, there is no timeline for when the coronation will take place.
The title of Prince of Wales will move on to his son Prince William, who will become first in line to throne.
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