Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the news in a statement on Thursday, 8 September.
“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 statement read.
The news comes after the queen, contracted Covid-19 again this year, and cancelled various engagements recently with her health deteriorating since spending a night in hospital last year.
She’s struggled as of late with “episodic mobility problems” and has been forced to use a walking stick.
Her Majesty marked her Platinum Jubilee this year – 70 years on the throne – making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Celebrations across the UK took place with the queen making multiple appearances.
The queen has slowed down in recent years, however, passing many of her duties on to her son, Prince Charles. The Prince of Wales is expected to take the throne as King, while his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, will be known as Queen Consort.