Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, head of the Commonwealth and monarch of 15 countries, has died aged 96 after more than 70 years on the throne, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates and reactions from around the world.
Queen Elizabeth died at the Balmoral royal estate in Scotland after having suffered from health problems since last October.
She was in her Platinum Jubilee year, marking 70 years since she succeeded her father king George VI in 1952.
All her children – including heir to the throne Prince Charles – rushed to be at her side at Balmoral, aides said.
A link to the almost-vanished generation that fought World War II, she was the only monarch most Britons have ever known, and her name defines an age: the modern Elizabethan Era. The impact of her loss will be huge, and unpredictable, both for the nation and for the monarchy, an institution she helped stabilize and modernize across decades of huge social change and family scandals.
With the death of the queen, her son Charles, automatically becomes monarch, even though the coronation might not take place for months. It is not known whether he will choose to call himself King Charles III or some other name.
She was under medical supervision at her summer residence in Scotland after doctors raised concerns about the 96-year-old monarch’s health as members of the royal family rushed to be at her side.
The announcement by the palace came a day after the queen canceled a virtual meeting of her Privy Council when doctors advised her to rest following a full day of events on Tuesday, when she formally asked Liz Truss to become Britain’s prime minister.
Discover more from Vietnam Insider
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.