Queen Elizabeth II Has Died At Age 96

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away.

On the morning of Thursday, September 8, Buckingham Palace released a statement revealing that her health had taken a decline:

"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."

At the time, Clarence House reported that Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were by her side and Prince William was en route. The immediate family of the Queen had been notified early Thursday morning as many feared the worst.

On Thursday afternoon, around 1:30 PM ET, The Royal Family released a short statement on Twitter, writing, "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."

Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926 and became Queen in 1953. Her husband, Prince Philip, passed away last year, at the age of 99. Only a few months after he passed away, an American outlet erroneously reported that the 96-year-old monarch had died of natural causes.

Although the Queen was alive, it did prompt concerns about her health, especially after she tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-February.

At the time Buckingham Palace had released a statement that the Queen was experiencing "mild cold-like symptoms" but would continue to carry out "light duties" at Windsor Castle as she recovered. The Queen had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and received ongoing medical care at the time.

A few months later, in May, Queen Elizabeth II canceled several of her engagements prior to the Platinum Jubilee celebration. Buckingham Palace released a statement on Monday, May 9, reading, “Her Royal Highness continues to experience episodic mobility problems.”

On June 2, the Queen had withdrawn from attending the Platinum Jubilee National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.

Buckingham Palace released a statement saying that she was reluctant to stay away, adding that she had experienced “discomfort” during the first full day of celebrations. Instead, her son, The Prince of Wales, represented her at the service, which marked her 70th anniversary on the throne.

Princes Charles had contracted COVID-19 just over a week before the Queen was announced. Shortly before that occurred, the Queen had made an announcement, declaring that she would like Camilla to be given the title of Queen Consort upon her passing.

Camilla had taken the lesser title of Princess Consort when she married Prince Charles approximately seventeen years ago.

“I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me,” the Queen wrote in an official statement.

“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”

A statement by the Clarence House said that the couple was “touched and honored” by the Queen’s gesture.

Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said that “This is the most extraordinary message. The Queen is ensuring the transition, when it comes, to her son as king is as seamless and trouble free as possible. She’s future-proofing an institution she’s served for 70 years. And for Camilla, the journey from being the third person in a marriage to queen-in-waiting, is complete.”

After she passed away, Prince Charles immediately became King. Politico has broken down the next steps for the Royal Family, known as Operation London Bridge, as individuals around the world mourn her passing.