Queen Elizabeth II dies at age 96

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, has died.

She was 96.

Her death was announced Thursday in a tweet from the Royal Family. Her eldest son, Charles, will succeed her to become King Charles III.

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. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022

Early Thursday, Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying that after an examination, doctors were “concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.”

The statement added that the Queen was “comfortable” and was resting at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

She died later in the day with her family by her side.

Elizabeth was born April 21, 1926, the first child of King George VI and his wife.

Elizabeth was 25 when she ascended the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, after George VI died while the princess and her husband, Philip, were abroad.

She flew back to England immediately and succeeded her father as monarch. Her coronation was held at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.

Elizabeth made 22 official visits to Canada during her reign, but none since 2010. Her last visit to Saskatchewan was in 2005, when she celebrated the 100th anniversary of the province’s entry into Confederation.

In 2015, Elizabeth surpassed Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Victoria was queen from 1837 to 1901.

Elizabeth II is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Prince Philip died on April 9, 2021.

The Queen tested positive for COVID-19 in February but had only mild symptoms. She subsequently returned to light duties.

On May 9, it was announced that Elizabeth would miss the opening of the British Parliament due to what Buckingham Palace called “episodic mobility problems.”

It was the first time in 59 years that she didn’t attend the opening. Prince Charles read the Queen’s speech, while her throne sat empty.

She also missed events at Easter and she didn’t host royal garden parties.

However, the Queen did participate in her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in early June, joining family members on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to wave to crowds and watch some of the events.

Her health deteriorated in subsequent months.