Queen Elizabeth II Dies at 96

On September 8th 2022, Queen Elizabeth II was reported dead at the age of 96 after ruling for 70 years. She died peacefully in her Scottish estate, Balmoral Castle, where she had spent most of the summer. Queen Elizabeth was a leader who saw Britain go from a “war-weary declining imperial power” to a “modern multicultural state,” facing several storms, both public and personal, as the monarchy tried to keep up with changing times. Her entire reign spanned 15 prime ministers, including Prime Minister Truss.

Prime Minister Truss’s remarks on Queen Elizabeth II’s death from the Prime Minister’s office, 10 downing street

Her son, and current monarch of England, King Charles says that her death was a “moment of great sadness,” and that her loss will be “deeply felt” across the globe.

“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”

When she was born in 1926, no one knew that she would become the queen. She didn’t assume position as the heir to the throne until her father, King George VI was crowned in 1936 due to his older brother renouncing the throne. In the next few years, England was at war with Germany, and during that time Queen Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret stayed in Windsor Castle, being tutored.

Once she turned 14, she started taking more steps towards public life, with her first radio broadcast to children who had suffered from the war. At 16, she was appointed honorary colonel of the Grenadier Guards, a British infantry unit.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images, Photo Quest/Getty Images

It wasn’t until 1949 the death of her father, King George VI, when she was officially appointed Queen of England. Throughout her reign, she had gone through several challenges, both with family and politics, but she stayed strong and ruled Britain as a “beacon of stability.” In February of 2022, she marked the start of her platinum jubilee year, as she became the first British Monarch to rule for 70 years.

And now, crowds gather outside of Buckingham palace, congregating around the palace gates and the Victoria memorial, mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886

SPARSH AIYAR

Editor in Chief at The City Voice | 1st Place Video Interview | MIPA 2021-22 Division 1 Digital Media Contest

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