Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was 96 years old.
*Updated on September 9, 2022, at 9:20 a.m. MST
Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace officials report. She was 96 years old.
The Queen was surrounded by her family at Balmoral Castle, her estate in the Scottish Highlands.
Buckingham Palace released the following statement: "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 Queen's eldest son, Charles, becomes King Charles III, and the head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms. The King will address the nation on Friday.
In a statement, His Majesty the King said: "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."
The Queen's four children, Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward, gave her eight grandchildren. She also leaves 12 great-grandchildren.
Official Royal Family engagements will be canceled and union flags will be flown at half-mast on royal residences, government buildings, across the Armed Forces, and UK Posts overseas.
Within the first 24 hours or so after his mother's death, Charles will officially be proclaimed King. This will take place at St James's Palace in London, in front of a ceremonial body known as the Accession Council. Members are made up of the Privy Council—a group of senior MPs—as well as some senior civil servants, Commonwealth high commissioners, and the Lord Mayor of London.
Tributes to Queen Elizabeth have flooded social media, with many sharing their condolences for the late monarch:
U.S. President Joe Biden released the following statement: "She charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared with us her wisdom. She stood in solidarity with the United States during our darkest days after 9/11, when she poignantly reminded us that, 'Grief is the price we pay for love'."
French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute, saying "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation's continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "She will be missed, not least her wonderful humour."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country's history. I will miss her so."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said, "As we grieve together, we know that, in losing our beloved Queen, we have lost the person whose steadfast loyalty, service and humility has helped us make sense of who we are."
Her Majesty reigned for 70 years over the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth. She was Britain's longest-reigning monarch—with one Twitter user stating that the Queen reigned for about 30% of U.S. History.
The British monarch was married for more than 73 years to Prince Philip, who died in 2021 at age 99.
Earlier this week, Queen Elizabeth met with Prime Minister Liz Truss. This was the Queen's last public appearance.
