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Queen Elizabeth dead at the age of 96 after 70-year rule of UK

The monarch’s death was announced by Buckingham Palace at 6.30pm tonight
The monarch’s death was announced by Buckingham Palace at 6.30pm tonight

Queen Elizabeth II has died peacefully at the age of 96 in Balmoral, ending a remarkable reign of more than 70 years.

The national anthem was played on the BBC after Buckingham Palace confirmed the sad news, while mourners outside the gates were in tears shortly after the announcement.

Earlier today, at 12.32pm, the Palace said that doctors were concerned for the monarch’s health, sparking widespread concerns across the country.

Elizabeth’s children – including the new King Charles – flew to the Scottish Highlands, so that her family could be at Her Majesty’s side in her final moments.

Buckingham Palace, where the flags have already been lowered to half mast, said in a statement at around 6.30pm: ‘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.’

Prince William, now first in line to the throne, also headed to Scotland, with Prince Andrew and the Duke and Duchess of Wessex.

Queen Elizabeth II dead: Key details

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died after 70 years on the throne, with her death announced by Buckingham Palace on 8 September 2022.

She passed away at the age of 96 years old surrounded by her family at her home in Balmoral, including her son and heir to the throne Charles, the Prince of Wales, and her grandsons, the Duke Of Cambridge, Prince William and the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry.

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Prince Harry travelled without Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, to be at the Queen’s bedside.

The last picture of the Queen taken in the Drawing Room at Balmoral where she met Liz Truss on Tuesday (Picture: AP)
The last picture of the Queen taken in the Drawing Room at Balmoral where she met Liz Truss on Tuesday (Picture: AP)

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Kate stayed in Windsor to take care of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who had their first full day at their new school.

The first indication that the Queen’s health had deteriorated came on Wednesday evening when she pulled out of a virtual Privy Council meeting, a day after appointing Liz Truss as PM.

The country will now go into a period of mourning, led by Charles – likely to be known as King Charles III – following his automatic accession to the throne.

The UK’s longest-serving and oldest ever monarch, Elizabeth has suffered a series of illnesses over the last few months.

She was ordered to rest for weeks following an overnight stay in hospital in October and missed a series of public events.

A rainbow is seen over the Queen Victoria Memorial as members of the public gather outside Buckingham Palace in central London. Queen Elizabeth II is under medical supervision with the royal family rushing to be by her side amid serious health fears. Buckingham Palace has issued a statement saying royal doctors were concerned for the Queen's health, as the Prince of Wales and her other children, and the Duke of Cambridge cleared their diaries and immediately headed to her home in the Scottish Highlands. Picture date: Thursday September 8, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Queen. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
A double rainbow appeared over Buckingham Palace on Thursday afternoon (Picture: PA)

Then in February, she contracted Covid-19, which she said made her feel exhausted.

There was also speculation about her mobility in her final months, with reports that Balmoral had been fitted with chairlifts.

Elizabeth became Queen in February 1952 and her coronation was 16 months later.

Her reign saw a period of significant change with 15 prime ministers serving under her.

She was a stable figure throughout historic events such as the collapse of the British Empire, man landing on the moon, the Cold War and the invention of the internet.

Tributes are already pouring in from across the world, including the 15 countries for which she was head of state and another 36 countries that form the Commonwealth.

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ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: (L-R) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Edward, Earl of Wessex arrive to see Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Buckingham Palace issued a statement earlier today saying that Queen Elizabeth was placed under medical supervision due to concerns about her health. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Prince William drove Prince Andrew and the Duke and Duchess of Wessex from Aberdeen Airport (Picture: Getty)

On her third day in office, Liz Truss declared the nation ‘devastated’ and said it was a ‘huge shock to the nation’ that the country’s ‘rock’ had died.

The Queen was widely considered to be a much-loved monarch in the UK, who closely guarded her personal opinions, aside from her religious faith, which she regularly spoke about in public speeches and at events.

Born in April 1926, she won praise over the years for her integrity and sense of duty.

In recent years, Elizabeth’s public appearances became less frequent, partly due to the pandemic, and partly because of her failing health.

Her death came nearly 18 months after that of her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April 2021.

Onlookers stand by the entrance to Balmoral in Scotland, where the Queen is under medical supervision with the royal family rushing to be by her side amid serious health fears. Buckingham Palace has issued a statement saying royal doctors were concerned for the Queen's health, as the Prince of Wales and her other children, and the Duke of Cambridge cleared their diaries and immediately headed to her home in the Scottish Highlands. Picture date: Thursday September 8, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Queen. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
People gathered at Balmoral awaiting news on Her Majesty earlier (Picture: PA)

They had four children, King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

They also have eight grandchildren – including the new heir to the throne, Prince William, who is now likely to be given the title the Prince of Wales from his father – and 12 great-grandchildren.

It has been seven decades since a monarch has died in the UK, meaning many of the traditional protocols now in motion will be seen for the first time by the majority of people in the hours, days and weeks to come.

Preparations for the Queen’s death have been ongoing for decades with the code ‘London Bridge is down’ being used to alert ministers of state.

Support for the monarchy remains strong and Elizabeth’s personal popularity high, but she has faced some republican sentiment during her reign.

She described 1992 as her ‘annus horribilis’ (horrible year) following the breakdown of her children’s marriages and a major fire at her favourite home, Windsor Castle, where she chose to live in her final years.

There was also criticism of her response to the death of Princess Diana in 1997.

But she was widely admired around the globe and won praise from countless world leaders over the decades.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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