Elizabeth II, Queen of England, Dies in Scotland

She is the longest-reigning monarch in the country’s history.

Queen Elizabeth II of England died at Balmoral, her home in Scotland, on Thursday, September 8 at the age of 96 and surrounded by family, according to an announcement from Buckingham Palace. The cause of death was not revealed.

“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the announcement read. Referring to the queen’s son, Charles, and his wife, Camilla, it also included, “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

Along with Charles, Prince of Wales, the queen is survived by her other sons, Prince Andrew; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; by her daughter, Anne, princess royal; and their families. Her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died in 2021 at the age of 99. The couple married in November of 1947.

Elizabeth was crowned queen in 1952 at the age of 26. She is the longest-reigning monarch in English history, having celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year to commemorate 70 years on the throne. 15 prime ministers have served alongside the queen during her tenure. The most recent, Liz Truss, was just elected this month. She has also met with 13 of the last 14 U.S. presidents.

Plans for the queen’s succession are extensive and complex, and have been laid meticulously over the course of several years in an operation referred to as “London Bridge.” Charles, her eldest son, will ascend to the throne later this month, following a 10-day mourning period.