Queen Elizabeth II has died

Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom’ s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death on 8 September 2022. 

Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch and the second longest recorded of any monarch of a sovereign country.

Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth). Her father acceded to the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive.

She was educated privately at home and began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, and their marriage lasted 73 years until his death in April 2021. They had four children together: Charles III; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonization of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union.

The number of her realms varied over time as territories have gained independence and some realms have become republics. Her many historic visits and meetings include state visits to China in 1986, Russia in 1994, the Republic of Ireland in 2011, and visits to or from five popes.

Significant events include Elizabeth's coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively. 

Elizabeth was the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch, the oldest and longest-serving incumbent head of state, and the second-longest verifiable reigning sovereign monarch in world history, only behind Louis XIV of France.

She faced occasional republican sentiment and media criticism of her family, particularly after the breakdowns of her children's marriages, her annus horribilis in 1992, and the death of her former daughter-in-law Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997.

However, support for the monarchy in the United Kingdom remained consistently high, as did her personal popularity. Elizabeth died on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire.

“The Queen is dead, Long live King Charles III”

The Duchess of York with Princess Elizabeth, 30 June 1927 by Marcus Adams (The Royal Collection Trust),

Princess Elizabeth in uniform (1942) by Cecil Beaton (The Royal Collection Trust),

Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh on their wedding day, 20th November 1947 by Sterling Henry Nahum ‘Baron’ (The Royal Collection Trust),

Queen Elizabeth II poses on her Coronation Day on June 2, 1953, in London (Photography by Cecil Beaton),

Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and family - 16 Mar 1960 by Cecil Beaton (From the Collection of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother),

Queen Elizabeth II and her son, the Prince of Wales, out riding at Windsor Castle I May 18, 1961 (PA),

The Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom used outside of Scotland,

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 - Platinum Party At The Palace. The Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear having cream tea at Buckingham Palace (BBC Platinum Party at the Palace),

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II released by The Royal Windsor Horse Show on April 20, 2022 to mark the occasion of her 96th birthday.

✨Today in Wedding History!✨⁣ ⁣ Today Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh celebrate their anniversary... 72 years of marriage!⁣ 💼⁣ The wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh on November 20,1947 served as an escape from post-WWII austerity in the UK. Two years after the war ended, Britain was still recovering and rationing was in effect for everyone, even The Royal Family... the future Queen saved up clothing coupons to purchase her wedding dress (although she was granted 200 extra ration coupons for the occasion!)!⁣ 👑⁣ Norman Hartnell - Britain’s leading couturier - submitted designs for the wedding dress, one of which was approved in mid-August, less than three months before the wedding! He created a bridal gown of fine pearl embroidery - featuring national and Commonwealth floral emblems including the rose, thistle, shamrock, and daffodil.⁣ 👑⁣ Meant to symbolize rebirth and growth in Britain after the war, the magnificent 15-foot long silk tulle full court train was woven with a floral design of trailing garlands of flowers - inspired by the famous Renaissance painting, “Primavera” by Botticelli.⁣ 👑⁣ Truly a stunning creation of ivory silk and decorated with crystals and 10,000 seed pearls... a wedding gown fit for a future Queen!⁣ ⁣ (Photos via the Royal Collection Trust)⁣ ⁣👑 Repost and Many thanks to @sbh.success.becomes.her ⁣⁣ #julieharrisdesigns #losanglesbridalveilexpert #theroyalcollectiontrust #royalwedding #royalcouple #queenelizabeth #happyanniversary #royalfamily #theveilcreatesthemagic #royalveil #cathedralveil #statementveil #fineartbride #bride #brideandgroom #bridegoals #veilgoals #weddingveil #bridalveil #veilmagic #veil #recentlyengaged #justmarried #engaged #bride #bridalinspiration #gettingmarried #futurebride #herecomesthebride #weddingwednesday (at Julie Harris Designs) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Gu2ROD9_Z/?igshid=12i6cq08ts9ny