Queen Elizabeth II died yesterday, September 8 at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, at the age of 96. Queen Elizabeth’s reign saw 15 different prime ministers, from Winston Churchill to the newly-appointed Liz Truss. Her Majesty will be remembered as one of, if not the most, iconic figures in British history. The flag atop Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast at 6:30 p.m. local time, while an official notice announcing the Queen’s death was posted on the gates to the palace, as is tradition.
The Queen’s eldest son and heir, Charles – the former Prince of Wales – has now become King of the United Kingdom and the 14 Commonwealth realms. When then-Prince Charles married Camilla in 2005, she received the title of Duchess of Cornwall. The palace also announced that she would become “Princess Consort” when Charles ascended to the throne. However, earlier this year, the Queen’s announcement marked a shift in the monarchy’s approach to Camilla and her official title.
By that point in her life, Queen Elizabeth had already met the love of her life, Prince Philip. They are said to have met for the first time while attending the wedding of Prince Philip’s cousin, Princess Marina of Greece, and The Duke of Kent, who was an uncle to Princess Elizabeth.
In July of 1947, the couple announced their engagement. On November 20, the same year, the couple married in Westminster Abbey.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had four children; Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. In addition to her four children, Her Majesty welcomed eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren during her life.
In 2007, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh became the first couple in the Royal Family to celebrate their Diamond Wedding anniversary.
“He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments. He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know,” Queen Elizabeth said during the celebration.
In 2022, Queen Elizabeth became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. On February 6 – 70 years after her father’s passing and her ascension to the throne – Queen Elizabeth renewed the pledge she made on her 21st birthday. “As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service,” Her Majesty said.