Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away Thursday, September 8, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The Queen was 96 years old when she passed away after serving for 70 years as Britain’s monarch. 

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on April 21, 1926, and officially became Queen of England after the death of her father in February 1952. At just 25 years old she took leadership of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and South America. She lived through countless wars, pandemics, and technological advancements. In fact, her coronation was the first royal event of its kind to be broadcasted on live television.

The Queen’s son, Prince Charles, now known as King Charles III, immediately took the throne as he was next in the line of succession. The country will have its currency, passports, and stamps altered to suit its new king. His wife, Camilla, will also have a new title as the “queen consort”, which indicates that she is the spouse of the King, but not the Queen since a person who marries the royal family is not able to inherit the throne. This indication brings up another controversial topic, especially since the new King is 73 years old, Prince Harry.

Although deciding to step down from his royal duties and move to the United States with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, he is still fifth in the line of succession for the throne. His decisions back in January of 2020 made headlines throughout the world as he supported his wife who claimed that there were instances of racist attitudes and an unbearable amount of stress on their new roles. Both stated that their mental health was declining due to the royal family and politics, all decisions leading up to the most important of walking away from the throne; a decision that was supported by the prince’s grandmother herself.

It is a time of mourning for many around the world. The Queen and the royal family will be in our thoughts and prayers.