Britain’s Queen Elizabeth dies – Buckingham Palace

BALMORAL, Scotland (Reuters) – Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch in seven decades, has died at the age of 96, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

“The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

“The King and Queen will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

Her eldest son Charles, 73, automatically becomes King of the United Kingdom and Head of 14 other kingdoms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Her family was quick to stand by her in their Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, after doctors expressed concern about her health. She has been experiencing what Buckingham Palace describes as “occasional mobility issues” since the end of last year, forcing her to withdraw from nearly all of her public engagements.

Queen Elizabeth II, who was also the world’s oldest and longest-serving head of state, ascended to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI on February 6, 1952, when she was only 25 years old.

She was crowned in June of the following year.

Additional reporting; Editing by Kate Holton and Janet Lawrence

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