HRH Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022
After 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away and her son the Prince of Wales has become King Charles III. The nation mourned her death as people left flowers and personal tributes outside palaces and churches across the UK.
The country’s longest-reigning monarch died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on Thursday, 8th September at the age of 96. King Charles III is the new monarch. His mother’s death was a moment of “greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” he said.
The Queen took the monarchy through difficult times with Britain’s empire coming to an end and the nation’s place in the world being changed forever. Besides the UK, she was the head of state of at least 14 other countries including Australia, Canada, and Jamaica.
Prime Minister Liz Truss said that she was “the rock upon which modern Britain was built.”
Her reign has seen Britain through the turbulent post-war period, the cold war, and age of the internet. The world during her coronation is almost unrecognisable from the one that exists today. At the time, Harry Truman was US president while Winston Churchill was prime minister. Her rule saw 14 US presidents and 15 UK prime ministers, and spanned nearly a third of America’s existence as an independent country and almost half of Canada’s.
Now the world looks to Charles III as he becomes king. The currency, as well as the stamps, will be replaced with his likeness and the national anthem is now God Save the King.
Looking ahead, it is unlikely that many of us will see another queen in the UK ever in our lifetimes as Charles will be succeeded by William whose heir is Prince George.
Image: UK Government
