The world mourns as Queen Elizabeth peacefully passed away at her Scottish residence in Balmoral today at the age of 96.
The longest serving monarch in history reportedly died peacefully following a lengthy decline in her health over recent months.
Members of the royal family including the Cambridges, and her son and now King, Charles, Princess Royal Anne, the Countess of Wessex and Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, flew in to Aberdeen, Scotland this afternoon local time to be at the Queen’s bedside following the sudden announcement of the decline in her health.
Before her death, doctors said that the Queen was “comfortable” and “resting” in the picturesque Scottish castle, which was reportedly the Queen’s favorite royal residence.
Over the course of her 70 years of service, both to Britain and to the 54 countries in the British commonwealth, the Queen has remained a steadfast figurehead throughout the ages and has been a uniting figure for millions of people across the world.
The Queen received Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle today.
Her Majesty asked her to form a new Administration. Ms. Truss accepted Her Majesty’s offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. pic.twitter.com/klRwVvEOyc
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 6, 2022
Elizabeth did more for charity during her reign than any other monarch in history.
Her charitable work over the course of her long life was unparalleled. Elizabeth had over 600 patronages including many military associations for struggling veterans and public service organizations across Britain and the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Trust was set up by the (then) ageing monarch in after her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The Trust was set up to help young leaders across 54 countries to help “young leaders” to initiate positive change in their communities:
“Whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load,” she said of the charity.
The Queen has appointed 15 prime ministers over the course of her reign, the first being Sir Winston Churchill in 1951 and the last, Liz Truss just earlier this week.
Despite this, the Queen remained completely politically neutral throughout her days, which meant that her legacy will not be tainted by petty political arguments.
Her reign has spanned for around 30 percent of the total history of the USA, which goes to show just how much change she, as a leader, a figurehead and a human being has seen alongside us all.
At the tender age of 13, the (then) princess saw World War II break out, and like many children living in London at the time, she was evacuated with her sister, Princess Margaret to avoid German bombings.
Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill. pic.twitter.com/qXrmtkDmA8
— Based Tom
(@TomEDewey1948) September 8, 2022
At the end of the war in 1945, Elizabeth was rumored to have taken to the streets of London in secret along with her sister to celebrate and dance with the jubilant public, none of whom recognised the future Queen!
Throughout her reign, the monarch remained in remarkable good health, right up until her final year, when her fragility and mobility issues began to show.
Only a few days before her death, Queen Elizabeth was still on her feet engaging with members of the public at a hospice in Britain.
She also met Liz Truss just two days ago, when she was photographed smiling and shaking hands with the new prime minister, although on doctor’s orders she did not travel to London, as is usual when parliament appoints a new prime minister.
Not many people in Britain remember a time when the Queen was not there as their monarch. She has provided the public with a comforting sense of stability and familiarity. During the Covid pandemic and lockdown in the UK, she delivered the emotional message that “we will meet again” in a nod to Dame Vera Lynn’s famous war-time song.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
The “humility” which vowed to sustain during her coronation when she was 25-years-old on June 2 1953 has featured throughout her lifetime and has endeared her to millions around the word, whatever their views on having a monarchy might be.
“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust,” she said after her coronation.
“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great Imperial family to which we all belong.”
This story syndicated with permission from For the Love of News