People around the world are remembering the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II following her death at the age of 96. The longest reigning British monarch died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, surrounded by members of the royal family, including her four children -- Prince Charles of Wales, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
The royal family announced the queen's death with an official statement on their social media pages, sharing a portrait of the late monarch.
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," the statement read, before referring to the newly ascended King Charles, her eldest son, who will succeed his mother on the throne. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
She is survived by her children, along with eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, which includes Prince William and Kate Middleton's kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as well as Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle's children, Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. Lilibet was named in her honor.
Queen Elizabeth took the throne at 25 years old, and was officially crowned during a 1953 coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. She cemented her new status with a seven-month tour of the Commonwealth, alongside husband Prince Philip.
Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth met with numerous world leaders, including 12 U.S. presidents, and made her first visit to the United States in 1957, where she was hosted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Her Majesty also worked with 15 British prime ministers over her decades on the throne, including Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female prime minister (the two had a longstanding contentious relationship).
In June 2022, she celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. The queen had to sit out several of the week-long festivities due to her health and mobility issues, though she made a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to close out the occasion.
Days before her death, Elizabeth made history again, accepting the resignation of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and appointing new Prime Minister Liz Truss. She requested that these official events take place at Balmoral Castle rather than Buckingham Palace for the first time in her reign. Truss is the third female British prime minister ever and the 15th prime minister to be appointed during Her Majesty's reign.
Immediately after the news of her death was confirmed, political leaders, celebrities and more from across the globe took to social media to honor the historic monarch.
"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," the newly named King Charles III said in a statement provided by Buckingham Palace. "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held," he concluded.
A statement from His Majesty The King: pic.twitter.com/AnBiyZCher
Keep reading to see how others are honoring the late monarch.
Thank you Ma'am, for everything.
pic.twitter.com/6dRdkpUdgH
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I mourn with my country the passing of our greatest Queen. With a heavy heart I say it is devastating the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II pic.twitter.com/JZYXGRz2hb
Queen Elizabeth II has passed away at age 96. My thoughts are with the royal family and with the people of the United Kingdom and truly around the world who mourn her passing. In her time, the Queen saw a country and indeed a world transformed. There shall be none other like her.
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To my British friends and colleagues. God Bless the Queen and the Royal Family. Our hearts are with you and the people of the United Kingdom today.
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#RIPQueenElizabethpic.twitter.com/Jcn0Zut8tZ
For updates on Queen Elizabeth's death, visit ET's ongoing coverage here.
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