England’s longest-ruling monarch has passed away. 

The Royal Family made the announcement Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II “died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.” 

Prince Charles immediatly became the King of England, and will rule as King Charles III. He issued a statement following his mother’s death expressing the family’s grief. “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. 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.”

Statement from King Charles on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II pic.twitter.com/1BwBv60n6s

— BNO News (@BNONews) September 8, 2022

Earlier on Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II had been placed under medical supervision at Balmoral Castle, her estate in Scotland Highlands, Buckingham Palace said in a statement: 

Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.

The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.

Prime Minister Liz Truss—who was appointed just two days ago to the position by the Queen—posted a somber tweet on Thursday morning about the situation, saying, “The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime.”  

The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime.

My thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time.

— Liz Truss (@trussliz) September 8, 2022

The Queen’s four children, Charles, Anne, Edward, and Andrew, were reportedly by her side at Balmoral. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William was also on-site. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were already in Europe, and though early reports said both were joining the family at Balmour, Prince Harry’s spokesperson clarified that just Harry was traveling to be with the Royal family. 

Queen Elizabeth has worn the crown for 70 years—the longest of any monarch in British history—and is 96 years old. Any news of her death will be announced by an official post placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace, in much the same way birth announcements are handled by the Royal Family. 

Follow here for live coverage from the BBC.

We join the world in sending our thoughts and prayers to the Royal family and the British people. 

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s monarch for the past 70 years, has died aged 96 https://t.co/nuFdc3PV49

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 8, 2022

 

All the Queen’s four children are now with her at Balmoral Castle. Along with her grandson, the Duke of Cambridge.
This is a serious situation. #queen #queenelizabeth pic.twitter.com/6fWzhHxLol

— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 8, 2022

Breaking News: Queen Elizabeth II has been placed under medical supervision and doctors are “concerned” about her health, Buckingham Palace said.

The queen, who is 96, has not been hospitalized and remains at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.https://t.co/vKGQ5HrUwc

— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 8, 2022

“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,”
.#thequeen #queenelizabeth pic.twitter.com/m2NyWGiK6I

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@NewsCambridges) September 8, 2022

Not good news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth state of health.
God save the Queen.
13:01 hrs.
08/09/2022. pic.twitter.com/YFu39HRq2P

— Nicholas Quish (@nicholas_quish) September 8, 2022

Just a reminder that Queen Elizabeth has reigned for 30% of U.S. history.

— Matt Glassman (@MattGlassman312) September 8, 2022