After 70 years of ruling, the Queen has died at 96

BY KEIRA KILKENNY, STAFF WRITER

Thursday afternoon, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning Monarch in British history, passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle, surrounded by family, according to Buckingham Palace.

Days before her death, the Palace announced that doctors were concerned about her health and put her under medical supervision. In the hours before her passing, many members of the Royal family gathered in Balmoral to be with her.

Elizabeth was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, coming to the throne in 1952, exactly 70 years ago.

Since ascending the throne, women have become priests and prime ministers, gay rights and women’s rights across the globe have expanded, and much more. However, she also faced criticism for her ties to colonization and for covering up family scandals.

To emphasize her impressive tenure, Washington Post highlighted that nine out of ten living humans were born after Elizabeth became queen. President Biden is also the thirteenth and final US President to have met her.

Elizabeth’s son, formerly the Prince of Wales, has risen to the throne as King Charles III. His wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall is now the Queen consort. This is per Elizabeth’s request at her royal jubilee in February.