British officials have announced that Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday. Upon her death, her son King Charles III immediately became the British monarch.
On Tuesday the Queen oversaw the transfer of power from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to newly elected Prime Minister Elizabeth Truss. Doctors had advised her to rest on Wednesday
“With the passing of the second Elizabethan age, we usher in a new era in the magnificent history of our great country. Exactly as her Majesty would have wished: by saying the words, ‘God save the King,'” Truss said in her statement Thursday afternoon.
Many have been increasingly concerned for the Queen’s health following a bout with COVID-19. During the Queen’s four-day 70th jubilee celebration in June, she made only two appearances, and the Queen has increasingly passed crown duties to then-Prince Charles and other members of the royal family.
President Joe Biden conveyed his concern for the monarch in a statement to Truss saying, “his and the first lady’s thoughts are solidly and squarely with the Queen today and her family,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
