Thursday afternoon, September 8, at about 1:30 p.m. EST, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen was 96-years-old. She died peacefully at Balmoral Castle, her Scottish estate, with her family by her side. She had been under medical supervision at the estate.
Elizabeth was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. She ascended to the throne in 1952, and celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June, for serving 70 years as queen.
Her eldest son, Prince Charles III, Prince of Wales, is now King. Charles is the first child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Charles’ wife, will become known as queen consort. King Charles was previously married to the deceased Diana, the mother of his children, Prince Harry and Prince William.
President Biden on Thursday ordered that the American flag be flown at half-staff at the White House, federal buildings and embassies around the world until the end of the day of Queen Elizabeth’s burial.