HoHer son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, is now King Charles III, as the world grieves his mother, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
All Her Majesty’s children had rushed to Balmoral today after doctors became ‘concerned’ for her health. Hours later she died, surrounded by her family.
At 6.30pm her death was confirmed. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow’.
The Queen and Prince Philip pictured in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle ahead on June 2020, just nine months before his death on April 9, 2021
The Queen waits in the Drawing Room before receiving Liz Truss for an audience at Balmoral, Scotland on Tuesday
The Queen’s death will see Britain and her Commonwealth realms enter into a ten-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad come to terms with her passing. Her coffin will be moved to London on the royal train via Edinburgh before she lies in state in Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament for four days. Hundreds of thousands of people will be able to pay their respects.
The monarch pictured at Prince Philip’s funeral at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, west London on April 17, 2021
The state funeral is expected take place at Westminster Abbey in central London on Monday, September 19, which will be attended by her bereft family as well as 2,000 heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, European royals and key figures from public life around the globe.
The Queen’s death comes after after months of concern over her ill health and dwindling frame.
Buckingham Palace took the extraordinary step of releasing a statement on Thursday evening Australian time, saying doctors were ‘concerned for health and recommended she remain under medical supervision’.
Then the Palace announced she had died ‘peacefully’ at Balmoral.
A look at the Queen’s health problems
The 96-year-old suffered mobility problems that forced her to pull out of key events — including many of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, opting to attend virtually or send senior royals in her place.
The monarch also spent one night in hospital due to a mystery illness last autumn.
From October 2021: Episodic mobility problems
The Queen had faced ongoing ‘episodic mobility problems’ stretching back to last autumn and used a walking stick during her final days.
In October 2021, six months after her husband’s death, the monarch used the stick at a service at Westminster Abbey.
It marked the first time she had done so at a major public engagement.
After Prince Philip’s death, the Queen had struggled to carry out many of her usual in-person duties, with her mobility problems forcing her to either pull out of events or make an appearance via video calls.
She pulled out of the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in March 2022, a significant date in the royal calendar, and did not attend the Maundy Thursday service on April 14.
But she rallied to honour the Duke of Edinburgh at a memorial service on March 29, walking slowly and carefully with the aid of a stick, and holding on to the Duke of York’s elbow for support.
On May 20, she missed the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in nearly 60 years, with Buckingham Palace attributing her absence to ‘episodic mobility problems’.
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge opened parliament on her behalf as Counsellors of State, with Charles reading the Queen’s Speech for a historic first time.
On August 8, the Queen’s traditional welcome to Balmoral Castle by a guard of honour was reportedly held in private. A source said this was in line with events being adapted for the monarch’s comfort.
Just last week, the Queen missed the Braemar Gathering, a popular Highland Games event, held on September 3.
It is understood the decision was taken for the comfort of the head of state.
October 2021: Ordered bed rest
On October 20, 2021, after a busy autumn programme, the Queen was ordered to rest by her doctors for a few days.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said she was in ‘good spirits’ but disappointed, as the medical advice meant she had to cancel a two-day trip to Northern Ireland.
October 2021: Hospitalised due to mystery illness
The Queen, aged 95 at the time, was secretly admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital on the afternoon of October 20, 2021 to undergo ‘preliminary investigations’.
She was discharged the next day and ‘accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days’ and was said to be in ‘good spirits’ — carrying out light duties at her desk at Windsor.
November 2021: Pulled out of events
Concern for the Queen’s health mounted when she pulled out of more high-profile engagements in November 2021.
These included the Cop26 climate change summit in Glasgow on November 1 and the Festival of Remembrance on November 12.
Buckingham Palace said the monarch had been advised to continue to rest and to not carry out any official visits.
The Queen has faced ongoing ‘episodic mobility problems’ stretching back to last autumn and now uses a walking stick. In October 2021, six months after her husband’s death, the monarch used the stick at a service at Westminster Abbey (pictured). It marked the first time she had done so at a major public engagement
She was intent on attending the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph on November 13, but missed this due to a sprained back.
February 2022: Covid infection
There were fears for her health when she caught Covid, testing positive on February 20, 2022.
The Queen, who was then triple-vaccinated, suffered from mild cold-like symptoms but said the virus left her ‘very tired and exhausted’.
She carried on with light duties while self-isolating at Windsor but cancelled some virtual audiences.
June 2022: Discomfort during celebrations
On June 3, a day after thrilling crowds on the first day of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen pulled out of a celebration at St Paul’s Cathedral.
This was due to suffering ‘discomfort’ during the previous day’s celebrations
The decision was considered regrettable, it is understood, but sensible due to the length of the journey, the time involved and the physical demands of the event.
She went on to miss many other Platinum Jubilee events, making only two public appearances.