96-year-old British Queen Elizabeth II has died after 70 years of reigning

The longest-reigning monarch in British history died Thursday after 70 years on the throne. At the age of 96, she died.

After her health took a turn for the worse, members of the royal family rushed to her side at Balmoral Castle, her summer residence in Scotland.

She was the only monarch most Britons have ever known, and she belonged to an almost-vanished generation who fought in the Second World War.

The coronation of Prince Charles, a 73-year-old son of Queen Elizabeth, might not take place for months. It is not yet known if he will be referred to as King Charles III or something else.

Upon her death, BBC played "God Save the Queen" over a photo of her in full regalia, and Buckingham Palace's flag was lowered to half-staff.

In a statement, New British King Charles said

“a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” adding: “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”

As the country's head of state, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saluted the monarch for her "wisdom, compassion and warmth." Likewise, in India, once the "jewel in the crown" of the British empire, Prime Minister Modi commended her "courage, dignity and strength."

8 September 2022