Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, Buckingham Palace confirms

Queen Elizabeth II has died at Balmoral where her children and several other key royals had arrived to be with her

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Queen montage as the queen passes away aged 96
(Image credit: Chris Jackson via WPA Pool/Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images/Future)

Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96 after 70 years on the throne and having surpassed Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest reigning monarch. 

  • Queen Elizabeth II has passed away hours after Buckingham Palace confirmed that she was “under medical supervision” at Balmoral Castle. 
  • Her Majesty’s passing was announced in a Buckingham Palace statement on September 8, as tributes flood in for the truly remarkable monarch.
  • Her death comes just three months after the monarch celebrated her Platinum Jubilee.

Queen Elizabeth II has passed away at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, aged 96. Her death comes just three months after the monarch celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, marking what was her milestone 70th year of her already extraordinary reign. 

The official statement from Buckingham Palace declared, "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 announcement came just hours after Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Queen was under medical supervision following concern from medical professionals. In the hours following, senior members of the Royal Family travelled to her Aberdeenshire home where the monarch had been spending her annual summer break. 

This included Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Anne, whilst Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Prince William and Sophie, Countess of Wessex are understood to have landed at Aberdeen airport this afternoon and arrived at Balmoral shortly afterwards. 

Prince Harry is believed to be currently on his way to Balmoral to join his family, having been due to attend the WellChild Awards with the Duchess of Sussex this evening. 

Queen Elizabeth is shown in a royal command portrait

(Image credit: Bettmann via Getty)

Prince Charles will lead the country in mourning Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the Royal Family will enter into a 10-day  period of official mourning. 

Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952 and throughout her reign, her commitment to her royal duties and to the UK and the Commonwealth of Nations has been a source of inspiration to many across the world. Earlier this year the Queen marked her Platinum Jubilee, making her the first British monarch to give 70 years of service. 

Queen Elizabeth II watches from the balcony at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony

(Image credit: Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

This extraordinary milestone was paid tribute to across the Platinum Jubilee weekend, which also saw Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George as Her Majesty’s three direct heirs standing proudly alongside her and supporting her.  

On September 9th, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are set to return to the capital as they and people across the world reflect on the astonishing legacy and life of one of the most historic British monarchs ever to reign. 

Emma Shacklock
Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with nine years of experience in publishing. She specialises in writing about the British Royal Family, covering everything from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her extensive royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!