Queen Elizabeth Dies: A Look Back At Her Reign As Charles Becomes King

After 70 years on the British throne, Queen Elizabeth II died Thursday at Balmoral, Buckingham Palace announced. She was 96.

Queen Elizabeth was the longest-reigning British monarch, as well as the oldest and longest-serving incumbent head of state at the time of her death.

Prince Charles has become the King upon the death of his mother, per the British line of succession.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on April 21, 1926, in Mayfair, London to ​​the Duke of York, the second son of King George V. Her mother was the Duchess of York, the youngest daughter of Scottish aristocrat Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne.

Elizabeth, who was called "Lilibet" by close family members, also had a younger sister, Princess Margaret.

After King George V died in 1936, his eldest son Edward III abdicated. Elizabeth's father then ascended the throne as King George VI, which made her heir apparent.

Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952, following her own father's death, with her coronation taking place in 1953.

Queen Elizabeth married her third cousin, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, and the couple had four children-Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward. Phillip died at the age of 99 in April 2021.

Although she faced several political rows and scandals throughout her reign, Elizabeth managed to restore the public's support for the monarchy amid criticisms that the royal family was unrelatable.

Despite her husband's retirement in 2017, Queen Elizabeth continued with her public duties.

Queen Elizabeth, who had been suffering from "episodic mobility problems" since 2021, broke royal tradition on Tuesday, by choosing to remain at her summer home of Balmoral to meet new British Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Buckingham Palace had announced Thursday that the Queen's doctors placed her under medical supervision at Balmoral.

"Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral," the statement read.

Several members of the ​​royal family rushed to Balmoral to gather by her bedside amid the doctors' medical concerns.

Later that day, Buckingham Palace announced her death. "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," the statement read. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

Queen Elizabeth's eldest son, now known as King Charles, released a statement shortly after the announcement of her death.

"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," King Charles said in a statement on Thursday.

"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."

Very little was known about Queen Elizabeth's private life. She was known to love horses and her Corgi dogs. She often drank a gin cocktail before lunch and engaged in crossword puzzles.

Following her death, Queen Elizabeth began trending on Twitter with celebrities, politicians, and fans mourning the monarch.

Queen Elizabeth is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Flags will fly at half-mast as the United Kingdom has a period of national mourning.

King Charles, 73, will be formally proclaimed king in a ceremony.