Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most iconic figures in modern history, reigned for more than 70 years before her peaceful passing in September 2022. Surrounded by her family at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, she left a legacy of duty, resilience, and grace. While the official announcement of her death came at 6:30 p.m., Buckingham Palace later revealed that she had passed at 3:10 p.m., marking the end of an extraordinary era.
For decades, Queen Elizabeth had been a constant presence in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. Her reign spanned 15 prime ministers—from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss—witnessing immense social, political, and cultural change. Following her passing, her eldest son, Charles, ascended as King of the United Kingdom and the 14 Commonwealth realms, expressing the profound loss felt by the family and the nation:
“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,” he said. “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.”
The Health Struggle Behind the Scenes
While the Queen’s passing was initially announced without details on her health, later reports confirmed that she had been battling myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson recounted in his memoir that he was aware of her diagnosis, noting that doctors had been concerned about potential sharp declines in her health. Royal reporters and biographers later described how frail she had become, experiencing vision challenges and even struggling with everyday tasks such as lifting a teapot.
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