The reign of Queen Elizabeth II comes to an end
Queen Elizabeth II of England died on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The Queen’s title will now be passed on to her eldest son, previously known as Prince Charles of Wales, but with a current title of King Charles III.
Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1953, ruling from the age of 25 to the age of 96, just over 70 years, making her the longest reigning monarch in British history. It is unlikely that any following monarch will rule for that long.
She was a mother of four, grandmother of eight and great grandmother of four. She was preceded in death by her husband Prince Philip, to whom she was married to for 73 years. He passed only a year prior on April 9, 2021.
With her death, the national currency in England will be withdrawn and changed, the national anthem will become “God Save The King”, and her previous title of head of the Commonwealth will need to be passed on to a successor who will be chosen by the leaders of the Commonwealth.
As queen, Elizabeth took charge of opening every new session of Parliament, granting royal assent to legislation and approving orders and proclamations through the Privy Council, a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign of the foreign kingdom. The Privy Council helps enact powers within Parliament.
The Queen had met all of the 14 most recent presidents except for Lyndon Johnson, missed only two Parliament meetings in her 70 years on the throne, and maintained a good relationship with the United States throughout her rule.
The funeral took place on Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey in Central London, being the first royal funeral there since the 18th century. She will be laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel alongside her husband and parents.
Over 100 world leaders were in attendance. Also in attendance were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, two years after their controversial step-back from the royal family. Following her casket were the Queen’s four children, King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. Queen Elizabeth’s death will bring on change and challenge for the country, and it may just be the beginning of the end of the monarchy, and the start of a new time.
