Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth the Second died yesterday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.  She was 96 years old.

Photo by Eddie Mulholland – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Her son Charles, who is now King Charles the Third, said, “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.”

Elizabeth held the throne for 70 years, making her the longest-serving female head of state in history.  She was also the longest-reigning British monarch ever.  She assumed the throne in February of 1952, at the age of 25.

Her coronation in 1953 was televised – at her insistence – and was seen by 277 million people around the world.  Some credit it with making TV a mainstream medium.

Despite being a princess, Elizabeth worked as a mechanic during World War 2.

Besides Charles, she had three other children:  Princess AnnePrince Edward, and the one they don’t talk about anymore, Prince Andrew.

And check this out:  Just an hour before the Queen’s death was announced, there was a DOUBLE RAINBOW over Buckingham Palace. 

So at 73, Charles is finally king. He’ll deliver a televised address today.  His wife Camilla Parker Bowles now carries the official title of Queen Consort.