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