The world's oldest queen, Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, passes away at the age of 96.

 The world's longest-serving queen, Queen Elizabeth II, who witnessed the atrocities of World War II as a teenager and later, as an elderly monarch, the agonies of a lethal pandemic and the personal suffering of her own family's strife, has passed away. She was 96.

Her passing ushers in 10 days of national mourning as per a long-standing scheme known as "Operation London Bridge." Charles succeeded to the throne after her death.

Elizabeth succeeded her father, George VI, as king of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on February 6, 1952, with Prince Philip by her side. She was crowned on June 2, 1953.

Elizabeth became the first queen to rule the United Kingdom for 70 years on February 6, 2022. In June 2022, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth celebrated the anniversary with a Platinum Jubilee.

During the first day of the four-day Platinum Jubilee, the 96-year-old monarch appeared with her family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, waving to the crowds below and watching an aircraft display in her honor. But because of discomfort, she was unable to join later celebrations.

Significant social, economic, technological, and political transformation occurred during Elizabeth's reign. It witnessed the country's entry into and exit from the European Union as well as the change of the once-global British Empire into a Commonwealth of 52 autonomous nations led by the queen. Elizabeth had fifteen prime ministers during her reign, starting with Winston Churchill upon her accession to the throne in 1952 and ending with Liz Truss, who was sworn in by the ailing Queen just two days before her passing.

Elizabeth, the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who succeeded Edward VIII as king and queen in 1937, was born on April 21, 1926. She was the 32nd great-granddaughter of King Alfred the Great, who ruled England from 1871 to 1899.