On the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom passed away, ending the longest reign of a monarch in the history of the British monarchy at 70 years and seven months. She was 96 years old.

The announcement was made by the Royal Family through social media.

“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” read the update on Twitter and on the Royal Family website.

Her death comes hours after an earlier announcement on Thursday from the Royal Family that her doctors had grown increasingly concerned with her condition, and that she was “under medical supervision.”

Immediately following the announcement of her death, a crowd began to gather outside Buckingham Palace to pay tribute to the deceased monarch, who had been on light duties for the family ever since contracting COVID-19 in February 2022.

Elizabeth II was born in Mayfair, London in 1926 as the child of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. She succeeded her father on the throne upon his death on Feb. 6, 1952. Her coronation was a year later on June 2, 1953.

Because of its length, Elizabeth II’s reign saw almost the entirety of what the world now considers modern history, post World War II. She saw the Cold War and all its manipulations, the Gulf Wars, the War on Terror, and now the war on COVID-19 and disinformation, which has marked a new era of the Digital Age, which she also saw the beginning of.

She had four children with Prince Phillip, who died in 2021 at the age of 99. They were Charles — who is now the King of the United Kingdom — Anne, Princess Royal, Andrew, and Edward. All members of the family, including Charles’ children William (now second in line for the throne) and Harry, are said to be on their way to London to be with their family.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” said Charles in a statement. “During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”

Prime Minister Liz Truss, who just took the office of Prime Minister two days ago on Sept. 6, called the Queen “the very spirit of Great Britain.”

“And that spirit will endure,” Truss continued.

Leaders across the world also began sending their condolences to the Royal Family.

U.S. President Joe Biden, while not releasing an official statement yet, released through a spokesperson that his thoughts and prayers were with the Queen’s family.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “it was with the heaviest of hearts” that Canada learned of Elizabeth II’s death.

“As we look back at her life and her reign that spanned so many decades, Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion, and warmth,” Trudeau said. “Our thoughts are with the members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time.”