Queen Elizabeth II, whom history will remember as the longest serving monarch, passed away on Thursday - September 8 at the age of 96 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. In what has become global mourning, the heartbreaking news stunned millions across the globe and condolences have been pouring in for the royal family, which is on the other hand, getting ready to embrace the successor.

For the Britons, for the Commonwealth, and for the entire world, everything has happened in a day. Elizabeth was residing at her Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire since July and she has never returned to her official seat, the Buckingham Palace. Due to her ailing health, she was pushed to break the traditions and skipped various meetings as her medicos advised her to rest. 

One of the traditions that the UK witnessed for the first time from its Queen is appointing the new Prime Minister from Balmoral. Usually, such ceremonies as accepting the resignation of a Prime Minister and appointing the successor would be held at Buckingham Palace. However, the recent transition of power was done on the floors of Balmoral where she appointed Liz Truss as the new and her 15th British Prime Minister. 

It was on Tuesday when Truss met the Queen in person ahead of taking the office and she was seen shaking hands with Elizabeth. Sadly, that has become the last picture of Elizabeth. Balmoral was Elizabeth's summer retreat and one of her favourite castles. In the afternoon hours of Thursday, Buckingham Palace released an unusual statement that distressed the millions and sparked a sense of worry that her reign is nearing its end.

The statement read, "Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen's doctors are concerned for her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral." As soon as the statement caught attention, several leaders and commoners immediately responded to it with their wishes and prayers for the Queen for her speedy recovery.

The events that unfolded following the statement have frightened the people and brought a wave of perplexion over the Queen's health. The members of the royal household including Elizabeth's children rushed to Balmoral to be her side and the global spotlight was on the gates of Balmoral and on Buckingham Palace. There remained a desperate feeling among the people to say how she was doing and thousands began gathering near the palace. 

There wasn't an imminent announcement about Elizabeth's health condition and downpours and tears were rampant across the UK. About six hours later, at around 6.30 pm Britain time, it was officially announced that the longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth has died peacefully at Balmoral. It was announced that she died in the afternoon and it appears that the announcement of her demise was decided to be made once all the royal members have reached Balmoral.

In a tweet, the Royal Family wrote, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow." The same was hoarded at the gates of Buckingham Palace and the flags across the country were lowered to half-mast. The air of grieving was all across the UK, on everyone's faces and in households as they were struck by what would be a piece of painful news in their lifetime. 

It was dusk on the east coast when the news of her demise was announced but several leaders including the Australian Prime Minister issued their tribute note to the royal family. Queen Elizabeth was a prominent global face and it's obvious that for generations, the word Queen would imply Elizabeth due to her longevity of reign. Though several European countries have Queens, they weren't as popular as Elizabeth as she was an intimate witness of a massive transformation of an era.

Elizabeth was on the throne for seven decades and she is the only Queen to celebrate the platinum jubilee. Her life travelled through the wave of the second world war, the fight for Indian independence and under her reign, she witnessed the end of the Vietnam war, the fall of the Berlin wall, successful space explorations, shocking terrorist attacks, assassinations of various leaders, women ascending to power, a nuclear disaster, and for the first time in her life, she experienced how a pandemic can impact the world. 

In the midst of personal losses, Elizabeth always stood tall in her role as several Britons say she loved what she was doing, she loved talking to people, and her trait of humility was a vital reason that drove her reign to seven decades. Even two days back, she appointed the new Prime Minister, which showed she never skid for her role. 

Everyone who has seen Elizabeth with Liz Truss would have noticed that the Queen was frailing and the people watching her say that she became weak after losing her husband Philip, who died last year. They were married for seventy years and his demise has hit Elizabeth strongly. She was a powerful woman in the world for over half a century and she ruled 15 countries in the Commonwealth including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, and the Bahamas. 

Notably, Elizabeth was the only monarch who travelled extensively across the world, which is a major reason why the whole world is mourning her death. Several Britons have left garlands before Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle as they remember and pay respect to their Queen, who touched various generations. The scenes and sense were similar in various Commonwealth countries, in the midst of embracing the announcement of a monarchical transition. 

After learning about her demise, several world leaders are expressing their condolences and remembered working with her. Following her father's demise, Elizabeth was crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, aged 27, in front of a TV audience and it was estimated that the ceremony was watched by 20 million people worldwide. Queen Elizabeth has four children, eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren and her demise brought an end to the second Elizabethan era. She is now succeeded by her eldest son, the long-time heir apparent, Prince Charles and who from now be called King Charles III. 

The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022