BREAKING: Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, dies at 96

Queen Elizabeth II, known as one of the longest reigning monarchs in human history, has died at age 96 after 70 years on the throne and serving as head of the Church of England. "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," stated the official Royal Family Twitter handle on Thursday. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

The news came shortly after Buckingham Palace had announced that the queen was under medical supervision at Balmoral due to health concerns, though they noted that she was comfortable. "Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision," they stated. Earlier this year, Elizabeth II had missed multiple ceremonies, including Easter Sunday worship in April and events tied to her Platinum Jubilee celebration in June, due to health and mobility issues.

Born April 21, 1926 in Mayfair, London, Princess Elizabeth was the first child of King George VI, who ruled from 1936 after his brother King Edward VIII resigned, until his death in 1952. During the Second World War, Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service of the British Army, where she served as a mechanic and rose to the rank of Junior Commander. Before taking the throne, Elizabeth married Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947. The union produced four children and lasted until April 9, 2021, when Philip died at age 99. Queen Elizabeth II had her coronation at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, with the ceremony being overseen by Archbishop of Canterbury Geoffrey Fisher. Read more.