Home   Kent   News   Article

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace confirms

Buckingham Palace has confirmed the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

The monarch, who had been on the throne for 70 years, died today at the age of 96.

Her Majesty The Queen has died. Picture: Andy Jones
Her Majesty The Queen has died. Picture: Andy Jones

Her children had rushed to be by her side at Balmoral after she was put under medical supervision, with doctors concerned for her health.

They were joined by the Queen's grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Harry.

The nation’s longest-reigning monarch had been suffering from ongoing mobility issues and used a walking stick during Tuesday's historic audience with new Prime Minister Liz Truss.

The Queen would usually appoint prime ministers from Buckingham Palace or sometimes Windsor Castle, but this week's event took place at Balmoral.

The Queen in the Drawing Room before receiving Liz Truss for an audience at Balmoral, Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) (59179528)
The Queen in the Drawing Room before receiving Liz Truss for an audience at Balmoral, Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) (59179528)

Her Majesty, who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this year, was on her traditional summer break in the Scottish Highlands, but has faced health issues since last autumn.

In recent times she used a walking stick, but rallied to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony for her Jubilee.

Following her death, the country will now enter a period of national mourning.

Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor in Mayfair in 1926, Her Majesty came to the throne in 1952 aged just 25 following the death of her father King George VI.

Her 70-year reign made her the longest-reigning British monarch and the longest-serving female head of state.

When she was born on April 21, 1926, she was third in line to the throne and was not expected to become Queen.

But 10 years later in December 1936 her uncle - King Edward VIII - abdicated and her father took to the throne.

She spent her early years at 145 Picadilly in London and at White Lodge in Richmond Park.

New Queen: Princess Elizabeth official portrait
New Queen: Princess Elizabeth official portrait

She married the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip in 1947. He died in April last year.

They had four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

During her reign Her Majesty visited Kent on several occasoins.

Most recently she opened the luxury care facility in Aylesford ahead of Remembrance Day in 2019.

In 2016 she visited the Royal Engineers at Brompton Barracks in Gillingham and in 2015 she visited Canterbury Cathedral. On this visit she opened The Wing - a tribute to the Battle of Britain pilots at Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone.

In 2013, she visited the Howe Barracks in Canterbury to mark the departure of the Sutherland Highlanders. She had previously visited the barracks in November, 2004, to bestow an Operational Service Medal to Lance Corporal Gary Smith.

In 2011, she came twice, visiting Invicta Park Barracks in Maidstone where she met Gurkhas from 36 Engineer and later called at the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate.

On October 30, 1991, the Queen officially opened the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge which connects Essex to Kent.

Dartford bridge opening by the Queen
Dartford bridge opening by the Queen

In 1989, she attended the Kent County Show in Detling, travelling by Royal train from Bearsted.

Before her coronation as Princess Elizabeth she toured Maidstone Zoo in November 1946 and visited the Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake Carriage Museum in the County Town.

Details of her funeral are yet to be announced.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More