QUEEN ELIZABETH II,
1926-2022

Queen Elizabeth II, England’s longest-serving monarch, has died at her beloved Balmoral Castle. She was 96.

Elizabeth Windsor assumed the throne in 1952 and, as has been remarked elsewhere, most Britons have known no other monarch. She will be succeeded by her son Charles, Prince of Wales, who at 73 becomes the oldest British monarch ever crowned.

Her reign coincided with the end of the U.K.’s imperial power; in the course of overseeing the country’s transition to a new place in the world, Elizabeth interacted with 15 prime ministers—from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, whom she appointed just last week—and every U.S. president since Harry Truman.

The Queen was also a prominent figure in popular culture, hosting The Beatles at Buckingham Palace in 1965 (where they received MBEs and John Lennon famously suggested the attendees “rattle your jewelry”) and conferring knighthoods on such major music figures as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Mick Jagger and Bob Geldof. In the dawning days of punk, The Sex Pistols scandalized Blighty with their acerbic hit “God Save the Queen.”

Her biography (with some adjustments for drama) figured prominently in the smash TV series The Crown, driving new worldwide interest in Elizabeth and the monarchy—an institution that has fallen into some disfavor in the last few decades.

But nothing can surpass the scope and depth of her actual life. Indeed, one of the most historically significant figures in modern world history has left the stage. God save the Queen.

God bless Queen Elizabeth II
May she rest in peace
Long live The King

Paul McCartney pic.twitter.com/fK9wXqkAsa

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) September 8, 2022

For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there. In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the Royal family. pic.twitter.com/3JLILZDKwK

— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) September 8, 2022

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— The Beatles (@thebeatles) September 8, 2022

The occasions I had the honour of being in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II, her energy, compassion and aura had a most singular brilliance. I was, and am, in awe. My deepest condolences to family and friends. Rest in Peace.

— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) September 8, 2022

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— Elton John (@eltonofficial) September 8, 2022