Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral castle in Scotland on Thursday (September 8), the Royal Family confirmed on Twitter. They tweeted, “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 Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
In recent years, the Queen, 96, has suffered a handful of health-related episodes, according to CNN. Those include knee issues in 2003, removing a torn cartilage in her left knee and surgery on her right. Ten years later, the monarch was hospitalized to be treated for gastroenteritis, a common stomach bug. She sprained her back in May of 2021, missing the Remembrance Sunday service in central London. In October of that same year, she spent a night at a hospital while undergoing “preliminary investigations,” the Palace said at the time.
Earlier this year in February, the Queen contracted Covid-19 and suffered mild cold-like symptoms, so she was able to continue with light duties. Since her Covid-19 diagnosis, the Queen has been forced to more regularly cancel or slim down some events. Marking 70 years on the throne, the Queen didn’t attend all of the celebrations for June’s Platinum Jubilee and missed the state opening of Parliament the previous month due to mobility problems.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth. He is the heir apparent to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
See photos of Queen Elizabeth II through the years below:
Queen Elizabeth Receives Outgoing And Incoming PMs At Balmoral
ShareABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Queen Elizabeth II waits in the Drawing Room before receiving newly elected leader of the Conservative party Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle for an audience where she will be invited to become Prime Minister and form a new government on September 6, 2022 in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Queen broke with the tradition of meeting the new prime minister and Buckingham Palace, after needing to remain at Balmoral Castle due to mobility issues. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Visits Thames Hospice
ShareMAIDENHEAD, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Queen Elizabeth II smiles during a visit to officially open the new building at Thames Hospice on July 15, 2022 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Kirsty O'Connor-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Royal Family Visit Scotland – The Queen’s Body Guard For Scotland Reddendo Parade
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 30: Queen Elizabeth II attending the Queen's Body Guard for Scotland (also known as the Royal Company of Archers) Reddendo Parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland on June 30, 2022. Members of the Royal Family are spending a Royal Week in Scotland, carrying out a number of engagements between Monday June 27 and Friday July 01, 2022. (Photo by Jane Barlow/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Royal Family Visit Scotland – Armed Forces Act Of Loyalty Parade
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 28: Queen Elizabeth II attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on June 28, 2022 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Members of the Royal Family are spending a Royal Week in Scotland, carrying out a number of engagements between Monday June 27 and Friday July 01, 2022. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Royal Family Visit Scotland – Ceremony Of The Keys
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 27: Queen Elizabeth II during the traditional Ceremony of the Keys at Holyroodhouse on June 27, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Members of the Royal Family are spending a Royal Week in Scotland, carrying out a number of engagements between Monday June 27 and Friday July 01, 2022. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II – PLatinum Jubilee 2022 – Platinum Jubilee Pageant
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 05: Queen Elizabeth II waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on June 05, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 – Trooping The Colour
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 02: Queen Elizabeth II smiles on the balcony during Trooping The Colour on June 02, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Royals Attend The Chelsea Flower Show 2022
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Queen Elizabeth II visits The Chelsea Flower Show 2022 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on May 23, 2022 in London, England. The Chelsea Flower Show returns to its usual place in the horticultural calendar after being cancelled in 2020 and postponed in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. This year sees the Show celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and also a theme of calm and mindfulness running through the garden designs. (Photo by James Whatling - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Marks Completion Of The Elizabeth Line
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Queen Elizabeth II attends the Elizabeth line's official opening at Paddington Station on May 17, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Royal Windsor Horse Show – Day 2
ShareWINDSOR, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Queen Elizabeth II arrives at The Royal Windsor Horse Show at Home Park on May 13, 2022 in Windsor, England. The Royal Windsor Horse Show, which is said to be the Queen’s favourite annual event, takes place as Her Majesty celebrates 70 years of service. The 4-day event will include the “Gallop Through History” performance, which forms part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
President of Switzerland Meets Queen Elizabeth II
ShareWINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Queen Elizabeth II attends an audience with the President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis (Not pictured) at Windsor Castle on April 28, 2022 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Queen Commemorates 70th Anniversary Of Halcyon Days
ShareWINDSOR, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she arrives to view a display of artefacts from British craftwork company, Halcyon Days, to commemorate the company's 70th anniversary in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, on March 23, 2022 in Windsor, England. The Queen viewed a selection of hand-decorated archive enamelware and fine bone china, including their earliest designs from the 1950s. (Photo Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Queen Hosts A Reception At Sandringham House On The Eve Of Accession Day
ShareKING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Queen Elizabeth II cuts a cake to celebrate the start of the Platinum Jubilee during a reception in the Ballroom of Sandringham House on February 5, 2022 in King's Lynn, England. The Queen came to the throne 70 years ago this Sunday when, on February 6 1952, the ailing King George VI , who had lung cancer, died at Sandringham in the early hours. (Photo Joe Giddens - by WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Records Her Annual Christmas Broadcast
ShareWINDSOR, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on December 23, 2021 in Windsor, England. The photograph on the desk is of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, taken in 2007 at Broadlands, Hampshire, to mark their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. (Photo by Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty Images)
Ascot Races
ShareASCOT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Queen Elizabet II during the Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse on October 16, 2021 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
The Queen, The Prince Of Wales And The Duchess Of Cornwall Attend The Opening Ceremony The Senedd In Cardiff
ShareCARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 14: Queen Elizabeth II attends the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Senedd at The Senedd on October 14, 2021 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Jacob King-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay Launch
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: Queen Elizabeth II attends the launch of The Queen's Baton Relay for Birmingham 2022, the XXII Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on October 07, 2021 in London, England. The Relay will span 294 days, and the Baton will visit all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Commonwealth Games Federation / Birmingham 2022 )
The Queen Visits Edinburgh Climate Change Institute
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 01: Queen Elizabeth II smiles during a visit to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, as part of her traditional trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week on July 1, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Queen And The Princess Royal Visit The Childrens Wood, Glasgow
ShareGLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JUNE 30: Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the Children's Wood Project on June 30, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Children’s Wood Project is a dedicated green space designed to connect local people with nature, raise aspirations and bring the community together through outdoor activities such as gardening, beekeeping and forest schools. The Queen is visiting Scotland for Royal Week between Monday 28th June and Thursday 1st July 2021. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Queen Visits Stirling Castle
ShareSTIRLING, SCOTLAND - JUNE 29: Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she departs after opening the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Museum during a visit to Stirling Castle on June 29, 2021 in Stirling, Scotland. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Queen And The Duke Of Cambridge Attend The Ceremony of the Keys At The Palace of Holyroodhouse
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 28: Queen Elizabeth II as she meets local volunteers and key-workers to thank them for their efforts during the pandemic in the courtyard of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, as part of her traditional trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week on June 28, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The visit marks the first official visit north of the border since the death of her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. (Photo by Jane Barlow - Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth Receives Outgoing And Incoming PMs At Balmoral
ShareABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Queen Elizabeth II waits in the Drawing Room before receiving newly elected leader of the Conservative party Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle for an audience where she will be invited to become Prime Minister and form a new government on September 6, 2022 in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Queen broke with the tradition of meeting the new prime minister and Buckingham Palace, after needing to remain at Balmoral Castle due to mobility issues. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Visits Thames Hospice
ShareMAIDENHEAD, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Queen Elizabeth II smiles during a visit to officially open the new building at Thames Hospice on July 15, 2022 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Kirsty O'Connor-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Royal Family Visit Scotland – The Queen’s Body Guard For Scotland Reddendo Parade
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 30: Queen Elizabeth II attending the Queen's Body Guard for Scotland (also known as the Royal Company of Archers) Reddendo Parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland on June 30, 2022. Members of the Royal Family are spending a Royal Week in Scotland, carrying out a number of engagements between Monday June 27 and Friday July 01, 2022. (Photo by Jane Barlow/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Royal Family Visit Scotland – Armed Forces Act Of Loyalty Parade
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 28: Queen Elizabeth II attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on June 28, 2022 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Members of the Royal Family are spending a Royal Week in Scotland, carrying out a number of engagements between Monday June 27 and Friday July 01, 2022. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Royal Family Visit Scotland – Ceremony Of The Keys
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 27: Queen Elizabeth II during the traditional Ceremony of the Keys at Holyroodhouse on June 27, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Members of the Royal Family are spending a Royal Week in Scotland, carrying out a number of engagements between Monday June 27 and Friday July 01, 2022. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II – PLatinum Jubilee 2022 – Platinum Jubilee Pageant
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 05: Queen Elizabeth II waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on June 05, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 – Trooping The Colour
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 02: Queen Elizabeth II smiles on the balcony during Trooping The Colour on June 02, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Royals Attend The Chelsea Flower Show 2022
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Queen Elizabeth II visits The Chelsea Flower Show 2022 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on May 23, 2022 in London, England. The Chelsea Flower Show returns to its usual place in the horticultural calendar after being cancelled in 2020 and postponed in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. This year sees the Show celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and also a theme of calm and mindfulness running through the garden designs. (Photo by James Whatling - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Marks Completion Of The Elizabeth Line
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Queen Elizabeth II attends the Elizabeth line's official opening at Paddington Station on May 17, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Royal Windsor Horse Show – Day 2
ShareWINDSOR, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Queen Elizabeth II arrives at The Royal Windsor Horse Show at Home Park on May 13, 2022 in Windsor, England. The Royal Windsor Horse Show, which is said to be the Queen’s favourite annual event, takes place as Her Majesty celebrates 70 years of service. The 4-day event will include the “Gallop Through History” performance, which forms part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
President of Switzerland Meets Queen Elizabeth II
ShareWINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Queen Elizabeth II attends an audience with the President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis (Not pictured) at Windsor Castle on April 28, 2022 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Queen Commemorates 70th Anniversary Of Halcyon Days
ShareWINDSOR, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she arrives to view a display of artefacts from British craftwork company, Halcyon Days, to commemorate the company's 70th anniversary in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, on March 23, 2022 in Windsor, England. The Queen viewed a selection of hand-decorated archive enamelware and fine bone china, including their earliest designs from the 1950s. (Photo Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Queen Hosts A Reception At Sandringham House On The Eve Of Accession Day
ShareKING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Queen Elizabeth II cuts a cake to celebrate the start of the Platinum Jubilee during a reception in the Ballroom of Sandringham House on February 5, 2022 in King's Lynn, England. The Queen came to the throne 70 years ago this Sunday when, on February 6 1952, the ailing King George VI , who had lung cancer, died at Sandringham in the early hours. (Photo Joe Giddens - by WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II Records Her Annual Christmas Broadcast
ShareWINDSOR, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on December 23, 2021 in Windsor, England. The photograph on the desk is of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, taken in 2007 at Broadlands, Hampshire, to mark their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. (Photo by Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty Images)
Ascot Races
ShareASCOT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Queen Elizabet II during the Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse on October 16, 2021 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
The Queen, The Prince Of Wales And The Duchess Of Cornwall Attend The Opening Ceremony The Senedd In Cardiff
ShareCARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 14: Queen Elizabeth II attends the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Senedd at The Senedd on October 14, 2021 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Jacob King-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay Launch
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: Queen Elizabeth II attends the launch of The Queen's Baton Relay for Birmingham 2022, the XXII Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on October 07, 2021 in London, England. The Relay will span 294 days, and the Baton will visit all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Commonwealth Games Federation / Birmingham 2022 )
The Queen Visits Edinburgh Climate Change Institute
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 01: Queen Elizabeth II smiles during a visit to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, as part of her traditional trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week on July 1, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Queen And The Princess Royal Visit The Childrens Wood, Glasgow
ShareGLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JUNE 30: Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the Children's Wood Project on June 30, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Children’s Wood Project is a dedicated green space designed to connect local people with nature, raise aspirations and bring the community together through outdoor activities such as gardening, beekeeping and forest schools. The Queen is visiting Scotland for Royal Week between Monday 28th June and Thursday 1st July 2021. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Queen Visits Stirling Castle
ShareSTIRLING, SCOTLAND - JUNE 29: Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she departs after opening the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Museum during a visit to Stirling Castle on June 29, 2021 in Stirling, Scotland. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Queen And The Duke Of Cambridge Attend The Ceremony of the Keys At The Palace of Holyroodhouse
ShareEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 28: Queen Elizabeth II as she meets local volunteers and key-workers to thank them for their efforts during the pandemic in the courtyard of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, as part of her traditional trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week on June 28, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The visit marks the first official visit north of the border since the death of her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. (Photo by Jane Barlow - Pool/Getty Images)
