Queen Elizabeth II dies after seven decades of rule over England

After seven decades as the ruling monarch of England, Queen Elizabeth II died Thursday at the age of 96. She was reportedly surrounded by family at her Scotland retreat at Balmoral Castle, according to a statement released by Buckingham Palace.

Reports surfaced early Tuesday that the queen was under close medical supervision, and family members quickly traveled to her summer residence in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

The queen lived just long enough to formally oversee the changing of power from Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the country’s new leader, Liz Truss.

Some expressed concerns yesterday about the queen’s health as it was the first time during her 70-year reign she appointed a new prime minister outside Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth's 73-year-old eldest son, Charles, immediately became king of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth upon her death.