On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at the age of 96. She passed at Balmoral Castle, her estate in Scottish Highlands, after reigning for 70 years, making her the UK’s longest-serving monarch in history.

“Britain is the great country it is today because of her,” UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said outside Downing Street following the news of the Queen’s passing.

Many other important world leaders, present and former, have spoken out about this tragedy.

“We have lost not just our monarch but the matriarch of our nation, the figure who more than any other brought our country together, kept us in touch with our better nature, personified everything which makes us proud to be British,” former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said.

As monarch, the Queen is automatically granted a state funeral funded by the public. According to BBC News, preparations are currently being made for her funeral to take place on Monday, September 19 in Westminster Abbey. The service is expected to be attended by hundreds of foreign dignitaries, including politicians and royalty.