Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has passed away at the age of 96, with leaders from around the world, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, offering their condolences.

The monarch’s family rushed to her bedside this afternoon after it was announced she had been placed under close medical supervision – however, hours after the news broke, Buckingham Palace issued the following formal statement:

“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.”

Queen Elizabeth was Britain’s longest serving monarch, having reigned since 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI. Through some of England’s bleakest points in history, many have viewed her, and the crown itself, as a symbol of stability and patriotism.

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During her 70-year reign, the Queen had many Prime Ministers serve under her, including Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

The Queen had been suffering from “episodic mobility problems” since the end of last year, according to Buckingham Palace officials, who released the following statement earlier today, before the Queen’s passing:

“Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.”

Rumour and speculation ran wild on social media throughout the day following the announcement of the Queen’s ill-health, and BBC presenters were spotted donning black ties during their on-air news reports.

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Just yesterday, the Queen received former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who tendered his resignation inside the Queen’s Scotland residence, Balmoral Castle. The Queen has been residing at Balmoral, rather than her traditional home, Buckingham Palace, since the death of her late Husband, Prince Philip – but also due to her declining health.

Reflecting the United Kingdom’s support for Ukraine, on Independence Day the Queen wrote a personal note for Ukrainians:

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“It gives me great pleasure to send Your Excellency and the people of Ukraine my warmest greetings on the celebration of your Independence Day.

In this most challenging year, I hope that today will be a time for the Ukrainian people, both in Ukraine and around the world, to celebrate their culture, history and identity. May we look to better times in the future.”

The crown has now automatically passed to her eldest son, Charles, who, according to tradition, will be coronated in Westminster Abbey.

King Charles III said the death of his mother was a “moment of great sadness,” with an official statement from the new King being made shortly after her passing.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother” he said. “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”

King Charles will lead the United Kingdom in mourning, along with 14 Commonwealth realms, over a period of ten days, and said that he and his family would be “comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held”.

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Reacting to the Queen’s passing, President Zelensky, who was recently presented by Boris Johnson with a signed biography about the Queen, wrote on Twitter: “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, we extend sincere condolences to the Royal Family, the entire United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”

From Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: “It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.”

Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid a heartfelt tribute to the well-respected monarch, writing in his official statement that the Queen’s death had left a “void” and was “our country’s saddest day”.

“As is so natural with human beings, it is only when we face the reality of our loss that we truly understand what has gone,” he said.

“It is only really now that we grasp how much she meant for us, how much she did for us, how much she loved us.

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“As we think of the void she leaves, we understand the vital role she played, selflessly and calmly embodying the continuity and unity of our country.

“We think of her deep wisdom, and historic understanding, and her seemingly inexhaustible but understated sense of duty.

“Relentless though her diary must have felt, she never once let it show, and to tens of thousands of events – great and small – she brought her smile and her warmth and her gentle humour – and for an unrivalled 70 years she spread that magic around her kingdom.

“This is our country’s saddest day because she had a unique and simple power to make us happy. That is why we loved her.

“That is why we grieve for Elizabeth the Great, the longest serving and in many ways the finest monarch in our history.”

Mr Johnson said the Queen had “modernised the constitutional monarchy” and “produced an heir to the throne who will amply do justice to her legacy”.

“Though our voices may still be choked with sadness, we can say with confidence the words not heard in this country for more than seven decades: God save the King.”

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