On Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II, aged 96, passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Queen Elizabeth II was England’s longest reigning monarch who presided over her country for 70 years.

After the sudden death of her father King George VI, Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952 and bore witness to enormous social changes throughout her reign. The Queen guided England through tumultuous times with an unwavering devotion to her people.

In his first address to his nation, King Charles III encapsulated the emotion felt by Britons toward their much-beloved monarch.

“I pay tribute to my Mother’s memory and I honor her life of service,” the King said. “I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all.”

The King also reaffirmed The Queen’s famous birthday speech promise to her nation — unwavering service and loyalty to the United Kingdom.

“As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.”

Throughout her long reign, the Queen saw the transition of 15 prime ministers, 14 U.S. presidents and six popes. Just days before her passing, The Queen appointed Britain’s newest Prime Minister, Liz Truss.

In a statement, Truss commemorated the life of The Queen and celebrated her legacy as an inspirational and stabilizing force in England.

“We are all devastated by the news we have just heard from Balmoral. The death of Her Majesty The Queen is a huge shock to the nation and to the world,” Truss said. “Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built. Our country has grown and flourished under her reign. Britain is the great country it is today because of her.”

The Queen’s death marks the beginning of a national mourning period for Great Britain with a state funeral scheduled for September 19.

The funeral is expected to be watched by millions worldwide with many world leaders expected to be in attendance –– including President Joe Biden.

President Biden commented on the death of The Queen, noting that she deepened the alliance between the U.S. and U.K. and that she helped to make the relationship between the two countries special.

“The thoughts and prayers of people all across the United States are with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in their grief,” Biden said. “We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are not only mourning their Queen, but their dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world.”

The loss of Queen Elizabeth begins a new era for Great Britain. Most citizens in the country do not remember a time when she was not the reigning monarch.

The Queen’s presence signified stability for England, and her passing will bring change and transition to her family and all Britons in the commonwealth.

“My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love,” Prince William said. “All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen.”