On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at the age of 96. She was monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while the Commonwealth is made up of independent nations that used to be part of the British Empire. Some of those nations are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica.
As monarch, Queen Elizabeth II served as Head of State for over 70 years. She often met with other world leaders. Her image is used on money and stamps. She oversaw important ceremonies. She was a symbol of British tradition during changing times.
Queen Elizabeth II became queen in 1952. Her coronation [the ceremony in which a new monarch is crowned] was the first to be shown on TV. As queen, she would address the public during both good times and hard times. In 2020, she spoke to the nation about the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She assured people that they would get through the crisis together.
Many people are sad about the loss of Elizabeth II. They are sharing memories about her and celebrating her life. There will be a ten-day period of mourning [a time of expressing sadness after someone has died]. Her son, Charles, has become King Charles III. After the mourning is over, he will have a coronation. People will celebrate him becoming king.
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Photo Credit: TOP: Ian Shaw/Alamy Stock Photo; BOTTOM: Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo
