Operation London Bridge
The sad news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing was confirmed yesterday. The Palace announced that the 96-year-old monarch had died peacefully at Balmoral, her beloved summer residence, setting in motion a plan for her funeral known as Operation London Bridge.
The Queen's passing comes just a few months after she celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne, and just a few days after meeting the new UK PM, Liz Truss.
Leaders and notable figures around the world lined up to send tributes and the Queen’s son, now King Charles III, issued a statement mourning his mother, the longest-ruling British monarch in the nation's history.
A 70 year reign, in numbers
All told, over her 25,782 days as monarch, Elizabeth II made 82 state visits, met with 5 popes, owned 40 Welsh Corgi dogs, met 13 US presidents (missing LBJ) and advised 15 different British prime ministers. Her 70-year reign was the second longest of any monarch in history, only behind that of Louis XIV of France who was just 4 years old when he ascended to the throne.
Most British people have only ever known the monarchy with Queen Elizabeth at the helm, with around 80% of the population born after her reign began. With Charles now king, and the next two heirs in the line of succession also male, God Save The Queen may not be sung in Great Britain for a very long time.
