Queen Elizabeth II, the British royal matriarch and world’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at 96 years old.

“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,” the royal family confirmed in a statement at 6 p.m. U.K. time.

Senior members of the royal family are gathered at Balmoral Castle, her residence in Scotland.

The queen recently celebrated an unprecedented Platinum Jubilee, having ruled England for a record period of 70 years.

Her Majesty was a dedicated supporter of her country and people. At the height of the Second World War, Elizabeth II, then just a teen, made strides to boost the country’s morale with periodical radio broadcasts including the BBC’s Children’s Hour. She also later served as a mechanic and truck driver in the women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, making her the first and only female royal to have served in the army. In addition, the queen was a demonstrated champion of gender equality, having helped to pass the Crown Act of 2013, which called for the dissociation of succession from gender, granting female royals equal opportunity to stand in line for the throne.

Her Majesty was adored for her ingenuity and grounded sense of humor. Famously documented playing with her dogs or beaming at the sight of cows, the queen will be missed for her passion for animals, her love of derbies, and her regal calmness amid trying times in modern history.

Compiled Sources