After 96 years of being a part of the Royal Family, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, formally known as Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on September 8, 2022. 

Following the death of her father, King George VI, Elizabeth assumed the role of the ruling monarch on February 6, 1952. On June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned queen at the age of 25. As well to being the mother of the heir to the throne, she was the grandmother of Princes William and Harry. In her long reign as the longest-serving monarch in British history, she maintained royal traditions while modernizing the monarchy. She had four children, Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Anne, Princess Royal, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

Over the course of her long rule, the Queen had become one of the most loved and respected figures in all of British history. During her illustrious reign, she had traveled more widely than any other monarch, making many historic overseas visits. The Queen became the first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since 1911 (when the entire island was still part of the United Kingdom).

There is no doubt that this is a tragic death not only for the Royal Family but for the entire globe. The news has astonished many students at school. Senior, Jack Kirkpatrick who is of British descent said, “I am extremely heartbroken but excited to see what the upcoming king will do.”

Best wishes to the Royal family and all those affected by this tragedy.