Britain’s Queen Elizabeth dead at 96 after 70 years on throne
- Britain’s King Charles will address a nation in mourning on Friday following the death of his mother
- World leaders pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth, who died at her Scottish home on Thursday at age 96

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Queen Elizabeth dies at the age of 96
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” a statement from Buckingham Palace said on Thursday. “The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
The queen, who began her reign at the age of 25 following her father’s death in 1952, had suffered “episodic mobility issues” in recent months that had limited her public appearances and was briefly sidelined with Covid-19 earlier this year.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much loved Mother,” the king said in a statement. “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
King Charles will address the nation in a broadcast at 6pm UK time on Friday (1am Hong Kong time Saturday).
Queen Elizabeth’s mobility issues caused her to miss the state opening of parliament in May and forced new Prime Minister Liz Truss and outgoing prime minister Boris Johnson to travel to Balmoral Castle in Scotland to meet with her on Tuesday.