Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, the monarch’s eldest son, assumed the throne.
Queen Elizabeth passed away on Thursday afternoon at the age of 96 after battling an undisclosed illness.
Her passing was reported on Thursday by the official residence of the English monarch, Buckingham Palace.
She was the longest-serving monarch in British history.
Charles, in a statement issued on his behalf by the Royal Family said the Queen’s death was saddened.
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth and by countless people around the world.
“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held,” he said.
According to centuries of protocol, Charles, 73, will succeed her as king immediately, ushering in a new, less certain chapter for the royal family after the queen’s record-breaking 70-year reign.
In Britain’s Parliamentary system of government, the king or queen is the head of government; however, his or her position is largely ceremonial, as he or she is not involved in the day-to-day running of the country’s affairs.