By MARK LORENZANA

Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, Sept. 8, after 70 years on the throne, giving the United Kingdom its new monarch, her son King Charles III.

Buckingham Palace said that the 96-year-old monarch died at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland. “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

Her son Charles, 73, is now king, taking the name of King Charles III. The queen’s eldest son was in Scotland with his family and is expected to return to London after spending the night in Balmoral. He was the longest-serving Prince of Wales, having held the title from July 1958 until his recent accession.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother,” said Charles 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.”

During her last year of life, the queen was plagued by deteriorating health and used a cane to get around. She also slowly reduced in-person meetings, especially after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in April 2021.