On this day in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, marking the end of Britain’s longest-ever reign and sparking an outpouring of grief across the world.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor became queen in 1952 at just 25 years old, and served for more than 70 years until her death aged 96, making her the longest reigning British monarch. She guided the monarchy through dramatic change, from the aftermath of the Second World War to the digital age, and became a global symbol of stability, duty, and service.
Her reign saw 15 British prime ministers, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, and countless milestones, including state visits, jubilees, and the modernisation of the royal family’s public role.
In her first televised Christmas broadcast in 1957, she reflected on what her position meant: “I cannot lead you into battle; I do not give you laws or administer justice; but I can do something else. I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.”
For the Queen, being monarch was never about superiority, but about service. She saw her role as a solemn duty to her people and never neglected it, even in old age. As a young princess, during the Second World War, she trained and served as a mechanic, sparking a lifelong passion for cars that stayed with her until the end of her life. And well into her nineties, she was still working late into the night, carefully reviewing government papers delivered in her iconic red box each day.
Yet behind the formality, she had a quiet sense of humour that endeared her to the public- from her surprise cameo alongside James Bond at the opening of the London 2012 Olympics, to her affectionate wit at public engagements.
Her death brought a profound sense of loss for many in the UK and beyond, closing a chapter on an era defined by her steadfast presence.
Also read: ON THIS DAY: The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (1953)
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