Queen Elizabeth updates: State funeral ends 11 days of ceremonies

Queen Elizabeth was buried with her husband, Prince Philip.

ByMorgan Winsor, Katie Kindelan, Zoe Magee, Julia Jacobo, Meredith Deliso, Nadine El-Bawab, Bill Hutchinson, Emily Shapiro, and Melissa Gaffney
Last Updated: September 19, 2022, 7:52 PM GMT

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II "died peacefully" on Thursday, Sept. 8, at Balmoral Castle, the British royal family's estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. She was 96.

Elizabeth was Britain's longest-reigning monarch. She ascended to the throne in 1952 and, in June, celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years as queen.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Sep 08, 2022, 6:06 PM GMT

UK lowers flags to half-mast as rainbows appear

The U.K. ordered all flags to fly at half-mast in the wake of the queen's death Thursday.

In a bit of fortuitous timing, the rain clouds eased up following the announcement and rainbows appeared over Buckingham Palace.

The Union flag is lowered over Windsor Castle as a rainbow covers the sky on Sept. 8, 2022, in Windsor, England, in honor of Queen Elizabeth following her death.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

A rainbow forms as people gather outside the Buckingham Palace, following a statement from the Palace over concerns for Britain's Queen Elizabeth's health, in London, Sept. 8, 2022.
Toby Melville/Reuters

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also ordered the flags to fly at half-mast over the Capitol in tribute to the monarch, according to her deputy chief of staff.

Sep 08, 2022, 6:02 PM GMT

How the British royal line of succession changes

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, there is a new line of succession to the British throne.

The queen's oldest son, Charles, the Prince of Wales, is now the new king. Members of his direct family -- including his sons, Princes William and Harry -- are now higher in the line of succession.

In general, succession falls to the first-born child of the heir and their children, followed by the next oldest sibling of the heir and their offspring and so on.

Read more about the line of succession here.

Sep 08, 2022, 5:51 PM GMT

What comes next after queen's passing?

With the queen's death come questions about what happens next, as the world has not witnessed a changeover in Britain's monarchy in 70 years.

The U.K. government and the royal family have been planning for years to ensure a smooth transition after the queen's death, and to appropriately honor her history-making reign.

Read more about what might happen in the days to come.

Sep 08, 2022, 5:32 PM GMT

Queen dies at 96

Buckingham Palace announced Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II has died. She was 96.

"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," the palace said in a statement. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

Elizabeth is survived by her three sons, Charles, Prince of Wales; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; her daughter, Anne, Princess Royal; her eight grandchildren, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie; Peter and Zara Phillips; Lady Louise Windsor; and James, Viscount Severn. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren.

Her oldest son, Charles, succeeds her as king. His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is expected to become queen consort, a title that Elizabeth requested at the time of her Platinum Jubilee in June.

Charles's oldest son, William, is now heir apparent to the throne.

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