by Thinus Ferreira
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has died this afternoon at Balmoral Castle, 8 September 2022, bringing to a close her iconic and historic 70-year reign. She was 96.
Queen Elizabeth II was surrounded by her children and grand-children as she passed away.
Her son, Prince Charles, who will be known as King Charles III, succeeds her.
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," a statement said.
Queen Elizabeth II was the world's second-longest reigning monarch and in 2015 also became the longest-reigning British sovereign of all time.
British TV news channels like BBC News World and Sky News carried on DStv will have a lot of special programming, documentaries and rolling live coverage over the next few days and weeks, including her British Royal funeral which is expected to be watched live worldwide by millions of people.
BBC World News anchors and reporters already switched to wearing black on Thursday afternoon even before the official announcement was made, and will continue to wear black attire.
"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," Prince Charles III said in a statement from Buckingham Palace.
"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."
Queen Elizabeth II is survived by King Charles III and her other three children - Andrew, Anne and Edward, as well as her grandchildren including Prince William, who is now second in line to the throne, and Prince Harry, who lives in the United States but also flew back to the United Kingdom.
Her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip died in 2021 at 99.
