London – The Queen is dead long live the king. Elizabeth II Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other sovereign countries until her death today.
Her reign of 70 years and seven months, which began on 6 February 1952, was the longest of any British monarch in history.
She made 10 visits to New Zealand 1953-1954, 1963, 1970, 1974, 1977, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1995 and 2002.
A State Memorial Service will be held in New Zealand and Aotearoa’s representation at Her Majesty’s funeral service will be confirmed shortly.
Flags will fly at half mast to mark Her Majesty’s death. Further information about mourning observances will be available on the Governor-General’s website, at www.gg.govt.nz
Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London and her father King George VI acceded to the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive.
She was educated privately at home and began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, and their marriage lasted 73 years until his death in April 2021.
They had four children together: Charles, King of the United Kingdom; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
May she rest in peace.
