The Queen died peacefully on the afternoon of Sept. 8, the Royal Family announced on its social media accounts.
Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952, on the death of her father, King George VI. She oversaw the last throes of the British empire, weathered global upheaval and domestic scandal (including situations involving her son Prince Andrew) and dramatically modernized the monarchy, CNN noted.
She died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after doctors said they had become concerned about her health. Following the Duke of Edinburgh's (husband Prince Philip's) death in April 2021, she resumed her royal duties with typical steadfastness.
Elizabeth ruled over the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms, and became one of the most recognizable women ever to have lived.
Her son Charles, who is now king, will return to London on Friday, Sept. 9. The queen's other children include the aforementioned Andrew as well as Princess Anne and Prince Edward.
According to PinkNews, the queen was on the throne when homosexuality was partially decriminalized in 1967, when civil partnership and equal marriage were legislated, and when the Gender Recognition Act was passed. However, with some of the Commonwealth realms, the legacy of colonialism can still be felt in many of the anti-LGBTQ+ laws found around the world.