JTFMax:

The world feared sentence has become a reality: Queen Elizabeth II is dead. The Queen of England died at the age of 96. The Palace announced the news today at 6:32 p.m.  She died in the presence of her family and medical team at her country estate, Balmoral Castle.

The Palace has officially announced: The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral tonight. Prince Charles is now king. He will remain at Balmoral today and return to London tomorrow.

Heir to the throne Prince Charles (73) with his Camilla (75), grandson Prince William (40), and the Queen's children all traveled to her on Thursday evening. Prince Harry (38), still in England, rushed to her. But he came too late. He arrived at his grandmother's deathbed an hour and a half after the Queen's death was announced by the Palace.

At the end of her anniversary celebrations, the Queen walked the few meters again onto the palace balcony and showed her gratitude to the people and the whole world on June 5, 2022

The death of the Queen also means the breaking of a constant. She sat on the throne for 70 years, and millions only know Elizabeth II as Queen of England. But, from NOW, everything is different. A new age begins.

The great constants of her reign: serenity and optimism. And the gnashing of teeth when she had to cancel appointments because of her health – more and more often lately.

In October 2021, the Queen spent a night in hospital, the exact cause of which was never disclosed. After that, she repeatedly canceled events and only rarely appeared in public.

The monarch was considered a "tough patient" by her personal physicians, but she listened to them, albeit "extremely reluctantly," as was often heard from palace circles. She also didn't like to follow the advice to take it easy and rest.

For her last big party, Elizabeth gathered all her strength in June: the whole country was in a state of emergency for her birthday and jubilee. Nevertheless, everyone celebrated their Queen - the Queen looked at her people in awe.

Besides the Queen, 17 other royals were allowed onto the balcony at the June celebrations! The guest list reads as follows: (from left) The Duke of Gloucester, The Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, The Duke of Kent, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Princess Anne, Duchess Camilla, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Louis, Duchess Kate, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, James, Viscount Severn, Lady Louise Windsor, and Prince Edward.

The great Queen even took her last public appointment on Tuesday (September 6) at Balmoral Castle. She appointed Liz Truss as the new prime minister after receiving Boris Johnson, who was handing in his resignation.

On Wednesday, the Queen had to cancel her participation in a virtual meeting of her Privy Council.

Her last significant milestone was those celebrations in early June that meant the world to her. Also because she got the divided family back to one table. Favorite grandson Harry and wife Meghan traveled from America, bringing their two children, Archie (3) and Lilibeth (1).

Harry and Meghan traveled back to England in June. It was Meghan's first visit to the Royals in around two years.

The Queen finally met her youngest great-granddaughter. It was at Windsor Castle that she met Lilibet, who was nicknamed after her, for the very first time. An indeed touching, beautiful, and intensely private experience.

Lilibet Diana, Harry and Meghan's daughter, on her first birthday. She spent it with great-grandmother Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, among other things.

Bravely and gracefully, the Queen then showed up for the "Trooping the Colors" parade on the palace balcony, surrounded by her family - at least the part still involved as "working royals." Leaning on her cane, sunglasses on, she beamed in a powder blue outfit with pearl detailing.

The warm scene on the balcony in early June 2022: The Queen in conversation with great-grandson Prince Louis.

And softened the hearts of ALL fans when she casually engaged her great-grandson, Quengelbacke Prince Louis (4), in a conversation. He then briefly stopped with his funny faxes to listen to the words of his great-grandmother.

This photo went around the world! April 17, 2021: The Queen sits alone in her seat in St George's Chapel at the funeral service shortly after Philip's death

When the Queen did not appear a day later at the highlight of the 70th anniversary of the throne - the thanksgiving service in St. Paul's Cathedral - one could hardly avoid the thought: There will never be anyone like her again!

Her biggest fear was the wheelchair.

One who keeps her country and her family in check. And whose greatest private fear was the wheelchair. This is why Elizabeth II appeared less and less in public appearances. The proud 96-year-old would rather cancel events than show her people weak.

"I know she was spoken to several times about using a wheelchair," a palace insider told this year. "That's out of the question for her."

According to the "Daily Mail," proud Elizabeth also did not want photos like those of her late sister Princess Margaret († 71) to be taken when she was in a wheelchair after a severe stroke. The images followed the Queen to the end.

And: Her husband, Prince Philip († 99), also vehemently rejected a wheelchair until his death in April 2021. Elizabeth is now reunited with her Philip - and forever.

On November 20, 1947, Elizabeth and Philip were married - and remained inseparable until his death on April 9, 2021

The Queen and her great love Philip († 99)

Even books are not enough to write about their love for Prince Philip. He was her true love from the moment she first saw him. She was 13 at the time, and he was 18. He was the person in the world she looked up to. She was the highest authority in the UK. He was their supreme authority.

It's no surprise that she would soon succeed him after his passing. It was more of a surprise that she could endure it so long without him. So unlike her almost as significant predecessor as Queen, Queen Victoria, she did not retire into rigid mourning for the rest of her life after the death of her husband.

But just a few weeks after his death, she wore colorful clothes and was cheerful and brave even at public appearances.

In private, she showed her sadness. As a public official, she felt her duty to exude confidence and composure. But she also listened to her husband because how strong and proud Elizabeth has been in the year since his death has something to do with him.

June 11, 2021: The Queen smiles and wears a pretty floral print dress on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Cornwall, two months after Prince Philip's death.

Because the couple made a pact during their lifetime: whoever stays behind after the death of the other should not mourn for too long. But enjoy the rest of his life.