Her Majesty the Queen has died at her Scottish estate of Balmoral, surrounded by her family.
Buckingham Palace issued a simple statement earlier, which said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Charles, her eldest son, will now lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 commonwealth realms.
In a statement, King Charles paid tribute to his mother, “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.
“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 was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who were later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, on 21 April 1926.
Her father acceded to the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive.
Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest reigning monarch, becoming Queen Regent on 6 February 1952 when he father King George VI died when she was 25 years old.
She was later crowned Queen at her coronation on 2 June 1953.
Her Majesty has celebrated her Silver (1977), Golden (2002), Diamond (2012), and Platinum (2022) jubilees.
On 20 November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, who was later given the title of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip died on 9 April 2021.
Read: “Such a huge role in our nation’s history” local tributes to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
The Queen and Prince Philip had four children. Prince Charles was born in 1948, In 1950, his sister Princess Anne arrived followed by Prince Andrew in 1960 and Prince Edward in 1964.
Bedford visits
The Queen has made several visits to Bedford during her 70-year reign.
On 11 May 1976, The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness, Prince Philip came to Bedford.
After visiting John Bunyan School, the Bunyan Centre, the County Hall, and an old people’s home in Putnoe they came to Bedford Modern School.
Here they planted a commemorative oak tree to mark the opening of the new Bedford Modern School Manton Lane site.
The Ousel, Bedford school’s magazine for former pupils, reported at the time that the Queen and Prince Philip then drove with the Duke and Sir John Howard through the Modern School playing field in an open Land-Rover.
Her route was lined by pupils and staff of the other three Harpur Trust Schools and before taking her final leave she was introduced to four senior monitors.
The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) provided a Guard of Honour, the School Band played the National Anthem.
Earlier that day she also met staff and pupils from the four Harpur Trust schools.
On 21 November 1996, preparations were being made, staff briefed, shoes shined and excitement was growing in the newly decorated corridors of the Cygnet Wing at Bedford Hospital
Read: Bedford Hospital staff remember the day Her Majesty the Queen opened Cygnet Wing
This staff were preparing for a day unlike any other; the day Her Majesty the Queen came to Bedford Hospital.
“I am proud to say I was present on that special day,” said ANC midwife Paula Rose.
“I remember all available staff standing on the landings as she walked up the stairs, she had a big smile and seemed very happy to see us all. It was a day to remember, happy times.”
For many, it was a day they will never forget.
Oseiwa Kwapong, consultant paediatrician, remembers, “There was a real buzz in the air that day, everyone was so happy and proud.
“We were proud to have a new building and we were incredibly honoured to have HM Queen Elizabeth II meet us and officially open it. Such happy memories for all of us involved.”
Her Royal Highness is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
