Queen Elizabeth II died at her home in Balmoral, Scotland, at the age of 96, Buckingham Palace reported today Thursday. The deceased held the position of constitutional monarch of the United Kingdom for 70 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Her death, which occurred among her family, is a milestone in the country's history, as it sparked a wave of national emotions and sorrow.

It also comes at a time when the United Kingdom is transitioning from a highly controversial Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to a new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, who assumed office this week. The country faces rising inflation rates and the challenge of the largest war in Europe since 1945.

Elizabeth was born into an empire on which the sun never set and was the last major figure in the country linked to World War II, a harsh and ultimately victorious experience that, for some, still defines the nation.