Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Monarchy

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning British monarch, serving as Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 1952 until her death in 2022.

What it is

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London on 21 April 1926. She became heir presumptive after her uncle Edward VIII abdicated and her father became King George VI. She acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 and was crowned in 1953.

Key details

Her reign of 70 years and 214 days is the longest of any British monarch. She died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September 2022, aged 96, with the cause listed as "old age." She was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles III, and buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Why it matters

As monarch, Elizabeth II was head of state of Canada from 1952 to 2022. Her death marked the accession of Charles III as King of Canada, ending a reign that spanned major constitutional and social changes across the Commonwealth.

In short

  • Reigned 70 years and 214 days, the longest of any British monarch.
  • Died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September 2022, aged 96.
  • Succeeded by her son Charles III.
  • Served as Canada's head of state from 1952 to 2022.
Canadian angle

As monarch, Elizabeth II was head of state of Canada from 1952 to 2022, and her death marked the accession of Charles III as King of Canada.

Quick questions

How old was Queen Elizabeth II when she died?
She was 96 years old.
What was her cause of death?
Her death certificate listed the cause as "old age."
Who succeeded her as monarch?
Her eldest son, Charles, became King Charles III.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II
    Supports: Dates of reign, age at death, successor, burial place, and reign length.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-II
    Supports: Biographical facts, age at death, reign dates, and succession by Charles III.
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886
    Supports: Death at Balmoral, age 96, and length of reign.
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63078676
    Supports: Cause of death listed as old age on the death certificate.
  5. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/queen-elizabeth-died-old-age-death-certificate-shows-2022-09-29/
    Supports: Cause of death listed as old age and death certificate details.