On Sept. 8, 2022, the Buckingham Palace of the United Kingdom announced that Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96. Queen Elizabeth ruled for 70 years and 214 days, and was the longest-ruling monarch in British history to date, besting the late Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years. 

Born in April of 1926, Queen Elizabeth II accomplished much during her lifetime. In 1945 at the age of 19, she enlisted in the war effort and joined the Women’s Auxiliary Territory Service, and trained as an auto-mechanic. Even after the royal family had expressed their disdain for her joining, Queen Elizabeth II was determined to help protect her country during World War II. 

One of Her Majesty’s most popular endeavors was her affinity for dogs, specifically Corgis. Queen Elizabeth II had been raised with Corgis as pets, and her journey throughout life was accompanied by them. She even bred her own, most descending from lines of the original Corgi her father had gifted her for her eighteenth birthday in 1944. This first Corgi, Susan, has a headstone designed for her by Her Majesty at Sandringham House, one of the royal country houses. 

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the seat of the monarchy of the United Kingdom is now filled by the her eldest son, King Charles III. Many royals in the family have been promoted to higher titles as well, such King Charles’ III son, Prince William Mount-batten Windsor, succeeds to the title of Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the throne. While the modern job of a monarch does not come with all the power that it used to–before England’s parliamentary system was established–Queen Elizabeth II held many accomplishments. She represented a period of modernity and stability for the United Kingdom, and under her rule did the country evolve further into the world. 

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral service will take place Monday, Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey at 11 a.m. The royal family, including William and Harry, Duke of Sussex, have gathered in London during this transitional mourning period. On Sept. 11, the Queen’s coffin traveled to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, until it is to make its journey back to London on Tuesday, Sept. 13.