After hours of being in critical medical condition, Queen Elizabeth has died at the age of 96. Buckingham Palace announced that the queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland late Thursday. Having shown signs of decline over the past months and making less and less public appearances, this raised questions about the queen’s  health. The heir to the throne is Prince Charles of Wales, the eldest son of the Queen and her late husband, Prince Phillip.

Her death marks the end of an era that lasted over 70 years since WWII. She took the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, and oversaw a period of time that marked the end off British colonialism. The late queen’s funeral is expected to take place in 10 days on Sept. 18 at London’s Westminster Abbey after a national period of mourning. During these 10 days, there is no school and most, if not all work, comes to a halt.

Additionally, Charles of Wales is expected to be crowned king of the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom on Sept. 9 after the Accession Council meets.