Queen Elizabeth II’s death certificate confirms Britain’s longest reigning monarch died of old age.
The certificate, published by National Records of Scotland Thursday, records that Elizabeth died Sept. 8 at 3.10 p.m. The document was signed by the queen’s daughter, Princess Anne.
The confirmation comes days after the royal period of mourning ended which included flags being flown at half mast and the royal residences and private estates being closed.
The queen died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96. The palace issued a black-bordered statement about 6.30 p.m. local time that day, saying she “died peacefully.” Her 73-year-old son, and heir to the throne, King Charles III, immediately became king upon her death.
Queen Elizabeth remained active for a long time despite her old age but in recent months her health declined. She struggled with mobility issues, causing her to skip events and postpone meetings at the suggestion of her doctors.
The news of her death came a day after the queen postponed a meeting of senior governmental advisers known as the Privy Council. A few days prior, she decided to skip the Braemar Gathering, a popular Highland Games event she loves and attends every year.
Before the queen’s funeral Sept. 19 the late sovereign’s remains lied in state at Westminster Hall for four days to allow the public to pay their respects. The opportunity drove thousands to stand in a nearly five-mile line to see, who was to many, the only royal leader they’ve known.
