Queen Elizabeth the Second, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace released a statement shortly after 6.30pm this evening.
It read: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Following her death, her eldest son Charles, now the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as King.
In a statement, His Majesty the King said: “The death of my beloved mother Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
The announcement follows a period of concern for the Queen, who came to the throne in 1952.
Several engagements including a privy council meeting yesterday had been cancelled over health problems.
She was pictured on Tuesday, when she received new Conservative Party Leader Liz Truss and asked her to form a new Administration.
Ms Truss accepted Her Majesty’s offer and was appointed Prime Minister. Then this morning, a statement from Buckingham Palace was released.
It said the Queen was under medical supervision at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. It said at the time she was ‘comfortable and resting’.
Family members then began travelling to Balmoral, including Prince Charles the Prince of Wales, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.