Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, has died in Balmoral, aged 96, after 70 years in power.
After the Queen’s condition worsened on Thursday, her family gathered at the Balmoral estate in Scotland.
The queen, who came to the throne in 1952, saw tremendous social change in her lifetime.
With his death, his eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will become the new king and head of the 14 Commonwealth nations, leading the country through a period of mourning.
“The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and his wife, the Queen, will be staying at Balmoral this evening. They will return to London tomorrow,” Buckingham Palace said in a press release.
Her children all traveled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, while doctors placed the Queen under medical observation.
The Queen’s grandson, Prince William, is also there. Her brother, Prince Harry, is visiting.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tenure as head of state took place during post-war austerity. It includes the country’s transition from Empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War, Britain’s accession to and departure from the European Union.
The Queen’s reign has seen 15 prime ministers, starting with Winston Churchill, born in 1874, and ending 101 years later with the appointment of Liz Truss, born in 1975, as the new prime minister this week.
He held weekly meetings with his Prime Minister throughout his tenure.
At Buckingham Palace in London, people waiting for updates on the Queen’s health began to cry when they heard of her death. The Union Flag on top of the Palace was lowered to half-mast at 6.30pm UK time.
Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on 21 April 1926 in Mayfair, London.