British longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. According to a statement released from Buckingham Palace, "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." - it reads.
The announcement by the palace came hours after the Queen's doctors expressed concerns over her Majesty's health and further recommended she remain under medical supervision. All the Queen's children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after the doctor's concern.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change, spanning from the post-war austerity, transition from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War and the UK's entry into and withdrawal from the European Union. 15 prime ministers also served alongside her, starting with Winston Churchill, born in 1874, and including Liz Truss, born 101 years later in 1975, and appointed by the Queen earlier this week.
At Buckingham Palace in London, crowds awaiting updates on the Queen's condition began crying as they heard of her death. The Union flag on top of the palace was lowered to half-mast at 18:30 BST. With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.
