Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch and Jamaica’s Head of State, has died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
Her family gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier on Thursday, the BBC reported.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.
Her eldest son, Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will now assume the title as King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.
He will lead the country and wider Commonwealth in mourning.
Buckingham Palace, in a statement, said: “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.”
