Buckingham Palace has announced that Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch, whose rule spanned seven decades, has died.
The queen died on Thursday at the age of 96. Queen Elizabeth II ascended her throne in 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI.
She died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after doctors said they had become concerned about her health on Thursday.
Elizabeth reigned over the UK and 14 other Commonwealth realms, and became one of the most recognizable women ever to have lived. Her son, Charles, immediately became King upon her demise.
