UK’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, died at Balmoral aged 96, as per an announcement issued by Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s reign had spanned 70 years prior to her passing today. It is known that her family gathered at her Scottish estate following concerns about her health earlier on Thursday.

As per a BBC report, her eldest son Charles – who is also the former Prince of Wales – will lead the country in mourning as “the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms”.

The Queen came to the throne in 1952 – a period that was succeeded by economic prosperity and stability.

Her tenure spanned post-war austerity, the transition from an empire to a Commonwealth, the conclusion of the Cold War, the UK’s entry and (subsequent) exit from the European Union (EU), and the COVID-19 pandemic (for which the late Queen had issued a personal video statement).

The Buckingham statement Palace 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.”

The New York Times was quoted as referring to the late Queen as “a beacon of stability”.

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. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022