Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace 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,” the palace said in a statement.
“Flags across the U.K. were lowered to half-mast ahead of a national minute’s silence and the start of an official period of mourning.”
Her eldest son Charles is expected to soon address the nation as king for the first time, with a coronation ceremony taking place at a later date.
