The longest-reigning monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away at the age of 96 in Balmoral.
Responding to growing worries about her health earlier on Thursday, her family gathered at her Scottish estate.
The Queen saw significant societal change upon her accession to the throne in 1952.
With her passing, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will take the throne as the next King and ruler of 14 Commonwealth states, leading the nation in grief.
The UK has been planning for this moment, and a detailed plan named “Operation London Bridge” sets out what would happen next.
In addition to other assets like land and property(ies), Charles, the queen’s eldest son, will also inherit the royal title and the position of head of the Commonwealth upon her passing.
“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 royal family said in a statement.
The King and the Queen Consort will spend this evening and tomorrow in Balmoral before flying back to London.
The queen had been preparing for her successor for some years, and Charles has been stepping up to take on more and more royal responsibilities.
