Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, dies aged 96

TIL Desk/World/London/ Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after reigning for 70 years. She was 96. Her death brings to an end the longest reign in the history of the United Kingdom, and one of the longest reigns by any head of state.

‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,’ Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Thursday. ‘The King and the Queen Consort [Charles and Camilla] will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow [Friday],’ it said.

Her family had been gathering at her Scottish estate in Aberdeenshire after concerns grew about her health earlier on Thursday. The UK now has a new monarch in 73-year-old Charles, the former Prince of Wales. The new King will officially be known as King Charles III, it has been officially confirmed.

He is the oldest and longest-serving heir-apparent in British history. He will be the oldest person to become King in British history. ‘The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,’ Charles, the new King, said in a statement released by the Royal Family. ‘We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother,’ Charles said.