Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, the royal family has announced, plunging the nation into mourning.
Her family gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier on Thursday.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.
With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.
In a statement, 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.”
All the Queen’s children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision.
Her grandson, Prince William, is also there, with his brother, Prince Harry, on his way.
The flags in Downing Street were lowered to half mast at 6.36pm.
A period of national mourning is beginning, as tributes flood in from around the globe, hailing the Queen’s commitment to serving her country and the Commonwealth.
The new King releases a statement
A statement has just been issued by the Royal Family on behalf of Charles, the new King.
He writes: “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.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth and by countless people around the world.
“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”
RIP HRM Regina Elizabeth II
Forever a symbol of kindness, understanding and duty.
You will always be loved and respected all over the Commonwealth for the understanding and welcoming heart you had for people from diverse backgrounds of the world.
Sincerest condolences to the Royal Family, the British people and the entire Commonwealth.
2020vision – You Africans will be crying out loudest as if it your Grandma…the average Joe on the streets of England wont even bother about such news!!
She was keeping you there abroad be thankful. They should force especially you f00Iish immigrants there to mourn the most. Fuseke
Hh has already started with the muzungu anikonde. Praising a family that robbed our continent to enrich their country. Anyway hh is also a thief and was employed by the same neo colonisers to rob us even more. So they are from the same feather.
Our countries in Africa suffer because of this monarchy, that is why we have f00Iish desperate immigrants there like tarino and spaka who are reliant on whlte nations to survive. Anyway rip ba lizzie
Look at this coon………
Sitting in subsidised flat in some imporvirished part of the UK ………
Proudly using the queen’s English to communicate while his backside is full of sh.it………
PRAISING A FAMILY THAT ROB OUR COUNTRY ??? REALLY
OUR AFRICAN POLITICANS LOOT OUR COUNTRIES TO A FAR GREATER EXTENT AND THEY ARE PARAISED SO WHAT THE DIFFERENCE
Spaka – Why respond to the UK based Troll/ Impostor ..its contradicting itself on this thread guaging and looking out for an emotional response.
The truth hurts. It makes you feel better to dream that I am there with you.
I would rather mourn for my late father Robert mugabe
ITS WELL KNOWN THIEVES STICK TOGETHER
SO NO SURPRISE HERE
Waiting for someone to board a plane and travel for the funeral.
Lungu eould have taken his whole cabinet……..and muscians for the party after the funeral
@Spaka, I didn’t mention any names.
May she rest in eternal trouble
@5 Chiza Chirwa
1.3 billion dollars will be used to ferry the entire UPND government to go and mourn the master imperialist enabler ….
The royal family oppressiveness towards Africa was horrifying…Our forefathers suffered too much!