Breaking: Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, has died at the age of 96. Prince Charles, 73, heir to the throne since the age of three, is now king, and will be officially proclaimed so at St James’s Palace in London as soon as practicably possible. 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.” Flags on landmark buildings in Britainwere being lowered to as a period of official mourning was announced. As Queen of the UK and 14 other realms, and head of the 54-nation Commonwealth, Elizabeth II was easily the world’s most recognisable head of state during an extraordinarily long reign. Coming to the throne at the age of 25, she successfully steered the monarchy through decades of turbulent change, with her personal popularity providing ballast during the institution’s more difficult times. Fifteen prime ministers served her, attesting to her deep knowledge, experience of world affairs and mastery of political neutrality. They stretched back to Sir Winston Churchill, who was still prime minister when she assumed the throne, with resolve and far earlier than she had expected, on the premature death of her father, George VI, in 1952. As many nations today mourn a queen, one family is mourning a mother of four, a grandmother of eight, and a great-grandmother of 12. You can follow the latest developments via the link in bio. #queen #queenelizabeth #queenelizabethii #monarchy #uknews #royals #royalnews