Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's Longest Reigning Monarch, Dies At 96

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest reigning monarch, passed away on Thursday evening at Balmoral aged 96.

The official announcement was made by Buckingham Palace saying, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon." The Queen succeeded the throne in 1952 and reigned for 70 years.

The palace also declared a period of mourning after the Queen's demise. This comes after the palace had said on Thursday that the Queen's doctors were concerned for her health and was placed under medical supervision.

Senior members of the Royal family such as Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince William reached Balmoral as the announcement of her ill health was made. Her grandson, Prince William, is also there, while Prince Harry is on his way, BBC reported.

Queen Elizabeth II was coronated as the queen of England on June 2, 1953. She has been the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and has ruled for a little over 70 years. She became queen after the death of her father King George VI.

She will be succeeded by Prince Charles, her eldest son and first in line to the British throne. He will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.