Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Has died at 96

Buckingham Palace has announced Queen Elizabeth II has died at age 96. She was born in 1926, and became the longest-ruling monarchy to serve the Crown.

According to the BBC, 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.”