The Queen of England and the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth, the longest-serving monarch in British history, has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The Queen according to the Royal Family  died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

Her demise marks a watershed moment in the life of the United Kingdom, ending a reign that spanned 70 years.

The Queen’s eldest son, the Prince of Wales, has been named the new monarch, King Charles III.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “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.”