Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

A statement published on the Buckingham Palace website 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.”

The Crown passes immediately to her son and heir Charles, who is now King.

She steered the monarchy through turbulent times, as Britain’s Empire ended and its place in the world fundamentally changed.

The Queen was head of state of the UK and 14 other countries, including Australia, Canada and Jamaica.

She was born a princess but only became heir to the throne after her uncle’s abdication in 1936.

She is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.