Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, dies aged 96

Death draws to a close Britain's second Elizabethan era and heralds the reign of her son, King Charles III

Queen Elizabeth dies - latest updates

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, has died aged 96, drawing to a close the country's second Elizabethan era, and heralding the reign of her son, King Charles III.

The monarch, for whom abdication was never an option, died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon two days after undertaking her final public constitutional duty, with the appointment of the 15th prime minister of her 70-year reign.