Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully overnight at age 96, bringing an end to her 70-year reign on the throne.
Her death was announced at 6.30pm London time (3.30am AEST), with Buckingham Palace releasing a statement saying: “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.”
Her eldest son, Charles, has become King and will be known as King Charles III. His wife Camilla will be the Queen Consort.
As Britain’s longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952 at age 25, appointing 15 UK prime ministers during her reign, including new prime minister Liz Truss just a matter of days ago.
She died just 17 months after her husband, Prince Phillip.
There will be a state funeral in 10 days at Westminster Abbey.
Tributes are flowing
Tributes have been flooding social media following the news of her death, with world leaders expressing their condolences to the royal family, and offering kind words of their memories with Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 8, 2022
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a televised address on Friday morning, and is expected to travel to London in the coming days.
“Her majesty celebrated our good times and she stood with us during trials and hardships, happy and glorious,” Albanese said.
“In particular we recall the sympathy and personal kindness she extended to Australians afflicted by tragedy and disaster from floods and bushfires.”
“This time of mourning will pass but the deep respect and warmth regarding which Australians have always held for Her Majesty will never fade.”
Many others on social media have been posting their tributes to the Queen, including this anecdote from a former Royal policeman that highlights her sense of humour, a quality many have remarked on in the wake of her passing.