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A sign is placed on the Buckingham Palace gates, notifying the public of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
A sign is placed on the Buckingham Palace gates, notifying the public of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
A sign is placed on the Buckingham Palace gates, notifying the public of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Death of the Queen: what we know

This article is more than 1 year old

Queen Elizabeth II has died, aged 96, at Balmoral Castle

Queen Elizabeth dies - latest updates

  • The Queen has died at the age of 96 surrounded by her family at Balmoral.

  • 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.”

  • The Prince of Wales is now king, though his official coronation will not take place for some time. It is expected Charles will hold his first audience with the prime minister some time today.

  • The Queen’s funeral will, according to tradition, be a state funeral, a rare honour mostly reserved for the sovereign.

  • Flags on royal palaces have been lowered to half mast to mark the monarch’s passing.

  • Her four children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, were with her at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire.

  • Prince William travelled to Balmoral. The Duchess of Cambridge has remained in Windsor as Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are in school.

  • Prince Harry, who was coincidentally in the UK, was also travelling to Scotland. His wife, the Duchess of Sussex, is remaining in London but will not attend the WellChild awards event as originally planned.

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