The Queen has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace has announced.
The monarch passed away at her Balmoral estate in Scotland, the palace said.
In a short statement issued at 6.30pm, 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.”
Charles, who became King on the death of his mother, said: "The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held."
The announcement came after the Queen’s close family - including her four children Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward - had gathered at Balmoral to be with her.
Buckingham Palace had announced earlier on Thursday that she was under medical supervision with doctors concerned for her health.
The monarch had pulled out of a virtual Privy Council on Wednesday, a day after appointing Liz Truss as PM at her home in the Scottish Highlands.
