Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The monarch, who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, died at Balmoral on Thursday, September 8. 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 tragic event inevitably means that ceremonial planning will begin immediately.
Plans have been in place in the case of the Queen's death for many years and every aspect of the process is rigorously covered, including the funeral process.
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom's longest ruling monarch, dies aged 96 - latest updates
The Lord Chamberlain is the figure responsible for planning all ceremonial activities including senior royals, such as their funerals. The current Lord Chamberlain, Baron Parker of Minsmere, will be responsible for overseeing the arrangements following the Queen's death while making sure everything is kept to a strict timetable.
Officially, a state funeral is to be held at Westminster Abbey 10 days following the Queen's death. The service will include a military procession to move the lead-lined coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster five days prior to the funeral.
Following this, the coffin will rest at Westminster Hall, allowing members of the public to visit. Once the funeral has been carried out, the Queen will be buried at the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle, alongside her late husband Prince Philip.
