Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96, Buckingham Palace announces

Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96
Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96 / Stuart C. Wilson/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96, a statement from Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

The long-reigning monarch, who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, passed away at Balmoral with her son, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall by her side.

A statement from Buckingham Palace on the Queen's passing read: "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."

A statement from Charles, who will ascend to the throne as King, read: "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.

The Queen presenting Bobby Moore with the World Cup in 1966
The Queen presenting Bobby Moore with the World Cup in 1966 /

"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 Queen famously presented Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet trophy after England's World Cup win in 1966, sealed by a 4-2 triumph over West Germany at Wembley.