Queen Elizabeth II, UK's longest-serving Monarch, has died

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has extended condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth. "I extend my sincere condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II and the people of the UK. Her Majesty was a close friend of the UAE and a beloved & respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion & a tireless commitment to serving her country," he tweeted.

Chinese President offers 'sincere sympathies'

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday offered "sincere sympathies to the British government and people" following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. "Xi Jinping, representing the Chinese government and the Chinese people, as well as in his own name, expresses deep condolences," a statement said.

"Her passing is a great loss to the British people." The statement, released on Chinese state media, noted the queen was the first British monarch to visit China and praised the longevity of her reign as the longest-serving monarch in British history. "Xi Jinping stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-UK relations," that statement said, adding he was "willing to work with King Charles III to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples."

Macron salutes Queen Elizabeth II 'a friend of France'

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday hailed Queen Elizabeth II as "a friend of France... who marked her country and her century as never before", following the announcement of her death.

"Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II embodied continuity and unity in the British nation for more than 70 years," the French leader tweeted.

Statement from Buckingham Palace

Sheikh Mohammed pays tribute

"We join the world in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, a global icon who represented the finest qualities of her nation and people," His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has tweeted.

Her incredible lifetime of service and duty to the United Kingdom is unparalleled in our modern world, Sheikh Mohammed added. 

The palace announced she died at Balmoral Castle, her summer residence in Scotland, where members of the royal family had rushed to her side after her health took a turn for the worse.

The 96-year-old queen died peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. All four of her children and her grandson Prince William traveled to Balmoral to be at her side.

The palace says her son Charles, who is now king, and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, will stay at Balmoral overnight and travel to London on Friday.

Britain's longest-reigning monarch, she marked 70 years on the throne this year.

Flag lowered at Buckingham Palace after queen's death: TV images.  Charles succeeds as king immediately.

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history and an icon instantly recognisable to billions of people around the world, has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

Her eldest son, Charles, 73, succeeds as king immediately, according to centuries of protocol, beginning a new, less certain chapter for the royal family after the queen's record-breaking 70-year reign.

EU chief offers 'prayers' for Queen Elizabeth II

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday hailed Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as a symbol of Europe's shared history and offered "thoughts and prayers" for the monarch.

"My thoughts and my prayers are with her. And she represents the whole history of the Europe that is our common home, with our British friends," von der Leyen told a news conference in Rotterdam.

"She has given to all of us in all these years - always - stability, confidence. She has shown an immense amount of courage. She is a legend in my eyes."

White House says Biden's thoughts are with Queen Elizabeth, her family

The White House said on Thursday that President Joe Biden had been briefed about the situation with Britain's ailing Queen Elizabeth and that his thoughts were with her and her family.

"His and the first lady's thoughts are solidly and squarely with the queen today and her family," White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace

Crowds gathered outside Queen Elizabeth II's Buckingham Palace residence in London on Thursday as concern grew over the 96-year-old's health.

Around 100 people braved torrential rain to stand at the palace gates, as senior royals rushed to Balmoral in Scotland, where the queen was being treated by doctors.

Prince Harry going alone, without wife Meghan

Britain's Prince Harry is travelling alone to Scotland, without his wife Meghan, to be with his grandmother Queen Elizabeth, after doctors expressed concern about her health on Thursday, PA Media reported.

Liz Truss has no current plans to travel to Scotland

British Prime Minister Liz Truss has no plans at the moment to travel to Scotland, her spokesman said on Thursday, declining to comment on the situation surrounding Queen Elizabeth after doctors recommended she remain under medical supervision.

Britain's Prince William, other royals arrive in Scotland to be with Queen Elizabeth

British royals including Queen Elizabeth's grandson Prince William and her sons Princes Andrew and Edward have arrived in Scotland by plane to be with the ailing monarch, television footage showed on Thursday.

They will now make their way to Balmoral Castle, around an hour's drive away from Aberdeen Airport where they landed.

All of Queen's children now at her side

All of Queen Elizabeth's four children including daughter Princess Anne and youngest son Prince Edward are now at Balmoral Castle in Scotland with the British monarch, ITV reported on Thursday, following news of the queen's ill health.

Doctors recommend the Queen remain under medical supervision

The queen, Britain's longest reigning sovereign and the world's oldest monarch, has been suffering from what Buckingham Palace has called "episodic mobility problems" since the end of last year.

She has been forced to cut back on her public engagements since then and on Wednesday cancelled a planned virtual meeting with senior ministers after being advised to rest by her doctors.

The previous day she had been pictured appointing Liz Truss as the country's new prime minister at her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle.

"Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision," the palace said in a statement.

"The queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral." A palace source said immediate members had been informed and played down speculation that the monarch had suffered a fall.

Her eldest son and heir Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have travelled to her Scottish home Balmoral Castle, where she is staying, along with his eldest son Prince William, officials said.

Whole country 'will be deeply concerned'

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss tweeted that the whole country "will be deeply concerned" about the health of Queen Elizabeth II.

"The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime," Truss tweeted after the Palace issued a statement.

"My thoughts - and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom - are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time," she added.

Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons, interrupted an energy debate in parliament to say he sent his best wishes to the monarch.

Reaction from politicians and officials

OPPOSITION LABOUR LEADER KEIR STARMER: "Along with the rest of the country, I am deeply worried by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon. My thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time, and I join everyone across the United Kingdom in hoping for her recovery."

FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND NICOLA STURGEON: "All of us are feeling profoundly concerned at reports of Her Majesty's health. My thoughts and wishes are with the Queen and all of the Royal Family at this time."

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY JUSTIN WELBY: "My prayers, and the prayers of people across the @churchofengland and the nation, are with Her Majesty The Queen today. May God's presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family, and those who are caring for her at Balmoral."

SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT LINDSAY HOYLE: "I know I speak on behalf of the entire House when I say we send all the best wishes to her Majesty the Queen."

Queen Elizabeth's year of ill health

Queen Elizabeth II has been troubled by health problems since spending a night in hospital last October.

The 96-year-old monarch has since cancelled a series of public engagements on medical advice.

■ October 2021

The queen is seen using walking stick at Westminster Abbey service on October 12, the first time she has done so at a major public event.

She pulls out of two-day trip to Northern Ireland, advised to rest on medical grounds, Buckingham Palace announces on October 20.

The next day the Palace said the queen has attended a private London hospital for "preliminary investigations" and stayed in overnight.

On October 26, the Palace says she has resumed "light duties".

■ November 2021

The queen is seen driving a car at her Windsor Castle home west of London on November 1.

But she pulls out of UN climate change summit in Glasgow, Scotland on doctors' "advice to rest" and misses annual Remembrance Sunday event on November 14 due to "sprained back".

■ February 20, 2022

The queen tests positive for Covid-19 after resuming in-person audiences at Windsor Castle. Buckingham Palace says she has "mild, cold-like symptoms".

She is later overheard saying: "It does leave one very tired and exhausted, doesn't it?"

■ March 2022

The queen pulls out of Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

But she attends March 29 memorial service there for her late husband Prince Philip, who died last year aged 99.

■ April 2022

The queen misses the traditional Maundy Thursday religious service.

■ May 2022

The queen misses the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament on May 10 due to "episodic mobility problems" - only the third time she has done so since 1952.

Her heir Prince Charles takes on her role.

■ June 2022

The queen misses significant Platinum Jubilee events for her 70th year on the throne, including a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral on June 3, making only two public appearances.

She also misses the flat-racing event The Derby at Epsom on June 4.

■ September, 2022

The queen misses the traditional Braemar Gathering Highland Games event near Balmoral on the first weekend of September.

She formally appoints Liz Truss as the 15th prime minister of her reign on September 6 and is photographed standing up to shake her hand.

She carries out the ceremony at Balmoral in Scotland for the first time, instead of Buckingham Palace.

On September 7, she pulls out of a planned meeting with senior political advisers after being told to rest.

On September 8, Buckingham Palace issues a highly unusual bulletin on the monarch's health stating that doctors are concerned and have recommended she "remain under medical supervision".

The statement adds that "the queen remains comfortable at Balmoral".