Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96

The Queen has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace has announced in a statement.

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."

Charles her eldest son is now King and will be named as King Charles III.

In a statement, His Majesty the King said: "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."

He said during the period of mourning and change he and his family would be "comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held".