Her Majesty, the Queen has died at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Buckingham Palace has announced - and the nation will be given the chance to pay their respects towards the UK's longest-reigning monarch.
In a statement released at 6.30pm on Thursday, the Royal Family 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."
Earlier today, the Palace said that The Queen's doctors were 'concerned for Her Majesty's health' - leading members of the Royal Family to scramble to Scotland to support Elizabeth II.
The Mirror reports that 'Operation Unicorn' plans were drawn up years ago outlining the procedures for if the Queen were to die in Scotland, which is where she currently is. The operation was ready if the country's longest-reigning monarch died in her favourite residence - which will likely see the neighbouring palace of Holyrood House and St Giles' Cathedral as main landmarks for the public to pay their respects.
The plans state that during a period of mourning, her body will be transferred from Balmoral to Holyrood House in Edinburgh, before travelling to London via a royal train. If she is to be transported by air, the operation known as 'Overstudy' will come into effect - according to plans leaked to Politico in 2021.
It is understood that her body will be placed on the Royal Train at Waverley Station and will travel on the east coast mainline before finishing in London. A 10-day mourning period will be in place up to and including the Queen's funeral.
This will see the Royal Household to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers request that religious buildings ring their bells with muffles in order to create a more solemn sound. Many of the churches haven't used these since King George VI's death 70 years ago.
Full details of Operation London Bridge were leaked last year, giving a full day-to-day run down of what will happen when the Queen passes away. The day will be known as D Day, with the days following called D Day plus the number of days that have passed.
For example, the second day will be D Day Plus One.
King Charles and the Prime Minister Liz Truss have both issued statements paying tribute to the Queen. Government departments have been instructed to have flags at half mast as soon as the announcement was made.
The Queen will be buried 10 days after she dies, it is expected, and Charles will embark on a tour of the UK before the burial is held. The sovereign's coffin will lie in state for three days at the Houses of Parliament, with authorities anticipating hundreds of thousands of people to descend on London - sparking fears over gridlock and policing.
Any other Parliamentary business is set to be suspended for 10 days, it is reported. The day of the funeral will be a Day of National Mourning, but employers will not be compelled to give staff a day off.
You can leave a tribute for the Queen in our online condolence book.
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