Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace has announced.
A statement issued by the 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 Queen had ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history. Last year, the Queen’s husband Prince Philip, died aged 99, after serving at her side for more than six decades of her reign.
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96
But unlike Prince Philip’s funeral, Her Majesty’s will be a state funeral. The Queen’s funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey and preparations for the service will begin in six days' time.
In an operation, codenamed ‘feather’, the Queen will lie in state at the Palace of Westminster for three days. It is unknown whether the public will be able to pay their respects at Westminster Hall.
On the sixth day, a rehearsal will also take place for the state funeral procession. On the day of the funeral itself, which is usually 10 days after the Queen’s death, the London Stock Exchange will close, as will most UK banks.
The day of the funeral will also become a national holiday. At 9am, Big Ben will strike, before processions in London and Windsor.
The Queen’s coffin will reach Westminster Abbey at 11am and a two-minute silence will begin at 12pm. The Archbishop of Canterbury will be in charge of funeral proceedings.
Around 2,000 guests are expected to be in attendance, while the BBC broadcasts the funeral. After the service, the Queen will be buried at the King George VI Memorial Chapel in Windsor.
READ NEXT:
Updates as The Queen placed under medical supervision after doctors' concerns
What happens when the Queen dies, and what is Operation London Bridge
How news of Queen's declining health spread suddenly around Parliament
Queen Elizabeth placed under medical supervision after doctors' concerns
Loose Women fans appalled over show's 'silence' on Queen's health
