United Kingdom's longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, 96, has died at Balmoral.

Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years. She was the head of state for 15 countries.

The royal family had gathered at her Scottish estate earlier on Thursday following concerns about her health.

Buckingham Palace has released a statement stating 'The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow".

Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952 and reigned for 70 years and has witnessed and led enormous change over the past decades.