Queen Elizabeth II has passed away

London Bridge is down

The UK’s longest reigning monarch, aged 96 has died at Balmoral. The union flag on top of the palace was lowered to half-mast at 18:30 BST and an official notice announcing the death was posted outside.

The royal family has entered a period of mourning. Official engagements will be cancelled and union flags will be flown at half-mast on royal residences, government buildings, across the Armed Forces and on UK posts overseas.

During her reign she had seen 15 prime ministers starting with Winston Churchill and ending with Ms Truss.