Queen Elizabeth is dead

<p><strong>Queen Elizabeth II&comma; the UK&&num;8217&semi;s longest-serving monarch&comma; has died at Balmoral aged 96&comma; after reigning for 70 years&period;<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>BBC News reports that her family gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier on Thursday&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>With her death&comma; her eldest son Charles&comma; the former Prince of Wales&comma; will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>In a statement&comma; Buckingham Palace said&colon; &&num;8220&semi;The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&&num;8220&semi;The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow&period;&&num;8221&semi;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>All the Queen&&num;8217&semi;s children travelled to Balmoral&comma; near Aberdeen&comma; after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Her grandson&comma; Prince William&comma; is also there&comma; with his brother&comma; Prince Harry&comma; on his way&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;