Welcome to the lead, I'm Jake Tapper in Washington, D.C. for 70 years her subjects and her fans have been saying God save the Queen but this afternoon Queen Elizabeth the second the longest ruling monarch in British history, died at the age of

96. The royal family confirmed the news just about 90 minutes ago saying that the

Queen died peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Moments ago, her son Charles, now King Charles III released a statement saying in part,

quote, we mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much loved mother.

I know her loss will be deeply fell throughout the country, the realms, and the Commonwealth,

and by countless people around the world."

We expect King Charles to make an address tomorrow.

Moments after the official announcement this afternoon, the flag over Buckingham Palace was lowered to half

staff a similar scene unfolding at the Queen's other homes including Windsor

Castle and 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.

Crowds began gathering outside Buckingham Palace this afternoon upon hearing there were concerns

about the Queen's health.

Those crowds have only continued to grow since the official

announcement of her passing. Members of the Royal Family rushed to Balmoral today

after doctors put the Queen under medical supervision due to concerns about her health.

The group included her heir apparent Charles and his wife Camilla, who are now the King

and Queen Consort, Prince's William and Harry, and the Queen's other children.

Queen Elizabeth was last seen in photographs released Tuesday when she accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson

and welcomed a new British Prime Minister Liz Truss.

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