Prince Charles becomes king after Queen Elizabeth's death

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history and an icon instantly recognized by billions of people around the world, has died at the age of 96, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

The eldest of her four children, Charles, Prince of Wales, who at 73 is the oldest heir in British history, becomes king immediately.

The Queen's death came after the palace announced on Thursday that doctors were "concerned" about her health and recommended she remain under medical supervision.

All of their children - Charles, Princess Anne, 72, Prince Andrew, 62, and Prince Edward, 58, flocked to their Scottish Highland retreat, Balmoral.

They were joined by Charles' sons, Prince William, and his estranged brother, Prince Harry.

Two days earlier, the Queen appointed Liz Truss as the 15th Prime Minister of her reign and was seen in photographs smiling but frail and carrying a walking stick.

A photo of the meeting sparked alarm, showing a deep purple bruise on the monarch's right hand.

Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952 after World War II, aged just 25, and joined a world stage dominated by political figures from China's Mao Zedong to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and US President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Her 70-year reign spanned two centuries of seismic social, political, and technological upheaval.

The last remnants of the vast British empire were crumbling. At home, Brexit shook the foundations of her kingdom and her family endured a series of scandals.

But she remained popular throughout, serving as queen and head of state not just of the United Kingdom but of 14 former British colonies, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

She was also head of the 56-nation Commonwealth, which comprises a quarter of humanity, and supreme governor of the Church of England, the mother church of the global Anglican communion.

However, questions are raised as to whether the golden age of the British monarchy is now over, how an ancient institution can remain viable in the modern era, and whether Charles will enjoy the same respect or rule in his mother's shadow.

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