Elizabeth II passes away at age 96.

Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled the UK for 70 years, passed away at Balmoral at the age of 96.

After worries about her health grew early on Thursday, her family gathered at her Scottish estate.

The Queen saw significant social change after ascending to the throne in 1952.

Charles, her eldest son and the future King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth states, will lead the nation in grief as a result of her passing.