The 73-year-old has been heir apparent as well as Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay since 1952 and is both the oldest and the longest-serving heir apparent in British history. The throne passed immediately and without ceremony to the heir, Charles.
He will be known as King Charles III. That was the first decision of the new king’s reign. He could have chosen from any of his four names – Charles Philip Arthur George.
He is not the only one who faces a change of title. There will also be a new title for Charles’ wife, whose full title will be Queen Consort – consort is the term used for the spouse of the monarch.
On Thursday morning, after concerns grew about her health her family gathered at her Scottish estate.
In 1952, Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne at the age of 26 and witnessed enormous social change.
With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.
Buckingham Palace in a statement said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.