Canadian PM expresses condolences
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was one of the first world leaders to reflect on the queen's death.
"It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," Trudeau wrote in a tweet. "She was a constant presence in our lives — and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history."
Biden briefed on the death of the queen
President Joe Biden was informed of the death of Queen Elizabeth II by senior advisers Kate Bedingfield, Mike Donilon and Ron Klain during a meeting in the Oval Office.
A White House official said British Prime Minister Liz Truss had abruptly left a video conference with Biden and other allies earlier Thursday, an indication that the queen had died.
The president canceled a speech on Covid vaccinations Thursday afternoon following the news.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who learned of the queen's death during her daily press briefing, said, “Our hearts go to the people of the United Kingdom, to the queen and to her family.”
Royal website goes dark following death of Queen Elizabeth II
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the official royal website has gone dark.
The site currently has a black background with a photo of the late monarch and the palace's official statement under the image.
"The official website of the Royal Family is temporarily unavailable while appropriate changes are made," the website said.
The Union Flag flies at half-staff above Buckingham Palace
Queen Elizabeth II died 'peacefully,' royal family says
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," the royal family said in a statement announcing the news at 6:30 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. ET).
"The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow," the statement read, referring to Elizabeth's son Charles and his wife, Camilla.
Charles becomes king
Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, is now king of the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth Realms.
Charles, 73, is the eldest of four children born to the queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year.
Charles immediately became king upon Elizabeth's death.
Watch: Queen Elizabeth II’s life through the years
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, dies at 96
Queen Elizabeth II — whose 70-year reign spanned wars, a pandemic, 14 U.S. presidents and the winding down of Britain’s vast empire — has died.
The longest-serving British monarch was 96.
Her eldest son, Charles, is now king of the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth Realms.
World leaders share messages of support
In addition to President Joe Biden, leaders from around the world are sharing messages of support for the queen.
"My thoughts, and the thoughts of Canadians across the country, are with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at this time," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet. "We’re wishing her well, and sending our best to the Royal Family."
The queen is Canada's head of state, as she is for the other 14 Commonwealth realms.
European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said during a news conference that her prayers were with the queen.
"She represents the whole history of the Europe that is our common home with our British friends," von der Leyen said, according to The Associated Press. "She has given to all of us in all these years, always, stability, confidence. She's shown an immense amount of courage. She is a legend in my eyes, and therefore my prayers are with her."