Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. The royal family gathered at her bedside at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Britain's longest-reigning monarch has been planning for the passing of her title for some time. Members of the royal family, including King Charles III, who until Thursday was the longest-serving heir in British history, have stepped up responsibilities as the queen's health has not shown promise for much longer.
But who will inherit the throne now that Queen Elizabeth is no longer alive?
Charles, the Queen's eldest son, inherits the sovereign title as head of the Commonwealth, along with other assets such as land and property.
A few years ago, the Queen expressed her desire for Charles to take over the Commonwealth. "It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to provide stability and continuity for future generations and that the Prince of Wales may one day continue the important work started by my father in 1949," she said in 2018. , after the next head who would succeed him was voted unanimously.
Who is Charles, Prince of Wales?
Charles, 73, has waited decades to become king and is the longest-serving heir in British history. He is the eldest of four children born to the Queen and her late husband, Prince Philip. When his mother took the throne at the age of 25, he became Britain's heir apparent when he was just 3 years old.
Charles' titles are: Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay and Earl of Carrick.
Charles married Diana Spencer in 1981, and the couple became known as the Prince and Princess of Wales. They had two children, Princes William and Harry. Charles and Diana separated in 1992. After Diana's death in 1997, Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles, now known as the Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005.
