In pics: Britain mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday at 96 at Balmoral Castle, her beloved summer home in Scotland. She was with members of the royal family, who arrived upon hearing about the Queen’s deteriorating health.

Her passing ends an era, the modern Elizabethan age. Her 73-year-old son, Charles, automatically became king upon her death. He will be known as King Charles III, although his coronation might not take place for months.

Huge crowds gathered on streets across the country. Hundreds, if not thousands, were seen outside Buckingham Palace in London. As people mourned the death of their queen, a double rainbow appeared above the castle on Thursday.

World leaders paid tribute to her long reign. US President Joe Biden called her a “stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy.”