Britain’s Queen Elizabeth the Second has died at the age of 96.
She sat on the throne for 70 years having succeeded her father King George the Sixth in 1952 aged just 25.
Queen Elizabeth was the longest serving British Monarch and has passed away peacefully at Balmoral.
Her reign spanned 15 British Prime Ministers and seven Popes.
She visited Ireland in May 2011, the first time a ruling monarch had set foot in the Republic.
Former President Mary McAleese said that visit was an important moment:
President Michael D Higgins says it is with profound regret and a deep personal sadness he learnt of the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second.
On behalf of the people of Ireland he’s expressed his heartfelt sympathy to King Charles and the Royal Family.
He says the Queen served the British people with exceptional dignity.
