Queen Elizabeth II passed away, aged 96, following 70 years on the throne, Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement.
Her death brought an end to the longest reign in history, having ascended the throne following the death of her father, King George VI on 6 February 1952.
With his eldest brother, Edward, the Prince of Wales, next in line, the then Duke of York wasn't expected to ever become monarch.
Here's the story of how the young 'Lilibet' came to be the country's beloved and longest-reigning sovereign.
Mourners pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
How did Queen Elizabeth II become Queen?
The Duke of York married his Duchess in 1923 before the couple settled into domestic happiness, free of the pressures placed on the heir apparent.
They were delighted when a second child, a sister for the four-year-old Princess Elizabeth, Margaret Rose, was born on August 21, 1930.
The family divided their time between London and the Royal Lodge at Windsor, and bliss were those early days as the two princesses played in Windsor Great Park.
On their visits to London, Princess Elizabeth would frequently go to Buckingham Palace to see her grandfather, King George V.
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The King, who suffered from ill health, was delighted by the visits from young ‘Lilibet’, Elizabeth’s pet name, who not only cheered up the King, but also had a positive effect on His Royal Highness’ well-being.
But tragedy struck in 1936, from which flowed a series of events which changed the course of Princess Elizabeth’s life.
King George V had worked hard on increasing the popularity of the monarchy.
His Silver Jubilee in 1935 had been greeted by widespread approval. It was the work undertaken by King George V which laid the foundations for the modern monarchy.
The King’s health was not helped by His Majesty being a heavy smoker. In his last year, he frequently needed oxygen to help him breathe.
The Queen's life in pictures
On January 20, 1936, after spending five days slipping in and out of consciousness, the King died.
Edward, known within the royal household as David, one of his middle names, acceded to the throne as King Edward VIII.
But the new King was in love with American divorcee Wallis Simpson and, as head of the Church of England, it was felt that Edward could not marry a divorced woman.
The King made it clear that he intended to marry Wallis Simpson and, with no compromise in sight, he became the first British monarch to abdicate voluntarily.
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In his abdication speech, King Edward said: “This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire.
"And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me – a happy home with his wife and children.”
Edward’s decision changed The Duke of York’s world forever.
He was crowned King George VI on May 12, 1937, and his eldest daughter, Princess Elizabeth, became the next in line to the throne.
One day, ‘Lilibet’ would be Queen.
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