The first hint that something was wrong came just after lunchtime. A statement from Buckingham Palace: "The queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision." 

The Royal Family rushed to BalmoralA castle in Aberdeenshire which has belonged to the royal family for 170 years.. Reporters gathered at the gates, sheltering from the rain under a sea of umbrellas. Throughout the afternoon, the world watched and waited.

Then, at 6.33PM, the announcement came. The Queen was dead. The longest reign in British history was over. 

The reaction was immediate. Television programmes stopped. People in the crowd gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace began to cry. Broadcasters put on black ties. Alerts flashed across millions of phones around the world. The news had to be spread, far and wide.

Within moments, the new King, Charles III, had issued a statement. "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family."

In London, as the rain fell and the skies darkened, the United Kingdom's new prime minister stepped out onto Downing Street10 Downing Street, in central London, has been the official home of the UK prime minister since 1735. . "We are all devastated," she told the waiting crowd.

"Britain is the great country it is today because of her." Liz Truss ended her statement with four words few people alive today will have ever heard before: "God save the King." 

Princess Elizabeth of York was not born to rule. Her father, the Duke of York, was the brother of the King. But her uncle's abdicationRenouncing or giving up the throne. changed everything. Elizabeth was only 10 years old. 

On her 21st birthday, she made a solemn vow. "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service." 

Her words were prophetic. The Queen served for 70 years, longer than any other British monarch before her.

She faced obstacles, scandals and disasters. At times, the future of her family seemed uncertain. 

Yet the Queen was a constant presence in a society that changed dramatically. Year after year, she held meetings with 15 different prime ministers. She remained steadfast as both the monarchy's role in Britain and Britain's role in the world transformed almost beyond recognition. 

The death of a 96-year-old cannot be called unexpected. But for people around the world, knowing this day was coming does not make it any less profound.

Yes: She stayed steadfast as the world changed around her and carried on working long after most people have retired. There is no doubt: she will go down in history as one of Britain's greatest stateswomen.

No:  The monarchy of today is not the monarchy of the past. The Queen was in many ways little more than a figurehead. The monarchy is in decline, and so Elizabeth II cannot be the greatest monarch of all time.

Or... It is far too soon to say. The world is still reeling from the news of the Queen's death. It is only in the years to come that the historians of the future will be able to pass judgement on her legacy.