Portrait pictures of a young Queen Elizabeth II taken at the beginning of her reign and the jewels she wore are going display at Buckingham Palace from Friday

Buckingham Palace officials issued a statement on Thursday confirming the 96-year-old, who is at her Balmoral residence in Scotland, is suffering from health problems requiring her doctors' intervention.

People around the world and in Britain are mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the U.K.'s longest-reigning monarch and one of the most enduring royal personalities the world has known. She died Thursday at the age of 96.

Queen Elizabeth II had a special relationship with Africa. She turned 21 on a visit to South Africa and was in Kenya when her father died and she ascended the throne. As the British monarch, she undertook numerous tours of Africa.

Starting with Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth saw 15 prime ministers — just. Her final act was replacing a cheerful moral vacuum with a poser with no panache.

Queen Elizabeth II's death has led to glowing tributes from leaders across Africa but also criticism of the monarch and her country's colonial legacy on a continent where Britain has a long checkered history.

From politics to sports and culture, events have been canceled or rescheduled as the national mourning period for the queen begins. Here are some of the major activities that have been called off.

One of the many things late Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered for is her unique fashion statement and collection of hats. Here are a few hats off the Queen's collection.

Welcome to a special edition on Queen Elizabeth II and Africa. All praise for some and criticism from others, from brutal repression in Kenya to open support for the end of apartheid, across the continent Elizabeth the Second leaves a mixed legacy and mixed feelings behind her.

Grief comes in many shapes and forms — especially when experienced collectively. People joining the crowds outside Buckingham Palace have a broad spectrum of views on Queen Elizabeth II and her legacy.

King Charles III is so far enjoying a "remarkable upsurge in public support" after his mother’s death, but it remains to be seen whether this will last. That's the view of Sean Lang, a senior lecturer in history at Anglia Ruskin University, who specialises in the history of the British Empire. He added that there may be a "snowball effect" if one or more countries decide to remove the British monarch as head of state, but that the Commonwealth itself has a bright future ahead.

Queen Elizabeth's casket, which was flown from Edinburgh to London, became the most tracked flight in history. Thousands also gathered outside the Buckingham Palace to say their final goodbyes.