Queen Elizabeth, longest-reigning monarch in British history, dies at 96

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving British monarch and Canadian head of state, has died.

She was 96.

Buckingham Palace announced her death in a statement.

The announcement came hours after the palace said the monarch had been placed under medical supervision because doctors were concerned for her health.

Members of the Royal Family travelled to Scotland to be at the bedside of the monarch.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon earlier sent "thoughts of comfort and healing" to the Royal Family through a message posted on Twitter.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also said his thoughts and prayers were with the Royal Family and all citizens of the Commonwealth. 

"God Save the Queen," he said in a statement on social media.

Ralph Goodale, Canada's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, tweeted to say the Queen is "a profoundly important person in the most successful constitutional monarchy in world history." 

In terms of Canada's governance, things will remain business as usual.

That's according to Philippe Lagassé, an associate professor of international affairs at Carleton University and an expert on the role of the Crown in the Westminster system of government.

It means the succession from the Queen to her eldest son Charles is automatic, without any disruption to governing bodies that sit in her name or to legislation, oaths and other legal documents issued in her name.

Lagasse says this transition does not require any action on Canada's part.

Love for the Great White North

It wouldn't be a stretch to suggest the Queen held a special place in her heart for Canada.

As an ardent world traveller, she visited this country more than any other during her reign, and she was in the habit of referring to it as home.

If you include overnight visits and aircraft refuelling stops, the Queen visited Canada no less than 31 times since her coronation in June 1952, according to the Canadian Heritage Department.

In second place is Australia with 18 visits, including stopovers, according to the The Royal Family's official website.

"I think she really developed a warm affection for us," says Barry MacKenzie,  a spokesman for the Monarchist League of Canada. "She's done a marvellous job of taking advantage of all of those opportunities to meet Canadians and to develop a taste for life here."

--With files from The Canadian Press