What will happen if the Queen abdicates the British throne

A meeting of Royal Household staff called for Thursday morning has sparked rumours over the health of the Queen and Prince Philip - but Buckingham Palace has been quick to dispel any gossip.

"You could safely assume the Queen and Prince Philip are not dead," a press officer was quoted as saying.

The BBC's royal correspondent, Peter Hunt, has said the meeting is not about the health of the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh.

Internal Royal Household meetings take place around once a year.

With rumours of ill health quashed, other social media users are suggesting the Queen could be set to abdicate the throne. So what would happen if she did?

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning British monarch in history, superseding the record set by her great-great-grandmother Victoria.

She ascended to the throne aged 25, following the death of her father King George on 6 February 1952.

The next royal in line to the throne is her eldest son Charles, the Prince of Wales, who is 68. He is the oldest person to be next in line since Sophie of Hanover, who died aged 83 in 1714. Should Charles replace the Queen, he would be the oldest monarch to accede to the throne.

If he decided to abdicate, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, would become King.