The BBC will air a special remembrance service for The Queen on Friday night, after Her Majesty's death at the age of 96.
News came in at just after 6.30pm that Queen Elizabeth II had died at Balmoral a few hours earlier, at the age of 96, as several senior members of the Royal Family headed to Scotland to be with her. Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty in a statement which read: 'The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral and return to London in the morning."
The confirmation of The Queen's death prompted an outpouring of grief across the world as world leaders, celebrities and athletes all paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth. The new monarch, King Charles III paid an emotional tribute to his mother, which ended: "During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held."
BBC news anchor Huw Edwards had the very tough job of delivering the news to the nation, before his colleague Clive Myrie took over as coverage went into the night. The broadcaster suspended all its usual programming on Friday and, as part of its coverage will air the service of prayer and reflection from St Paul’s Cathedral at 6pm.
The Prime Minister and Lord Mayor of London are expected to attend the service, with King Charles' Speech, the new monarch's first address to the nation, set to be broadcast in audio form, should it clash with the event.
The public are also welcome to attend the service with 2,000 available. Seats will be allocated to the public on a first come first served basis.
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