Mary Nightingale was the journalist to break the news of the Queen's death on ITV this evening.
The broadcaster was dressed in an all-black ensemble as she informed ITV viewers Britain's longest serving monarch had passed away at the age of 96, before a moving and poignant tribute was played in memory of the late Head of State.
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," Nightingale somberly began the address earlier this evening [September 8] following Buckingham Palace's official statement.
"The King and the queen consort remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. So lets take a moment to reflect on that news."
The screen then turned to black before the sound of the national anthem, God Save the Queen, could be heard and an image of the late Queen adorned the screen for a moment of reflection in order for viewers to take in the news.
Nightingale then went on say how for most of us, the Queen "has been the only monarch most of us have ever known" and her 70-year reign has been "the longest, and in the view of many, the most successful in British history".
The broadcaster continued to declared that Queen Elizabeth II "set the standard" for future monarchs and devoted her life to public service across the commonwealth and the world.
"The best monarch this world has ever known," one ITV viewer reacted to the tribute on Twitter, with another adding: "Thank you for all your Service Ma'am.....You will be forever in our hearts."
A third wrote: "Her sense of duty was unwavering to the end and she has been an incredible role model for so many people around the world. RIP Queen Elizabeth."
Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 surrounded by her family. In the year of her Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of dedicated service to the Throne, Britain's longest serving monarch passed away at her beloved Scottish estate, Balmoral.
The official statement from Buckingham Palace announcing the news reads: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
Her eldest son and heir Prince Charles is now King. She leaves behind four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie and Lilibet.
The UK is now in a period of official mourning with her funeral due to take place within a fortnight. The future king, the Prince of Wales, and second in line to the throne, the Duke of Cambridge, rushed to the Queen’s Scottish Highlands home following the announcement.
You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here
