We are closing this live blog. For all the latest updates on the death of the Queen, head over to our new live blog here:
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Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, left Balmoral alone at about 8.15am this morning, with the convoy passing flowers that had been laid as tributes to his late grandmother. Guardian photographer Murdo MacLeod captured the poignant moment.
Hundreds of mourners have been gathering outside Buckingham Palace from early this morning, reports my colleague Geneva Abdul.
Many were continuing to lay bouquets against the palace gates with touching tributes thanking the Queen for her years of service and dedication.
Rose, who asked not to use her last name, was one of many laying flowers before starting their workday.
“She’s done such a wonderful job for our country,” said Rose. “I respected her Christian faith, I’m really sorry we’ve lost such a great monarch.”
Rose recently lost her father whose funeral is next week, she shared as her eyes began to water, adding, she feels on a similar path of grief as the royal family.
“I’m grieving for my father and grieving for the queen now as well,” said Rose, who recalled standing on the streets for Princess Diana’s funeral.
“I very much hope I can be here for the queens funeral as well, standing on the streets somewhere to pay my respects.”Jane and Glenn Oxford, visiting London for the weekend, made their way to Buckingham Palace to pay their respects, but we’re unable to find a bouquet to pay tribute with all the surrounding shops sold out.
“We just had to come, because she was just so much for everybody she gave her life for this country and I think that’s just so special,” said Jane fighting back tears.
“She had dignity all her life, she’s done so many things and never moaned at all, and that’s great. Not many people can do that, so, good on you Liz,” said Glenn.
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The King has declared that a period of official Royal Mourning will be observed from today lasting until seven days after the Queen’s state funeral, reports Caroline Davies.
Royal Mourning is observed by members of the royal family, as well as staff in the royal households, and troops on ceremonial duties.
It has also been announced that gun salutes, one round fired for each of the Queen’s 96 years, will be fired from Hyde Park and the Tower of London at 1pm as the nation enters a period of national mourning, the details of which will be announced by the government.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral. The date of the Funeral will be confirmed in due course.
“Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties.
“Flags at Royal Residences were half masted yesterday, Thursday 8th September, and will remain half-masted until 0800hrs on the morning after the final day of Royal Mourning.”
The half-masting of flags at Royal Residences does not apply to the Royal Standard and the Royal Standard in Scotland when the King is in residence, as they are always flown at full mast.
Guidance on flags at other public buildings has been issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Royal gun salutes will be fired in London at 1pm, in Hyde Park by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, and at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery, with one round fired for each year of the Queen’s life.
There will be no physical books of condolence at royal residences, but an online Book of Condolence for those who wish to leave messages is available on the Royal website.
Dedicated sites for floral tributes from the public have been set up, in Green Park and Hyde Park near Buckingham Palace in London. In Windsor a dedicated site has been set up at Cambridge Gate on the Long Walk, with flowers brought inside the castle every evening, and placed on the Castle Chapter grass on the south side of St George’s Chapel and Cambridge Drive.
At the Sandringham Estate, members of the public are encouraged to leave floral tributes at the Norwich Gates. At Balmoral Castle, floral tributes can be left at the Main Gate. At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, members of the public are encouraged to give floral tributes to the Wardens at the entrance to The Queen’s Gallery, which will be laid on the forecourt grass in front of the North Turret of the Palace. At Hillsborough Castle, floral tributes may be laid on the Castle forecourt, in front of the main gates.
All royal residences will remain closed to the public until after the Queen’s state funeral, which is expected to be on Monday September 19, although that has not yet been officially confirmed.
This includes The Queen’s Gallery, and Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s Gallery in Edinburgh. The Queen’s private estates at Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House, will also close for this period, as will Hillsborough Castle, the Queen’s official residence in Northern Ireland.
Aberdeenshire council has laid on special buses to take well-wishers to Balmoral from the nearby villages of Braemar and Ballater, to avoid the main road being overwhelmed by parked cars and queues, writes Scotland editor Severin Carrell .
He’s also taken some pics of messages left on bouquets. Beautiful note from a little girl called Tilly, which simply says: “Love you Queen.”
— Severin Carrell (@severincarrell) September 8, 2022
It said dedicated park and ride facilities had been set up in both villages, and a disabled parking zone at the nearer settlement of Crathie, to ferry well-wishers to and from the castle gates.
It urged well-wishers not to bring soft toys, candles or photographs – in part because of the heavy rain soaking Royal Deeside on Thursday morning.
“Members of the public are advised that there will be limited rest facilities at the estate and are asked to return to Ballater or Braemar after paying their respects. There will be neither the space nor the facilities to allow the public to gather in the area. There
will also be restrictions regarding what can be taken on the buses, with signage in the locations to this effect,” the council said.
“In particular, only floral tributes will be permitted – no other items such as candles, soft toys or photographs should be brought.
“Please also be aware the weather is very wet and queueing is likely, so please dress appropriately as there is no shelter.”
In Edinburgh the authorities are preparing for large crowds near Holyroodhouse and around the Old Town, writes the Guardian’s Mark Brown.
Mourners start to arrive at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, one of the first is Andrew Anderson. “She was a constant in my life, I had to come.” pic.twitter.com/vV9MKBr9wX
— Mark Brown (@markbrown14) September 9, 2022
One of the first to arrive at Holyroodhouse was 40-year-old council worker Andrew Anderson who had set off from Balloch, Loch Lomond, at 5.30am to lay flowers.
“I heard the news and knew I had to come. I thought Balmoral would be
too busy so i came here. She’s been a constant in my life. When I heard I just felt lost. It’s a common phrase but it’s true, the world is a sadder place.”
The front gates of Buckingham Palace are filling with floral tributes, wedged between the black rails or laid on the pavement, writes the Guardian’s Chief Reporter Daniel Boffey.
A few thousand people at the gates of Buckingham Palace. Joggers, commuters and cyclists, who are taking a moment to reflect as they pass through, are as prominent as those who had travelled into London early this morning for the sole purpose of commemorating the Queen's passing. pic.twitter.com/nuULEU7UdJ
— Daniel Boffey (@danielboffey) September 9, 2022
The vast majority of people, a few thousand now, had simply been passing by and decided to take a moment to reflect. Joggers, byciclists, suit wearing commuters, are just as prominent as those who travelled into central London in the early hours for the sole purpose of commemorating the Queen’s passing.
Sam Knight, 26, said the loss of the Queen had brought back memories of bereavements in her own family. “I just thought I would come before work to mark it”, she said. The palace’s empty balcony was the focus for others. “That is what did upset me - thinking she won’t be up there again”, said James Hall, 31.
Severin Carrell has been speaking to mourners outside Balmoral.
A local resident, Lizzie, and her two children pay their respects at #Balmoral, despite the persistent rain, where flowers have been laid at the gates to the estate #QueenElizabeth pic.twitter.com/ZKfZMjQfGU
— Severin Carrell (@severincarrell) September 9, 2022
Kay McClement, 58, a local holiday park owner, was amongst the well-wishers braving the rain to lay flowers alongside the granite gate to Balmoral on Thursday morning.
“She was such a wonderful woman,” she said, as she walked to the gate with her friend Sarah McCoshim[cor], 56. “She’s just everything you would want in a mum and a grandmother, and we want to come and pay our respects. Because we’re local, it feels like something deep inside you.”
McCoshim, 56, who works for Marks & Spencers, remembered being in London when Princess Diana died. “Myself and my colleagues just felt, as thousands did, we just had to go, just to pay our respects and feel that connection. It just evokes a feeling, and I do feel the same now. I was cleaning my carpets all day yesterday and had the telly
on constantly: I just felt that connection. She was an incredibly special person.”
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The former British prime minister Theresa May has said audiences with the “immensely knowledgeable” Queen were the only meetings as leader where everything that was said would remain private.
She said the meetings involved “talking about the affairs of the day, in a sense tapping into her wisdom and that knowledge that she had from her great experience”.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, she said:
She was a very acute judge of people and was able often to give those little, if you like, pen portraits of people that she knew, that she’d met. And sometimes it was a case of not just the individual but actually a sort of history of that individual, of her experiences of particular countries, particular issues.
There was often that twinkle in the eye, and that magnificent smile that would break out and that calmed so many people’s nerves and made so many people feel at ease.
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The Dalai Lama has expressed his “deep sadness” over the death of the Queen in a letter to King Charles III. He told the King his mother had lead “a meaningful life”.
He wrote:
I remember seeing photographs of her coronation in magazines when I was young in Tibet. Her reign, as Britain’s longest-serving monarch, represented celebration, inspiration and a reassuring sense of continuity for so many people alive today.
Your mother lived a meaningful life with dignity, grace, a strong sense of service and a warm heart, qualities we all should treasure.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has been speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning.
He said that the Queen could make anyone she met feel like they were the only person in the room.
There were hundreds of events every year which she attended. And she was the one – and again it runs in the family, I’ve seen His Majesty do the same thing – who could go into a room full of people or walk down a crowded street, and everyone she spoke to felt that they were the only person there.
She was never looking over their shoulder to see if there was somebody a bit more interesting. Everybody got her attention.
He added:
I think part of her great service that was unseen, as one former prime minister I heard say, that there’s only one person in the world that he could talk to and say exactly what he thought and felt and was 100% certain that it would never go any further.
And I think that that was a hidden service. She was a place of confidences, and of accumulating wisdom.
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Our Scotland editor Severin Carrell is at Balmoral, from where he sends this dispatch:
Five simple posies of flowers have been left on the granite bridge leading over the Dee to #Balmoral #Queen pic.twitter.com/vzBO7FImRj
— Severin Carrell (@severincarrell) September 8, 2022
Dozens of bouquets of flowers have been laid beside the main gates to Balmoral estate, with well-wishers arriving on foot on Thursday morning to pay their respects despite persistent rain, some bringing their children before school starts.
Locals had started to arrive with flowers soon after it was confirmed on Thursday evening after that the Queen had died, parking on nearby verges in near darkness and heavy rain, as night fell.
The police have now imposed a 20mph speed limit on the A93 as it passes by the entrance road leading to the castle gates, closing nearby verges and erecting crowd barriers.
Dozens of television cameras, including broadcasters from across the globe, have been set up on the edge of woodland directly opposite the gates as they prepare for a somber day on Royal Deeside.
The BBC Proms have cancelled the Last Night of the Proms and tonight’s Prom, having already called off last night’s performance.
BBC Proms said in a statement:
Following the very sad news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, as a mark of respect we will not be going ahead with Prom 71 on Friday 9 September, or the Last Night of the Proms on Saturday 10 September.
Not everyone agrees that public gatherings should be cancelled right now. Bruce Millington, director of sport at Spotlight Sports Group, who one might think has his own reasons for some events not to be cancelled, tweeted:
Let’s not rush to cancel all the things we enjoy like sport and concerts, where people can come together to show their collective respect for the Queen. Far better to cancel the stuff we don’t enjoy like school and the dentist.
— Bruce Millington (@brucemillington) September 9, 2022
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Just in case you missed it, this video of the Queen’s sense of humour – featuring Paddington Bear – is really lovely.
Paddington’s simple message of “Thank you Ma’am, for everything” to Her Majesty, has garnered more than 700,000 likes on Twitter.
Thank you Ma’am, for everything.
— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) September 8, 2022
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Sir Elton John paid tribute to the Queen at his concert in Toronto on Thursday night, praising the monarch and her “inspiring presence”.
The singer told his audience the Queen had led Britain through “some of our greatest and darkest moments” saying she “deserved” her final rest.
John, who was knighted by the Queen in 1998, gave a rendition of his 1974 track Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, while images of the smiling monarch, wearing a bright purple coat and hat, were displayed on the screens.
He said:
She was an inspiring presence to be around … she was fantastic. She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace and decency and a genuine caring warmth.
I’m 75 and she’s been with me all my life and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore, but I’m glad she’s at peace, and I’m glad she’s at rest and she deserves it.
She worked bloody hard. I send my love to her family. She’ll be missed.
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Ukraine’s foreign ministry changed its Twitter profile to a black and white union jack flag with a Ukrainian flag around the edge in honour of the Queen and as a mark of respect.
Thank you! 💛💙#SlavaUkraini! pic.twitter.com/RxEuXUZOsq
— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) September 9, 2022
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Many who loved the Queen will pick up a copy of a UK newspaper today, who all pay tribute to her dedicated life of service.
The Guardian features a full page picture of the Queen at her coronation.
The Guardian front page, Friday 9 September 2022; Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022 pic.twitter.com/5ROqSmVqE1
— The Guardian (@guardian) September 8, 2022
The Daily Mirror has a superb picture of the Queen in profile, against a black background and features two simple words: Thank you.
Friday's front page: Thank you https://t.co/RpX4DCvQ5l #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/0MxuaXtiDh
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) September 8, 2022
The Times takes the decision not to feature a full-page photograph of the Queen, instead presenting a more traditional front page. The paper also had a wraparound image of the Queen at her coronation enveloping the paper.
Friday’s Times #Tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/U0ndJCfVXq
— Helena Wilkinson (@BBCHelena) September 8, 2022
A stirring front from the Scottish Herald, featuring the Queen against the backdrop of the countryside she loved so much.
Tomorrow's front page as we pay tribute to the Queen pic.twitter.com/9ct0IZH8ST
— The Herald (@heraldscotland) September 8, 2022
My colleague Alison Rourke has gathered all the front pages here:
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The image of the Queen – from a young newlywed to an elderly grandmother – will continue be projected across newspapers and televisions today, as the UK wakes up on the first official day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II.
Ceremonial gun salutes are expected at Hyde Park and at Tower Hill, and a national minute’s silence is expected to be held.
King Charles is expected to conduct his first audience with the prime minister. He will also meet the Earl Marshal to officially sign off on the full funeral plans, with the state funeral expected to be held in 10 days’ time. The King will give a broadcast to the country and the Commonwealth later this week.
Here is an explainer from Caroline Davies on what we can expect over the next days and months.
The Guardian’s long read on the intensive planning for the death of the Queen and the succession of her son, first published in 2017, explores the minute detail of the plans that have been in place for many years.
Good morning from London, my name is Alexandra Topping and I’ll be looking after the liveblog this morning and keeping you up to date with developments.
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Key event
From Germany to Canada, and from the US to Australia, leaders have been remembering the Queen.
In a moving tribute, an emotional Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, calls the Queen “thoughtful, wise, curious, funny” and “much more”. And Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said her life would be “remembered for centuries”.
You can watch these and other tributes from Joe Biden, Jacinda Arden and Volodymyr Zelenskiy here:
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Hillary and Chelsea Clinton have been speaking at the New York premiere of their new show Gutsy about their memories of meeting the Queen.
Hillary, former first lady and also former US secretary of state, said she was “fortunate” to meet the Queen several times. She described the late monarch as a “curious, highly intelligent person who just wanted to learn”, adding that one of the highlights of her career was spending the night at “Buckingham Palace”.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea spoke about their memories of Queen Elizabeth at the New York premiere of their new show 'Gutsy' pic.twitter.com/qE7d4tTryj
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 9, 2022
The loss of the Queen will test a divided Britain, according to Guardian columnist Martin Kettle, with constitutional consequences that could resonate for years.
Of this unfamiliar moment in British life – the first time a reigning monarch has died since 1952 – he writes:
Do not underestimate the upheaval in British life that this dynastic moment will trigger. Elizabeth II spent 70 years as a low-key but extremely effective unifying force in a nation that is visibly pulling itself apart. Her passing will remove that force, which her heirs cannot assume they will be able to replicate. In its way, this succession will be one of the biggest tests to face modern Britain. Politics needs to be involved.
Here’s Martin’s full piece:
Our team of correspondents across the Pacific have been writing about how the Queen will be remembered in the region.
In the Solomon Islands, one of the few Commonwealth countries where the British monarch is still head of state, flags flew at half-mast, and “many people posted condolence messages on Facebook and changed their profile pictures to images of the Queen”, our team reports.
In Fiji, museum worker Jon Namacablawa said he was saddened by the news. “Fiji adores and looks up to the monarchy … She has led the empire very well. She has led with passion.”
Read the full report here:
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China’s president Xi Jinping offers ‘sincere sympathies’
President Xi Jinping of China has given his “sincere sympathies to the British government and people” in a statement released through state media.
“Xi Jinping, representing the Chinese government and the Chinese people, as well as in his own name, expresses deep condolences,” a statement said. “Her passing is a great loss to the British people.”
President Xi on Friday sent a message of condolence to UK’s new King Charles III on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and extended sincere sympathy to the British royal family, British government and people. pic.twitter.com/DcC4nHsQLJ
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) September 9, 2022
The statement, released on Chinese state media, noted the queen was the first British monarch to visit China and praised the longevity of her reign as the longest-serving monarch in British history.
“Xi Jinping stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-UK relations,” that statement said, adding he was “willing to work with King Charles III … to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples”.
Updated
The Queen’s death received widespread coverage from morning news shows and newspapers in Japan, where the announcement by Buckingham Palace came in the early hours of Friday, writes our correspondent Justin McCurry.
TV networks ran reports on the her 70-year-reign, while the online version of the country’s biggest-selling newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, led with Liz Truss’s tribute alongside a photo of the new prime minister.
The Asahi Shimbun reviewed the Queen’s attempts to heal the wounds of the second world war, noting the “deep” relationship between the royal family and Japan’s imperial family. The former emperor, Akihito, had visited the UK while crown prince in 1953 – a year after the Queen ascended the throne – while the country’s wartime emperor, Hirohito, made a controversial visit in 1971.
“She cared about post-war reconciliation between the two countries … and forged a close relationship that spanned nearly 70 years,” the Asahi said.
Updated
The official website of the royal family has been updated following the death of the Queen, with Charles now listed as His Majesty the King.
Charles automatically succeeded his mother as the nation’s monarch upon her passing, but he will not be formally proclaimed king until an accession council is held at St James’s Palace in London on Saturday.
However royal.uk already lists Charles as king, with his wife Camilla officially listed as Queen Consort.
The website’s home page has also been updated with a list of feature articles dedicated to the Queen’s life and reign.
The items range from “early life and education” to “the Queen and the Commonwealth”, while there are also features dedicated to her hobbies and the milestones of her historic reign.
Elsewhere, a “book of condolence” has been added, allowing people from all over the world to send messages of support to the royal family.
The website states: “A selection of messages will be passed onto members of the royal family, and may be held in the Royal Archives for posterity.”
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What happens today
Today will be packed with official, semi-official, and impromptu events marking the Queen’s death. Here’s an outline of the timetable we can expect:
King Charles and Camilla, now the Queen Consort, stayed at Balmoral on Thursday night but will travel to London on Friday where the new king will have an audience with the new prime minister, Liz Truss.
Confirming funeral plans – The King is likely to meet the Earl Marshal (the Duke of Norfolk) who is in charge of the accession and the Queen’s funeral, to approve the carefully choreographed schedule for the coming days.
National mourning – The government will confirm the length of national mourning, which is likely to be about 12 days, PA Media reports, from now up to the day after the Queen’s funeral. The public has already begun to gather in large crowds and leave flowers outside Buckingham Palace and other royal buildings. Ministers will also announce that the funeral day will be a public holiday.
Court mourning – The King will decide on the length of court or royal mourning for members of the royal family and royal households. It is expected to last a month.
Union jacks on royal buildings are flying at half-mast.
Bells will toll at Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle. Churches are being urged to toll their bells across England at noon.
A gun salute of 96 rounds – one round for every year of the Queen’s life – will be fired in Hyde Park and at other stations.
The King’s televised address – The King will make a televised address to the nation, which he is due to pre-record, in the early evening. He will pay tribute to the Queen and pledge his duty to his service as the new sovereign.
Service at St Paul’s Cathedral – The prime minister and senior ministers are expected to attend a public service of remembrance at St Paul’s in central London.
Updated
My colleague Ben Doherty has been looking at reaction from around the world, with New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern explaining how she was woken by a police officer’s torchlight in her bedroom before five in the morning.
Having gone to bed reading of the Queen’s ill-health, “when that torchlight came into my room I knew immediately what it meant,” Ardern said. “I am profoundly sad.”
Even diehard anti-colonialists such as Indian MP Shashi Tharoor moved to pay tribute to the late Queen.
“An era in history has ended today. It had to happen one day but it is still hard to escape a sense of disbelief. RIP Queen Elizabeth,” he said.
Read his full story here:
Updated
Sting has admitted he had a “quiet cry” following the death of the Queen, as more celebrities paid tribute to her reign and legacy.
The former Police frontman, who performed at the Queen’s 92nd birthday party concert in 2018, posted a short tribute on Twitter.
“I had a quiet weep for the Queen, I am sad for my country and what it has lost.”
I had a quiet weep for the Queen, I am sad for my country and what it has lost.
— Sting (@OfficialSting) September 8, 2022
Sting CBE. pic.twitter.com/mN19yt1lfE
He signed it off as “Sting CBE”, a reference to the honour of Commander of the British Empire given him by the Queen in 2003.
Music mogul Simon Cowell said the Queen was a monarch who “managed to balance great leadership, tradition and progression” in his own online tribute, posted to Instagram.
“I’m incredibly sad to hear of the passing of the Queen,” he wrote. “With incredible strength she was someone who loved her country and was able to lead with so much love. I feel very lucky that in my lifetime we have had a Monarch who managed to balance great leadership, tradition and progression.”
Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger reflected on how the Queen had “always been there” throughout his life as he recalled watching key moments.
He said: “I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much-beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the royal family.”
Updated
James Bond star Daniel Craig, who has been known to be on Her Majesty’s secret service, said the Queen leaves “an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed”.
Craig also acted with the Queen in a spoof sequence for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012.
In a statement to the PA news agency, he added: “I, like so many, was deeply saddened by the news today and my thoughts are with the royal family, those she loved and all those who loved her.”
Updated
Summary
If you’re just joining us or you’re dropping in to get back up to speed, here are the main points following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday afternoon, a statement from the royal family announced at 6.30pm UK time.
Prince Charles, heir to the throne since the age of three, is now king, and paid tribute to a “cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother”. He will be officially proclaimed as monarch at St James’s Palace in London at a meeting of the accession council on Saturday. He will not be crowned king until his coronation can be organised, possibly not for many months.
Large crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace and other royal residences to mourn the loss of the Queen. Crowds in London burst into renditions of God Save the Queen, and then God Save the King to mark the passing to the reign of King Charles. “She has been so strong,” one mourner said.
Charles and the Queen Consort, Camilla, stayed at Balmoral on Thursday night but will travel to London on Friday where the new king will have an audience with the new prime minister Liz Truss. He will make a televised address to the nation and the Commonwealth on Friday evening, UK time.
Truss, who was one of last visitors to see the Queen when she had her audience with her at Balmoral on Tuesday, said the Queen was the “rock on which modern Britain was built”.
Flags on landmark buildings in Britain and across the Commonwealth were being lowered to half mast as a 10-day period of official mourning was announced. Church bells will be rung around the country on Friday.
People may be able to pay their respects to the Queen as her coffin is expected to lie in rest for 24 hours at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Monday, the PA news agency reported.
Charles is also likely on Friday to meet the Earl Marshal – the Duke of Norfolk – who is in charge of the accession and the Queen’s funeral, to approve the carefully choreographed schedule for the coming days. See our brilliant piece on these arrangements and the codeword for the operation – “London Bridge is down”.
Leaders, monarchs and dignataries from around the world have been paying tribute to a monarch who, in the words of US president Joe Biden, “defined an era”. An emotional Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, said he would miss the Queen, who was “one of my favourite people”. The UN secretary general António Guterres said the Queen was “widely admired for her grace, dignity, and dedication around the world”.
The world of showbiz also came out in strength. Sir Elton John said the Queen had been “a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly”, while Dame Helen Mirren, who portrayed the Queen on the silver screen and on the stage, described the monarch as the “epitome of nobility”.
The UK newspapers carry portraits of the Queen, tributes and special editions as the front pages make the end of her long rule. “Our beloved Queen is dead”, said the Express, while the Mirror said “Thank you”.
Updated
Charlotte Graham-McClay reports on response to the Queen’s death in Wellington, New Zealand:
The first mourners have arrived at New Zealand’s parliament, in the capital, Wellington, to leave tributes for Queen Elizabeth in an official condolence book. It was opened in the past hour by prime minister Jacinda Ardern and the governor general, Cindy Kiro.
“With our deepest gratitude for your love for the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, and for your life of service,” Ardern wrote.
She followed the words with the Māori proverb “he kotuku rerenga tahi”, which translates to “a white heron’s flight is seen but once”. It refers to a rare event, and the comparison is intended as an honour.
Philip Rossiter, one of the first members of the public to sign the book, said he had turned out in deference to “my head of state”, and respect for Queen Elizabeth as a public servant himself.
“I think she was the consummate public servant,” he said. “She served the country, the Commonwealth, and the world.”
Also paying her respects was Michelle Hogan, who was visiting Wellington from Auckland, and said the Queen’s death marked the end of an era.
“I just feel like writing that it’s awful, isn’t it?” Hogan said. “It’s a bloody sad day.”
David Hibberd, who moved to New Zealand from England 11 years ago, said he had turned out to leave his condolences because he loves the royal family.
“The news was a shock this morning,” he said. “It was really hard to take, and I just wanted to come down and pay my respects for her service of being the Queen for 70 years.”
Updated
The Queen is being mourned around the world:
Updated
Charles to be formally proclaimed king at accession council on Saturday
Charles has automatically become king on the death of his mother, but an accession council is usually convened at St James’s Palace in London within 24 hours of the death of a sovereign.
It will be later following the death of the Queen because the announcement of her death did not come until early evening on Thursday, meaning there was not enough time to set the plans in motion for Friday morning.
Historically, the entire privy council is summoned to the accession council to oversee the formal proclamation of a new monarch.
But with the number of privy counsellors – who are lifetime members and mostly past and present politicians – now standing at more than 700, restrictions have been put in place.
Just 200 will be summoned, and those cut will be asked to enter an annual ballot for a few remaining seats, with the decision prompting a row over the lack of consultation and the loss of the key duty, the Telegraph previously reported.
The accession council must take place before parliament meets, and parliament should meet as soon as practicable after the death of a sovereign.
The accession council is divided into two parts, and is presided over by the lord president of the council, who has ministerial responsibility for the privy council office.
Penny Mordaunt was appointed lord president of the council, and leader of the House of Commons, on 6 September in Liz Truss’s new cabinet, in place of Mark Spencer, with the Queen officially approving the appointment.
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'Our beloved Queen is dead': how UK papers covered the moment
My colleague Alison Rourke has rounded up the front pages of most of the UK papers marking an “historic and sombre day” in the nation’s history.
The Times says that the Queen’s life that spanned “an era of vast social, material and technological change”, but ultimately she will be remembered as “the woman who saved the monarchy in this country”.
In its coverage, the Telegraph casts forward to King Charles’s reign, noting the new monarch has “vowed to avoid ‘meddling’ in politics, but is unlikely to stop fighting for the causes he has championed for decades”. Alison writes that the paper adds that no one who knows Charles expects him to reign in the same way as his mother.
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There’s a lovely, touching anecdote going around about the renowned trauma surgeon David Nott, who met the Queen when he returned from working in the war-torn Syrian city of Aleppo.
Nott described in his book, War Doctor, how he was discussing his work with the Queen at Buckingham Palace when he began to feel overwhelmed by emotion, perhaps because his mother had recently died.
The extraordinary moment when the great humanitarian & trauma surgeon David Nott met the Queen, shortly after his return from Aleppo. pic.twitter.com/LP2z7oGnpu
— Rachel Clarke (@doctor_oxford) September 8, 2022
He wrote: “I hoped she wouldn’t ask me another question about Aleppo. I knew if she did, I would completely lose control.”
Sensing his distress, the Queen changed the subject to her corgis and they proceeded to give their attention to the dogs.
“‘There,’ the Queen said. ‘That’s so much better than talking, isn’t it?’.”
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Guardian Australia political editor, Katharine Murphy, was on holiday and touring the state rooms of Buckingham Palace when news filtered through to the tourists that the Queen was ill.
She’s sent an elegiac dispatch from London where she observes that as autumnal rain replaces the summer’s golden weather, Britain as a whole finds itself in a state of flux with the monarch’s passing after 70 years on the throne. Liz Truss is just days into her prime ministership and was probably one of the last people to see the Queen when she visited Balmoral to be ushered in as Britain’s new leader.
Read the whole piece here:
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New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has talked about how she knew the Queen had died when a police officer shone torchlight into her bedroom at around 4.50am in the morning.
Ardern said she had been reading about the Queen’s ill health before going to bed, so “when that torchlight came into my room I knew immediately what it meant”.
Here she is talking about that moment and about how she “learned so much” from observing the monarch at close quarters.
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More UK front pages to compare and contrast.
The Daily Mail has a picture of a youthful Queen and boasts an “historic special edition” inside.
Friday’s @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/qCnMWjW2yQ
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) September 8, 2022
The Telegraph has the Queen in her later years and a quote from her that reads: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 8, 2022
'Grief is the price we pay for love' - HM Queen Elizabeth IIhttps://t.co/GvXEEFpNkR pic.twitter.com/QdFt2H9pHe
“Our beloved Queen is dead”, says the Express.
Tomorrow's @Daily_Express
— Karl Holbrook 🇺🇦 (@KarlDHolbrook) September 8, 2022
RIP our beloved Queen #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/bTQWeuV1eq
“Thank you” says the Mirror.
Friday's front page: Thank you https://t.co/RpX4DCvQ5l #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/0MxuaXtiDh
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) September 8, 2022
Even the Financial Times goes with the flow today with its poster-style front page.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition Friday September 9 https://t.co/tbknisJcrB pic.twitter.com/RxmEadxJOH
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) September 8, 2022
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Fiji’s prime minister Frank Bainimarama has said on Twitter on Friday morning that “Fijian hearts are heavy” in the wake of the Queen’s death.
The Queen visited the Pacific nation six times during her 70 years on the throne (but was overthrown as head of state in a coup in 1987).
Fijian hearts are heavy this morning as we bid farewell to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We will always treasure the joy of her visits to Fiji along with every moment that her grace, courage, and wisdom were a comfort and inspiration to our people, even a world away.
Fijian hearts are heavy this morning as we bid farewell to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We will always treasure the joy of her visits to Fiji along with every moment that her grace, courage, and wisdom were a comfort and inspiration to our people, even a world away. pic.twitter.com/SpSHLFfx7B
— Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) September 8, 2022
Britain’s newspapers are of course united in marking the Queen’s death with special editions and wraparound covers carrying portraits.
The Guardian chooses to run with a Cecil Beaton portrait of the Queen from her coronation in 1953, and inside there are 19 pages of news coverage.
The Guardian front page, Friday 9 September 2022; Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022 pic.twitter.com/5ROqSmVqE1
— The Guardian (@guardian) September 8, 2022
That’s also the choice of the Times…
Friday’s Times: A life in Service #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/9Dw7PWA698
— Helena Wilkinson (@BBCHelena) September 8, 2022
And the Star, which has the headline “You did your duty, Ma’am”…
Tomorrow's front page: 'You did your duty, Ma'am'💔https://t.co/idnY1TzJhL#TheQueen #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/4sBqiRQVT9
— Daily Star (@dailystar) September 8, 2022
And also the i and the online Independent, titles once celebrated for studiously downplaying royal stories.
Friday’s i #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/88dggOyqXB
— Helena Wilkinson (@BBCHelena) September 8, 2022
Not only did regular British television and radio come to a standstill on Thursday because of the Queen’s passing.
Broadcasters around the world interrupted their programming to bring viewers news of the death and the accession of Charles to the throne. The video includes a funny slip by the Fox News reporter who gets a little bit ahead of herself.
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Tom Jones, the singer, said the Queen had been an “inspiration” throughout his life. Great picture here of Jones chatting to the Queen after the Diamond Jubilee concert in 2012 along with Elton John, Cliff Richard, Shirley Bassey and Paul McCartney.
Queen Elizabeth II was a constant presence and inspiration throughout my life. She was a reassuring force in difficult times, her dedication was faultless and her commitment to duty unrivalled. I am honoured and blessed to have witnessed her reign.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber, the British composer, said she was a “selfless beacon”.
For the whole of my life, the Queen has been the constant anchor of not just Britain and her beloved Commonwealth, but an inspiration to the world for her lifetime of service. Her legacy will be remembered as a selfless beacon for love, understanding and celebration of fellow human beings all over the world, no matter their race or creed. Madeleine and I are deeply saddened by this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty the Queen’s family.
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Amid all the sombre tributes, it’s good to have a few more lighthearted anecdotes about the Queen.
They don’t come much better than this one from a former royal protection officer, Richard Griffin, who recalled a day when he was walking with the Queen on the Balmoral estate and they came across an American tourist who didn’t recognise the Queen. Hilarious consequences ensued …
this remains an all-time story about the queen pic.twitter.com/hI2yNUac0H
— David Mack (@davidmackau) September 8, 2022
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In Scandinavia, more royals have been paying tribute.
In Norway, King Harald said that for “nearly a century, Her Majesty devoted her life to the service of the Commonwealth, following the British people through good days and bad, in times of happiness and sorrow”.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden called her “a constant presence, not only in British society but internationally”.
From one royal family to another, Spain’s King Felipe VI of the Bourbon dynasty has offered his condolences to King Charles and the grieving Windsors (Saxe-Coburg-Gotha).
Her life “set an example for all of us and will remain as a solid and valuable legacy for future generations”, Felipe said in a telegram sent to her eldest son, now known as King Charles III.
“We will miss Her dearly,” he wrote, speaking for himself and his wife.
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) September 8, 2022
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More Commonwealth leaders have been talking about the Queen, with Bangladesh’s prime minister Sheikh Hasina offering Britain’s royal family “heartfelt and deep sympathies”.
Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth and the queen, who headed the grouping largely made up of former British colonies, visited the country in 1983, just over a decade after it won independence from Pakistan.
Jamaica’s prime minister Andrew Holness said:
We join our brothers and sisters in the Commonwealth in mourning her passing, and pray for the comfort of the members of her family, and the people of the United Kingdom, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Queen and matriarch.
The Queen’s kindness was also remembered at the small James Smith Cree Nation in rural Saskatchewan, which was still reeling from the deadly stabbings that occurred there Sunday.
Betty Ann Adam spoke on behalf of the James Smith Cree Nation.
Queen Elizabeth, the monarch that serves Canada has passed. She wrote a letter to James Smithe Cree Nation on behalf of the Monarch, expressing condolences to the families, the friends, the community and to the rest of the world,” Chief Wally Burns said as he listed the support that has helped to bolster the community, which lost 9 members along with a man from a neighbouring village.
The suspect was captured Wednesday and later died after going into medical distress.
US president Joe Biden said earlier that he had first met the Queen in 1982 as part of a Senate delegation before meeting her as president in 2021.
He has now visited the British embassy in Washington with the first lady Jill Biden to lay flowers in tribute to the late monarch.
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UN secretary general pays tribute to 'grace and dignity' of Queen
The United Nations general assembly held a minute’s silence for the Queen at its current meeting in New York.
António Guterres, the UN general secretary, said the Queen was admired for her grace and dignity across decades of change, and recalled how the monarch spoke movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow last year.
As the United Kingdom’s longest-lived and longest-reigning Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II was widely admired for her grace, dignity, and dedication around the world. She was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth II was a good friend of the United Nations, and visited our New York Headquarters twice, more than fifty years apart. She was deeply committed to many charitable and environmental causes and spoke movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.
I would like to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II for her unwavering, lifelong dedication to serving her people. The world will long remember her devotion and leadership.
Leaders from across the world have also been paying tribute.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said the Queen had enjoyed a “remarkable life”.
Her Majesty was an extraordinary and world-renowned public figure who lived a remarkable life. Her life and legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world. The Queen’s commitment and dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a noble and virtuous example to the entire world.
Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, said:
The Ghanaian people have very fond memories of the two visits she made to Ghana during her reign, and, on both occasions, we remember the friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties.
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Celebrities from the world’s of music and film have paid tribute to the Queen.
Sir Elton John, who performed at the Queen’s Jubilee performance at Buckingham Palace three months ago, said he was deeply saddened to hear the news.
Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing. She was an inspiring presence to be around and led the country through some of our greatest and darkest times with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth. Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.
Sir Paul McCartney said “God bless Queen Elizabeth II. May she rest in peace. Long live The King”, while Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne said: “I mourn with my country the passing of our greatest Queen. With a heavy heart I say it is devastating the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II.”
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Hello. My name is Martin Farrer and I’m taking over the blog from Nadeem.
Crowds have begun to gather outside Buckingham Palace and other royal residences around Britain as the nation gears up for 10 days of mourning.
Despite heavy rain, people massed outside the palace and laid flowers at the gates in scenes reminiscent of the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana almost exactly 25 years ago.
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The BBC has announced as a mark of respect to the Queen, it will not be going ahead with Prom 71 on 9 September or the Last Night of the Proms on 10 September.
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Sports events in the UK will hold a day of mourning for the Queen on Friday, with the third Test between England and South Africa and the PGA championship at Wentworth among the events to be paused for at least a day as a mark of respect.
All Football League fixtures on Friday and the third day of racing’s St Leger festival at Doncaster have also been called off, while the RFU will announce in the morning whether Bristol v Bath and Sale v Northampton will go ahead.
More than 5,000 miles away in California, expats and Americans alike came together to honour the Queen at a pub.
At Ye Olde Kings Head in Santa Monica, a shrine dedicated to the monarch, featuring candles, roses and pictures, was placed outside.
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Duchess of York says she is 'heartbroken"' at Queen's death
Sarah, Duchess of York, said she was “heartbroken” at the death of the Queen and praised her for “giving her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK and Commonwealth”.
She said: “I will miss her more than words can express.”
I am heartbroken by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: the most fantastic example of duty and service and steadfastness, and a constant steadying presence as our head of state for more than 70 years. pic.twitter.com/3X6Lpy98lr
— Sarah Ferguson (@SarahTheDuchess) September 8, 2022
She has given her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK & the Commonwealth.
— Sarah Ferguson (@SarahTheDuchess) September 8, 2022
To me, she was the most incredible mother-in-law and friend. I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me in remaining close to me even after my divorce.
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The Eiffel Tower is to switch off its lights at midnight.
In tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, tonight, I will turn my lights off at midnight.#QueenElizabethII
— La tour Eiffel (@LaTourEiffel) September 8, 2022
The London Eye dimmed its lights at sunset today.
In a statement, the landmark’s Twitter account said: “The London Eye will join with mourners around the world during this period of national remembrance.
“In honour of Her Majesty, we will switch off our lights from sunset this evening.”
UK theatres are also set to dim their lights and observe a minute’s silence, playing the national anthem and opening books of condolence.
While other sights dimmed their lights, New York’s Empire State building lit up in regal purple.
Tonight, our tower lights will shine in purple and sparkle in silver to honor the life and legacy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/qIpk7lQgbc
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) September 8, 2022
Mourners gather outside Windsor Castle.
Leaders of Sinn Fein, the Irish republican party which has made a political journey to the mainstream from having been the political wing of a terrorist group that waged a violent campaign for decades against the British state, have joined others in passing on condolences to the Royal Family.
Sinn Fein’s vice president Michelle O’Neill said she had learned of the death of the Queen with “deep regret,” tweeting: “The British people will miss the leadership she gave as monarch,” she tweeted.
“I would like to offer my sincere sympathies and condolences to her children, and wider family as they come to terms with their grief,” added O’Neill, who is also currently the First Minister designate of Northern Ireland’s power sharing administration, which is currently suspended
“I wish to especially acknowledge the profound sorrow of our neighbours from within the unionist community who will feel her loss deeply.
“Personally, I am grateful for Queen Elizabeth’s significant contribution and determined efforts to advancing peace and reconciliation.”
Mary Lou McDonald, the Dublin-based leader of Sinn Fein, where the party is polling heavily and widely expected to enter government, said on Twitter: “To the Royal Family and all who mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth, especially Irish Unionists, I extend sincere sympathy.”
The message, which was retweeted by the party’s former president, Gerry Adams, added: “She lived a long, full life. In her lifetime relationships between our countries were changed and changing. I salute her contribution to this transformation.”
The messages of sympathy came as the the party also sent out an email to members warning them to behave on social media on a day when emotions will have been running particularly high among members of Northern Ireland’s unionist community.
An email stated, which included a link to the party’s social media guidelines, stated: “All Sinn Fein activists are reminded that it is important to respectful, accurate, legally sound, use appropriate language, avoid using any forms of personal abuse and be in line with party policy when engaging on social media.”
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Here is an explainer on the protocol for the next 10 days.
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The Department for Education (DfE) has said schools and further education colleges in England should remain open as normal during the official mourning period following the Queen’s death, until further notice.
In a message to principals and heads, the DfE said it would issue further guidance on closures after details of the funeral are confirmed by the Royal household.
The DfE said: “Schools and Further Education settings should remain open. While normal attendance is expected, headteachers continue to have the power to authorise leaves of absence for pupils in exceptional circumstances.”
It said schools may want to “consider conducting special activities, holding assemblies or adapting planned lessons” to commemorate the Queen’s life during the mourning period.
Dame Helen Mirren, who portrayed the Queen on the silver screen and on the stage, described the monarch as the “epitome of nobility”.
In a post on Instagram, the Oscar-winning British actor said: “I am proud to be an Elizabethan. We mourn a woman, who, with or without the crown, was the epitome of nobility.”
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Here is a piece from my colleague Robert Booth on how royal symbols will now gradually change.
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Here is more details on the new king paying tribute to his “beloved mother” in a statement declaring the death of the Queen to be “a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family”.
The first statement “from His Majesty the King” said: “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
In remarks released just half an hour after Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen, 96, had died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon, Charles, 73, said: “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.”
The premier of Bermuda, David Burt, has paid the following tribute:
“A life of undimmed duty, a model of strength and devotion to country...
“Queen Elizabeth’s reign has spanned decades of such immense change for the United Kingdom and the world.
“The recognition of her longevity and the significance of her service affords this consequential reign a unique place in history.
“Beyond the role which the Queen fulfilled for these 70 years within the UK and the Commonwealth, she was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and her family is now mourning that loss.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I express sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom.”
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King Charles expected to have audience with PM on Friday
King Charles III is expected to have an audience with the prime minister on Friday.
He is also expected to address the nation and the Commonwealth.
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The House of Commons will sit at noon on Friday for MPs to pay tribute to the Queen in a session due to last until 10pm.
There will also be a rare Saturday sitting where senior MPs will take the oath to King Charles III from 2pm with tributes continuing again until 10pm.
Legoland theme park in Windsor has announced it will be closing on Friday out of respect for the Queen’s death.
We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with all the Royal Family at this deeply sad time.
— LEGOLAND Windsor (@LEGOLANDWindsor) September 8, 2022
Out of respect the Resort will be closed tomorrow. If you're due to visit you will receive an email about your booking. pic.twitter.com/5vJlqUgIXv
Department store Selfridges in London said it would not open its doors on Friday.
The company closed early on Thursday and said it would remain closed all day Friday before reopening at the weekend.
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The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsanaro, said the country would be holding three days of official mourning in honour of the Queen.
He described the monarch as not just the Queen of England but a “Queen to all of us”, adding that she was an “extraordinary and unique woman, whose example of leadership, humility and love for (her) homeland will continue to inspire us and the whole world until the end of time”.
Her Majesty the Queen
— Government of Brazil (@govbrazil) September 8, 2022
1926 - 2022 pic.twitter.com/SiA5GvgDPP
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The first sign that a major event was afoot came at midday during PMQs, when Nadhim Zahawi, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, came into the House of Commons chamber shortly after noon and began briefing as she sat listening to the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, respond to her statement on energy plans.
Here is a timeline of other key moments from a dramatic day:
12.30pm: Buckingham Palace issued a statement declaring that doctors were concerned about the health of the Queen and had recommended the 96-year-old remain under medical supervision.
12.35pm: The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, interrupted the speech of Scottish National party’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, during the debate to tell MPs: “I know I speak on behalf of the entire house when I say that we send our best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and that she and the royal family are in our thoughts and prayers at this moment.”
12.39pm: The prime minister issued a statement in which she said that “the whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime”. She added: “My thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty the Queen and her family at this time.” Scheduled programming on the BBC was interrupted before the national broadcaster turned to rolling news coverage.
1pm: Reports emerged that senior members of the royal family were travelling to Balmoral to join the Queen and Prince Charles. As senior politicians and leaders from around the world began issuing statements wishing the Queen well, members of the public were gathering at locations including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
4.30pm: Truss was informed by the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, that the Queen had died.
5pm: After a flight to Scotland from RAF Northolt, a cortege carrying members of the royal family was seen arriving at Balmoral. Prince William was seen at the wheel of a Range Rover, which also carried Prince Andrew as well as Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Earl of Wessex.
6.30pm: Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen had died at the age of 96. “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” it began, before the news was quickly broken to Britain and the world by media organisations.
6.40pm An official statement announcing the Queen’s death was placed outside Buckingham Palace, where crowds of people had already been gathering for some hours.
7.04pm: Buckingham Palace issued the first statement by King Charles as monarch, in which he spoke about the death of his mother. He said: “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother.”
7.05pm: Speaking outside Downing Street, Truss hailed the Queen as the “rock on which modern Britain was built”, as she led tributes to the country’s longest-serving monarch.
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Police have removed barriers blocking the gates to Balmoral Castle, to allow the public to lay flowers for the Queen.
The area had been blocked off as members of the royal family arrived earlier including the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex.
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Hundreds of people gathered outside Buckingham Palace after the news of the Queen’s death emerged.
Emotions ran high as the crowd sang God Save the Queen and, for her son Charles, God Save the King:
Flags will fly at half mast on UK government buildings in tribute to the Queen from now until the morning after her funeral.
All such flags, which include union flags and any national flag, are to be “half masted on all UK government buildings as soon as possible today until 0800 the day following the Queen’s state funeral”, government guidance states.
It also advises that any non-official flags, which include for example the rainbow flag or Armed Forces flag, should be taken down and replaced with a Union Flag flying at half mast.
The union flag on Buckingham Palace was at half mast on Thursday while a framed plaque announcing the Queen’s death was placed on the front gates by royal household staff.
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Australian PM pays tribute to the Queen
The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said “an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end”.
“The government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the royal family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother—the person whom for so long was their greatest inner strength.
“Australian hearts go out to the people of the United Kingdom who mourn today, knowing they will feel they have lost part of what makes their nation whole.
There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”
“This is a loss we all feel, for few have known a world without Queen Elizabeth II.”
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Here are some further tributes from world leaders.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has sent his condolences to Britain after the “irreparable loss” of Queen Elizabeth II.
The president of the Irish Republic, Michael D Higgins, expressed his “profound regret and a deep personal sadness” at the Queen’s death.
“Her Majesty served the British people with exceptional dignity. Her personal commitment to her role and extraordinary sense of duty were the hallmarks of her period as Queen, which will hold a unique place in British history.”
The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, said the Netherlands remember the Queen “with the deepest respect”.
“During her especially long reign, she was a beacon of calm and stability for her country and the world, even at moments of the greatest historical upheaval ... Today our thoughts are first and foremost with her children and grandchildren.”
The prime minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, sent her “deepest condolences to the royal family, people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth”.
President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, called the Queen “a close friend”.
“I extend my sincere condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II and the people of the UK,” he tweeted.
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Public expected to be able to pay respects at Queen's coffin in St Giles' cathedral in Edinburgh
People will be able to pay their respects to the Queen as the monarch’s coffin is expected to lie in rest for 24 hours at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, the PA news agency reports.
It is expected that members of the public will be allowed into the cathedral to file past the coffin when it resides there in about three days’ time.
After news of the Queen’s death was announced, Rev Calum MacLeod, minister of the cathedral, paid tribute to such a “strong and faithful servant”.
In a message on the cathedral’s website, he said: “With the whole nation, we at St Giles’ Cathedral mourn the death of HM the Queen, strong and faithful servant to the UK and Commonwealth for so many years.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the royal family.”
Members of the royal family will be expected in the coming days to hold a vigil around the Queen’s coffin in St Giles.
A service will be held in the cathedral and the Queen’s children are expected to stage a vigil around the Queen’s coffin – known as the Vigil of the Princes – while it lies in there.
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The death of the Queen means that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, is now technically a prince – a title which his mother, Meghan, had claimed was denied to him because of his race.
His younger sister, Lilibet “Lili” Mountbatten-Windsor, is also entitled to be a princess after the death and the accession of her grandfather, the Prince of Wales, to the throne.
Meghan had spoken during an interview last year with the US broadcaster, Oprah Winfrey, of her shock at being told he would not get police protection because he did not have a title, and suggested that the decision was taken because of his mixed race.
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Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky said he learned the news “with deep sadness”.
He said: “On behalf of the people, we extend sincere condolences to the (royal family), the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
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Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, wrote on Twitter: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our times.
“She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people.
“She personified dignity and decency in public life. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and people of UK in this sad hour.”
I had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK visits in 2015 and 2018. I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture. pic.twitter.com/3aACbxhLgC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2022
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UK prime minister informed of the Queen's death at 4.30pm
Liz Truss was informed of the Queen’s death at 4.30pm, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said.
The UK’s prime minister was told the news by the cabinet secretary, Simon Case.
Following her statement in Downing Street, Truss spoke to King Charles III and she is also expected to chair a meeting of ministers at 9pm.
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Theresa May, the former UK prime minister, has tweeted this tribute:
Statement on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/OIjnyPu4sI
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) September 8, 2022
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The website for Harry and Meghan’s Archewell foundation is displaying a tribute with the words: “In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022.”
In Washington, DC, the Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, spoke on the Senate floor following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
He said: “Today we take a solemn and sombre pause.
“A few minutes ago, we learned the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history.
“I join with Leader [Mitch] McConnell, with my Senate colleagues, and with all Americans to offer deepest sympathies and prayers to the royal family and to the people of the United Kingdom.”
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German chancellor says Queen 'will be missed, not least her wonderful humour'
Here are some more tributes from world leaders.
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “We mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She was a role model and inspiration for millions, also here in Germany.
“Her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II will remain unforgotten. She will be missed, not least her wonderful humour.
Portugal’s prime minister, António Costa, said: “It is with sadness that we learn the news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her 70-year long reign has marked British history since the second world war.
“My sincere condolences to the royal family and to the people of the United Kingdom.”
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Church bells to be tolled for Queen Elizabeth II across England on Friday
The Church of England has said church bells are expected to be tolled across England tomorrow.
Parish churches, chapels and cathedrals are being encouraged to toll their bells and open for prayer or special services following the announcement from Buckingham Palace.
Guidance from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers recommends tolling bells for one hour from noon tomorrow.
General guidance for parish churches on marking the passing of the sovereign, which is available online and being shared with parishes through dioceses, also contains advice on flying flags at half-mast and opening books of condolence.
Liturgies for official commemorative services and special prayers will also be made available.
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Our Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, has posted these tweets of well-wishers outside Balmoral laying flowers.
Well-wishers laying flowers at bridge leading to #balmoral in the fading twilight pic.twitter.com/Mhdw0GbHIr
— Severin Carrell (@severincarrell) September 8, 2022
Five simple posies of flowers have been left on the granite bridge leading over the Dee to #Balmoral #Queen pic.twitter.com/37MDeSMk1b
— Severin Carrell (@severincarrell) September 8, 2022
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Floral tributes outside Sandringham.
Crowds are gathering in front of Buckingham Palace.
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William and Kate now Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge
The Twitter account for William and Kate now refers to the couple as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
They had previously been known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge but they now appear to have taken on the titles once reserved for Charles and Camilla.
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An official in Emmanuel Macron’s office said flags at the Élysée palace in Paris would fly at half-mast tomorrow and on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
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Here is the full statement the UK’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, made outside Downing Street:
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All parliamentary business at Holyrood has been suspended as a mark of respect following the Queen’s death of Her Majesty The Queen.
Holyrood’s presiding officer, Alison Johnstone MSP, said: “On behalf of the Scottish parliament, I convey our deepest and most sincere condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and the royal family following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. This is a day of great sadness for the whole country and a time of deeply personal grief for the royal family.
“The Queen was an extraordinary woman, who led an extraordinary life of service. From the day that this parliament was established in 1999, Her Majesty showed her unwavering support for the institution and the time and importance she gave to that relationship is hugely appreciated.”
The flags at the Scottish parliament have also been lowered as a mark of respect.
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New Zealand, a Commonwealth nation, will make arrangements shortly for a state memorial service, its prime minister Jacinda Ardern said. The country’s representation at Her Majesty’s funeral will be confirmed shortly.
The Queen visited New Zealand 10 times, the first over the summer of 1953-54 when she and Duke of Edinburgh visited 46 centres and attended 110 functions.
“She was here to celebrate with us at events such as the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games and the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games,” Ardern said in a statement. “She also mourned with us when we were hit by terrible tragedies such as the Tangiwai rail disaster and the February 2011 earthquake.
Ardern added: “I know a number of New Zealanders who had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty were struck by her keen interest, warmth and sense of humour. I remember in my very first meeting with Her Majesty being humbled by her intimate knowledge of New Zealand and its triumphs and challenges.
“I presented her with a gift from a New Zealander who had kept a photo of her visit more than 50 years prior. She recalled where it was taken and even what had made her laugh at the moment the photo was taken.”
Flags will fly at half mast in New Zealand to mark Her Majesty’s death. The new king becomes the country’s head of state immediately.
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Donald Trump, the 45th president of the US, and former first lady Melania Trump, said: “Melania and I will always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor. What a grand and beautiful lady she was—there was nobody like her!
“Our thoughts and prayers will remain with the great people of the United Kingdom as you honor her most meaningful life and exceptional service to the people.
“May God bless the Queen, may she reign forever in our hearts, and may God hold her and Prince Philip in abiding care.”
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Clarence House has confirmed that Charles will be known by the regnal name of King Charles III.
Boris Johnson, who was replaced as the UK’s prime minister on Tuesday, has tweeted:
Statement on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1/3) pic.twitter.com/kDN6cW8Njp
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) September 8, 2022
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The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, tweeted that he was “incredibly sad to hear of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II”.
He added: “As our longest reigning monarch, she firmly upheld the values and traditions of the British Monarchy.
“On behalf of the people of Wales I offer our deepest condolences to Her Majesty’s family during this sad time.”
Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
— Mark Drakeford 🏴 (@MarkDrakeford) September 8, 2022
As our longest reigning monarch, she firmly upheld the values and traditions of the British Monarchy.
On behalf of the people of Wales I offer our deepest condolences to Her Majesty's family during this sad time. pic.twitter.com/XnnqK5Tf6j
The Llywydd – the Welsh parliament’s equivalent of the speaker in the House of Commons, paid tribute to the Queen’s “lifelong commitment to public service”
Elin Jones said: “Queen Elizabeth II served the United Kingdom with a dignity that endeared her to millions around the world.
“She reigned during a time that has seen great constitutional and social change in our country. She attended every Senedd opening ceremony since its inception, reflecting her recognition of this parliament’s contribution to Welsh life.”
All Senedd business is suspended and the Senedd’s flags will be flown at half-mast.
Adam Price, the leader of Plaid Cymru, said: “Her Majesty the Queen’s long reign saw a period of immense change for Wales, the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.
“Her deeply held sense of duty was recognised by millions across the globe, and many will remember her as a figure which provided comfort, stability and continuity during times of crisis.”
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US president Joe Biden also offered this anecdote:
“We first met the Queen in 1982, traveling to the UK as part of a Senate delegation.
“And we were honored that she extended her hospitality to us in June 2021 during our first overseas trip as President and First Lady, where she charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared with us her wisdom.
“All told, she met 14 American presidents. She helped Americans commemorate both the anniversary of the founding of Jamestown and the bicentennial of our independence.
“And she stood in solidarity with the United States during our darkest days after 9/11, when she poignantly reminded us that ‘Grief is the price we pay for love.’
“In the years ahead, we look forward to continuing a close friendship with the King and the Queen Consort.”
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President Biden pays tribute to the Queen
The US president, Joe Biden, and first lady, Jill Biden, said the Queen “was more than a monarch. She defined an era.”
“In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her.
“An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth. The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity.
“She was the first British monarch to whom people all around the world could feel a personal and immediate connection—whether they heard her on the radio as a young princess speaking to the children of the United Kingdom, or gathered around their televisions for her coronation, or watched her final Christmas speech or her platinum jubilee on their phones. And she, in turn, dedicated her whole life to their service.”
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Her Majesty was “a monarch with an unwavering sense of duty”, said New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, who expressed her country’s “deep sadness” at Queen Elizabeth’s death.
“People throughout the world will be feeling an acute sense of loss at this time and New Zealanders most certainly share that grief,” said Ardern. “The Queen was a much respected constant through unprecedented global change.”
Ardern said in a statement: “The Queen was a much loved and admired monarch, whose record reign of 70 years is an absolute testament to her, and her commitment to us all. She was extraordinary.
“People throughout the world will be feeling an acute sense of loss at this time and New Zealanders most certainly share that grief. The Queen was a much respected constant through unprecedented global change.”
She offered her “deepest sympathy” to members of the Royal Family on behalf of New Zealand, a Commonwealth country.
“To us she was a much admired and respected monarch, to them she was a mother and grandmother,” Ardern said.
Barack Obama, the former US president, said: “Michelle and I were lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us.
“Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as president and first lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity.
“Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humor and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance.
“Like so many, Michelle and I are grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty’s dedicated leadership, and we are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service.
“Our thoughts are with her family and the people of the United Kingdom at this difficult time.”
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George W Bush, the former US president, has said he and his wife Laura “were honoured to have known Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
He said in a statement: “She was a woman of great intellect, charm, and wit.
“Spending time at Buckingham Palace, and having tea with Her Majesty – and her corgis – is among our fondest memories of the presidency.
“Queen Elizabeth ably led England through dark moments with her confidence in her people and her vision for a brighter tomorrow.
“Our world benefitted from her steady resolve, and we are grateful for her decades of service as sovereign. Americans in particular appreciate her strong and steadfast friendship.
“Laura and I join our fellow citizens in sending our heartfelt condolences to the Royal family and the British people.”
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Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the UK, said: “We are all deeply mourning the profound loss of a great monarch, who served our country so faithfully all her life and who was loved the world over.
“For many people, including myself, the Queen was an ever-fixed mark in our lives.
“As the world changed around us and politicians came and went, the Queen was our nation’s constant.”
Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, has also paid tribute.
The death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth is a profoundly sad moment for the UK, the Commonwealth and the world.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 8, 2022
Her life was one of extraordinary dedication and service.
On behalf of the people of Scotland, I convey my deepest condolences to The King and the Royal Family. https://t.co/o2XqGJMF2S
The Irish taoiseach, Micheál Martin, has described The Queen’s reign as “one of historic duration, immense consequence and a focus of respect and admiration around the world.
“Her dedication to duty and public service were self-evident and her wisdom and experience truly unique.
“The Queen’s passing is indeed the end of an era.
“Her state visit to Ireland in 2011 marked a crucial step in the normalisation of relations with our nearest neighbour.
“That visit was a great success, largely because of the many gracious gestures and warm remarks made by the Queen during her time in Ireland.
“Her popularity with the Irish people was also very evident and clearly made a very positive impact on the Queen.
“In particular, I recall the warmth of the welcome she received from the public in Cork during her walkabout at the English Market.”
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Bill Clinton, the former US president, has tweeted this tribute:
My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and all the people Her Majesty inspired throughout her lifetime of service. pic.twitter.com/r5pjncyCu8
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 8, 2022
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Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour party, said: “Today, we mourn the passing of a remarkable sovereign.
“It is a deep, private loss for the Royal Family and all our thoughts are with them at this time. The nation shares in their grief.
“We will always treasure Queen Elizabeth II’s life of service and devotion to our nation and the Commonwealth; our longest-serving and greatest monarch.
“Above the clashes of politics, she stood not for what the nation fought over, but what it agreed upon. As Britain changed rapidly around her, this dedication became the still point of our turning world.
“So as our great Elizabethan era comes to an end, we will honour the late Queen’s memory by keeping alive the values of public service she embodied.
“For 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II stood as the head of our country. But, in spirit, she stood amongst us.”
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The Belgian prime minister, Alexander De Croo, has paid the following tribute: “Belgium sends its condolences to the British Royal Family and to the British people.
“May HRH Queen Elizabeth II Rest In Peace. For over 70 years, she was a beacon of stability and dignity for the British people.”
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French president Macron pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years.”
“I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.
“I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.”
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As is traditional, officials brought a notice confirming the Queen’s death to the gates of Buckingham Palace.
A large crowd gathered to read it, and Royal Parks staff constructed pens from metal barriers to control the public.
Those gathered broke into the national anthem outside Buckingham Palace with many weeping after the flag was lowered to half mast.
Truss said the nation offers King Charles III our “loyalty and devotion”.
She ended her statement with the words: “God save the King.”
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Truss also called for people to support King Charles III “to help him bear the awesome responsibility that he now carries for us all”.
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Truss said it was “a day of great loss” but that the Queen would leave a great legacy.
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King Charles III makes first statement as monarch after death of his mother
King Charles has made a statement about the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.
He said: “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother.”
A statement from His Majesty The King: pic.twitter.com/AnBiyZCher
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
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Truss added the Queen provided her with stability and strength we needed, “and the very spirit of Great Britain and that spirit will endure”.
She adds she was a personal inspiration to her and said she was determined to carry out her duties when she appointed her prime minister earlier this week.
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Truss said the Queen championed the development of the Commonwealth and “we are now a modern, thriving dynamic nation”.
Liz Truss pays tribute to the Queen outside Downing Street
The prime minister, Liz Truss, has said the Queen’s death is a “huge shock to the nation and the world”.
Truss said the Queen was “the rock on which modern Britain was built and our country has flourished under her reign”.
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National rail strikes planned for two days next week have been called off by trade unions.
Additional train services are instead expected to be put on to London to allow the public to travel to mourn the Queen.
The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said his union “joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth”.
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As the nation begins a period of mourning, royal residences that are open to the public will be closed.
It is expected bells of Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral will toll their bells at midday.
It is expected ceremonial gun salutes will be fired in London in Hyde Park and at Tower Hill.
Standing outside the gates of Balmoral as the sombre news of the Queen’s death was announced were two accident and emergency nurses from Portsmouth.
Samantha Cole and Tina Ferry had driven over from the Scottish coastal town of Peterhead where they are on holiday after hearing the news on the radio.
Ferry said: “It’s a moment in history; it’s like Diana. You will always remember where you were when it happened. I hope she hasn’t suffered and she passed away peacefully.”
Cole, standing beside her in a bright red coat, said she had always loved the royal family and had met Prince Charles when she lived in New Zealand.
She also won tickets in a ballot to stand in Pall Mall in London to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. “When you live abroad you realise that the Queen and the royal family are loved everywhere. But you also realise how British you are when things happen, such as royal birthday parties and things like that.”
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Prime minister due to make statement at Downing Street
Prime minister Liz Truss is due to make a statement at Downing Street on the Queen’s death shortly.
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Sir Tony Blair, the UK prime minister between 1997 and 2007, said: “We have lost not just our monarch but the matriarch of our nation, the figure who more than any other brought our country together, kept us in touch with our better nature, personified everything which makes us proud to be British.”
The Lord Speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith, said “the nation and the whole Commonwealth is united in deep mourning.”
“On behalf of the House of Lords, I extend our thoughts and prayers, first and foremost, to His Majesty the King and the other members of her family.
“Her Majesty’s supreme dedication to public service is unparalleled and her legacy will be eternal. Today the nation should reflect on the service she gave to the Crown and to her people, and to give thanks for her life.”
Charles Michel, president of the European Council, has tweeted this tribute:
Our thoughts are with the royal family and all those who mourn Queen Elizabeth II in the UK and worldwide.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) September 8, 2022
Once called Elizabeth the Steadfast, she never failed to show us the importance of lasting values in a modern world with her service and commitment. pic.twitter.com/NZj3qcyhU7
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has paid tribute to the Queen:
“On 21 April 1947, on her 21st birthday, Princess Elizabeth said, ‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.’
“Now, 75 years later, we are heartbroken in our loss at her death, and so full of admiration for the unfailing way in which she fulfilled that declaration.
“Even in my sorrow, shared with so many around the world, I am filled with an immense sense of gratitude for the gift to the world that has been the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
“At this time, we pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty. We do so with confidence, because the Christian faith marked every day of her life and activity.”
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The Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, said the Queen’s death was a “terrible loss for us all”, adding: “We will miss her beyond measure.”
He said: “For all of us, the Queen has been a constant presence in our lives – as familiar as a member of the family, yet one who has exercised a calm and steadying influence over our country. Most of us have never known a time when she was not there.
“Her death is not only a tragedy for the royal family, but a terrible loss for us all.
“During her 70 years on the throne - and even before that, as a teenager, reassuring and engaging with children and families disrupted by the Second World War - she has given our lives a sense of equilibrium.”
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Tributes are now coming in for the Queen from around the world. Sir John Major, the former UK prime minister, said: “For 70 years Her Majesty The Queen devoted her life to the service of our nation and its wellbeing.
“In her public duties she was selfless and wise, with a wonderful generosity of spirit. That is how she lived – and how she led.
“For millions of people – across the Commonwealth and the wider world – she embodied the heart and soul of our nation, and was admired and respected around the globe.
“At this moment of deep sadness, I believe we all stand hand in hand with the royal family as they grieve the loss of one so loved.
“For we have all lost someone very precious to us and, as we mourn, we should be grateful that we were blessed with such an example of duty and leadership for so very many years.”
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The Prince of Wales is now king and head of state, and the Duchess of Cornwall is now queen consort.
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Flags on the royal palaces have been lowered to half-mast to mark the death of the Queen.
Royal staff attached a notice of Elizabeth II’s death to the gates of Buckingham Palace, where crowds were gathering to pay tribute and lay flowers:
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The Queen’s funeral will, according to tradition, be a state funeral, a rare honour mostly reserved for the sovereign.
The only monarch not to be given a state funeral in the last 295 years was Edward VIII, who abdicated.
State funerals have, on rare occasions, by order of the monarch and by a vote in Parliament providing the funds, been held for distinguished figures including Sir Isaac Newton, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill.
The last state funeral in the UK was Churchill’s in 1965 and the last state funeral for a sovereign was for the Queen’s father, George VI, in 1952.
State funerals are the responsibility of the Earl Marshal and the College of Arms, and are publicly funded.
Prince Charles becomes king immediately
The Prince of Wales becomes king immediately, though his official coronation will not take place for some time.
It is expected Charles will hold his first audience with the prime minister some time today.
A formal proclamation will be made as soon as practicably possible at an accession council at St James’s Palace.
Members of the privy council, which advises the monarch on matters of state, will be summoned. Traditionally invitees include members of the House of Lords, the lord mayor, aldermen and other leading citizens of the City of London, as well as the high commissioners in London of member nations of the Commonwealth.
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The official plans for her death, codenamed London Bridge, will now be activated.
The nation and other countries of which she was head of state will enter a 10-day period of mourning.
Details of her state funeral, accorded to monarchs, will be announced in due course, after being officially signed off by the king.
Tradition dictates that the framed formal announcement of her death is affixed to the railings at Buckingham Palace.
Ceremonial gun salutes will be fired as a mark of respect as royal residences open to the public will close.
Sam Knight wrote about the plans:
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The flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half mast at 6.30pm.
Here is the announcement from the royal family.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
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Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, has died.
Prince Charles, heir to the throne since the age of three, is now king, and will be officially proclaimed at St James’s Palace in London as soon as practicably possible.
Flags on landmark buildings in Britain and across the Commonwealth were being lowered to half mast as a period of official mourning was announced.
As Queen of the UK and 15 other realms, and head of the 54-nation Commonwealth, Elizabeth II was easily the world’s most recognisable head of state during an extraordinarily long reign.
Coming to the throne at the age of 25, she successfully steered the monarchy through many squalls during decades of turbulent change, with her personal popularity providing ballast during the institution’s more difficult times.
Fifteen prime ministers served her, attesting to her extraordinary knowledge, experience of world affairs and mastery of political neutrality.
There were undoubted low points, but the mass outpouring of affection demonstrated on her silver, golden and diamond jubilees testified to the special place she held in the nation’s heart.
And she regarded her role as a life-long duty. In her silver jubilee message in 1977, the Queen said: “When I was 21, I pledged my life to the service of our people, and asked for God’s help to make that vow. Although that vow was made in my salad days, when I was green in judgment, I do not regret nor retract one word of it.”
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