King Charles III: How his first day as monarch unfolded  

Thank you very much for joining us today, as the world continues to pay tribute to the Queen. 

Our coverage continues here, where you can watch King Charles's first address to the nation.

I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given.

God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.

It's understood the King will hold an audience with the full Cabinet tomorrow at around 2.30pm.

The King and Queen waved from the state Rolls Royce to well-wishers who lined the roads as they left Buckingham Palace.

Church bells tolled and flags flew at half mast in Sydney as Australians paid their respects to their Queen and head of state, writes Roger Maynard in Sydney.

Outside it was a normally busy Friday lunchtime, but hundreds  of people took the time to file into Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral to sign a book of condolence and attend a short service in memory of the monarch.

 The Dean, the Very Reverend Sandy Grant, who observed that the Queen first visited the Anglican cathedral in l954, said his thoughts were with her family.

“They will be mourning a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother and we all just feel sorry for them,” he added.

It was a sentiment shared by many, including several British migrants who were among those who had queued in the damp conditions to pay their respects.

Annie Grennell, who was born in South Shields before moving to Australia 22 years ago, described the Queen’s death as a “huge loss.”

“We never thought that the day would come that she wasn’t in our lives – I think we always thought she was immortal,” she added.

“The Queen stood for so much including her kindness, her wisdom, her humanity and strength, but it was her devotion to duty that was paramount.”

 Sarah Hurley, who migrated to Australia from Devon two decades ago, admitted, ”I am heartbroken and so is my daughter.”

Senior politicians have started to arrive at St Paul’s Cathedral for a special memorial service for the Queen, writes Louisa Clarence-Smith.

Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland and Lord Nicholas True, Leader of the House of Lords are the first to have been spotted by The Telegraph. Thousands of members of the public are queuing to join them.

The chair of the Fourth Plinth commissioning group has said that all activity will be temporarily paused during the national period of mourning.

A sculpture created by Samson Kambalu was due to be unveiled by the group on September 14 but this will now be rescheduled.

Chair of the commissioning group, Ekow Eshun, said in a statement: "The Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group are deeply saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II and would like to pay tribute to her lifetime of support and patronage for the arts and cultural world.

"We join the nation in conveying our sincerest sympathy to the Royal Family at this difficult time.

"As a mark of respect, all activity for the Fourth Plinth will be temporarily paused for the period of National Mourning and the unveiling of the new sculpture by Samson Kambalu planned for Wednesday September 14 2022 will be rescheduled."

Schools and shops will not close following the death of the Queen, writes our Political Correspondent Camilla Turner.

Courts will also remain open during the mourning period. 

By Friday morning, no decision had been made about whether there will be an additional bank holiday. 

The Department for Education said schools and colleges in England should remain open as normal during the mourning period.

In a message to headteachers, officials from the department said it would issue further guidance after details of the funeral are confirmed by the royal household.

Headteachers were told: “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.”

The message from DfE went on to suggest that schools may want to “consider conducting special activities, holding assemblies or adapting planned lessons” to commemorate the Queen’s life. 

Shops will generally remain open throughout the mourning period although some may choose to close on the day of the funeral, particularly if they are close to the route of the procession. 

Our writer Abigail Buchanan is at Sandringham for us. Here's the latest.

Standing at the edge of the Sandringham estate, you wouldn’t know anything had happened. It is quiet, peaceful and closed off - apart from the main gate. A crowd of around a hundred people have gathered there to pay their respects, having walked on foot from the police barrier further down the road. The gate is fringed with hundreds of flowers, handwritten messages and portraits. 

John Houston, 72, has been standing guard at the gate in his merchant navy uniform since 9am, and met the late Queen and Prince Philip on several occasions at Sandringham. “The ladies here have been keeping me supplied with coffee and cake,” he says. “I used to be standard bearer for the British Legion, and quite often used to do services for the Queen and Prince Philip here. She was a lovely lady. She was very down to earth. Philip and I used to have quite a few jokes together, given he was ex-Navy was well.” 

Most of those gathered here are locals, including parents and children who have come straight from school clutching cellophaned bunches of flowers. But there are people who have come from further afield. Amy, 32, is Australian - she is staying with relatives nearby and has come to “pay her respects. She was our Queen too,” she says. “She was well-loved.” 

Theresa May, interviewed on Sky News, praised Queen Elizabeth's  "down to earth, common sense approach" in paying tribute to the late monarch. 

She said while the late Queen took big issues seriously, this was balanced by her "mischievous nature", a "twinkle in the eye" and a "sense of fun". 

Max Stephens is in Balmoral for us. He's been talking to mourners.

Brenda O’ Mara, 82, who visited Balmoral with her daughter Amanda Harris, 57, fondly remembered watching Queen Elizabeth II's coronation as an 11-year-old girl. 

“We didn’t have television back then so me and all of my friends had to cram ourselves into our local cinema. 

"It is such a lovely thing to look back on and realise all she has done.

Her daughter Amanda, a retired Ministry of Defence official, said they made the hour-long drive from Gourdon "out of loyalty to such a wonderful woman". 

Ms O'Mara, who grew up in Pembrokeshire, Wales, said she felt "so bloomin' dreadful" when she heard of Her Majesty's passing. 

"King Charles, that is going to take some getting used to," she quipped before the pair left. 

Vic Neill, who drove the late Prince Philip in his carriage on more than a dozen occasions, recalled how the royal rescued a runaway horse after he accidentally crashed the vehicle. 

"This was in the early 1990s, I was driving Philip and hit a hazard toppling the whole thing over. 

"He ran after one of the horses who had bolted and bought it back to me."

"I was a bit embarrassed about the whole thing." 

A peer recalled having been "lucky enough to be brought up for the early part of my life" in Balmoral and his memories of the Queen.

The Earl of Caithness told the Lords: "Yes, Her Majesty was the Queen, but to me she was a mother. To any boy aged six as I was then, she was primarily a mother, she was a mother that drove her children over to play with us occasionally, she was a mother who behaved as every other mum that I knew did."

The Conservative hereditary peer recalled dancing "a dance totally different to everybody else in the room" with his sister as a child, and remarked how the Queen came over and joined them, concluding: "I would like to thank you Ma'am for all those wonderful happy memories and a great life."

Conservative former minister Lord Wolfson of Tredegar remarked that as a senior barrister he was now a King's Counsel, rather than a Queen's Counsel, as he paid tribute to the monarch's record of doing good deeds, describing it as a life of "mitzvah".

Wearing a kippah as well as a black suit and tie, he added: "We have closed one book, a long and good book which we have had with us for so many years, and we are about to open another. As we all pray that God Save our King, I will also pray that he too may enjoy a reign of mitzvah, of doing the right thing, for that now is his duty."

Mourners are beginning to take their seats in St Paul's Cathedral for the service of prayer and reflection which will begin at 6pm.

All 2,000 wristbands for Friday evening's service at St Paul's Cathedral were distributed to members of the public within three hours, a cathedral spokeswoman said.

Thousands of mourners huddled under umbrellas as rain poured down outside Buckingham Palace on Friday.

Undeterred by the elements, the public continued to congregate and pay their respects to the Queen.

Parents shielded their children from the rain under large umbrellas, while others braved the downpour by raising their jackets above their heads.

More from Helen Chandler-Wilde from Windsor.

Elaine Long, 55, came from nearby Bourne End to lay flowers with her daughter Freya, 19.

The pair are dressed in black and move slowly to put their flowers down, retreating from the display with tears rolling down their cheeks.

“We felt we needed to be here”, said Ms Long, who said she had seen the Queen in the flesh at Ascot.

“It feels like someone I’ve lost in my family because she has always been there throughout my life.

“I’m quite surprised how upset I am.

“We needed to [come here] as part of the process to accept it has happened.”

Her daughter Freya should be at work as a spa receptionist. But given the circumstances, and after a night when she hardly slept, it felt impossible. 

“I felt today it was my duty to show my respects”, she said.

The King has held his first in-person audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss at Buckingham Palace.

The first official rendition of God Save the King will be sung at St Paul's Cathedral at the end of a memorial service for the Queen.

The lyrics to the national anthem will change from "Queen" to "King" and "her victorious" to "him victorious" to mark that King Charles III has now taken over as monarch.

It comes after crowds spontaneously sang the version of the song outside of Buckingham Palace on Friday as the King arrived with the Queen.

The anthem is also expected to be sung at the Kia Oval on Saturday as the England v South Africa Third Test Match resumes. It was paused on Friday following the Queen's death.

Members of the royal family are not expected to attend the 6pm service at St Paul's, which is open to the public and is being broadcast live by the BBC.

The contrast between Queen Elizabeth II's arrival in London when she became Queen and when the King arrived in London as the monarch is seen in these two photographs.

Our reporter Helen Chandler-Wilde is at Windsor for us today.

In Windsor, people came to pay tributes to a monarch that they heralded for both the awe of her reign, and the modesty of her life as a member of the local community.

Nicola Jacques, 53, had seen the Queen several times out and about in Windsor and at official events.

“She spoke to a lot of people and has always connected with the public”, said Ms Jacques, who came wearing a Union flag scarf and clutching red roses.

She had seen the Queen “up close” at a Buckingham Palace garden party, where she witnessed the monarch working the crowd and chatting to scores of people.

She saw her again “on the high street” in Windsor, and once more at Royal Ascot: her figure popping up often like the Queen was an acquaintance. 

The woman who kissed the King on the face, Jenny Assiminios, has described the moment she grabbed His Majesty.

She said: "I has seen him in front of me, and I asked, 'May I kiss you'."

Ms Assiminos, from Cyprus, said the King answered, "well, yes". 

 "So I grabbed him," she said. 

Asked how she felt after sharing the moment with King Charles III, she said: "Thank you for letting me see him and kiss him."

The King thanked mourners for their well wishes as he arrived at Buckingham Palace, telling one woman: "You are so kind."

King Charles III and his wife the Queen met their new subjects for the first time after flying back from Balmoral. 

The impromptu meet and greet resulted in the King spending more than 10 minutes walking down the line of people gathered to welcome him back to London. 

Both the King and Queen were met with cries of "we're so sorry for your loss". 

One mourner, Victoria Binkey, 51, from Rutland, grabbed the King's hands and kissed them, to which His Majesty responded: "You are so kind."

Ms Binkey explained later she suddenly felt the need to embrace the King, and that she had not planned on doing so.

A hundreds-strong queue winding from St Paul's to beyond the Tube station streets away has formed, as mourners arrive for the service of remembrance on Friday evening.

Attendees were dressed smartly in black suits and ties while others wore black mourning veils as they waited to take their seat inside the cathedral.

The King will take a more “entrepreneurial” approach to the way royal palaces and residences are used and could gift Balmoral to the nation, senior sources have suggested.

Read the full story here.

People climbed on top of railings and put their phones in the air in order to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen Consort.

Pat Jolly, 76, and Theresa Stafford, 74, both from Canning Town, East London, life-long best friends who came down to pay their respects to the Queen and the new King.

Ms Jolly said: "It's great and so lovely...the King coming to the palace and having a little walk about and meeting everyone."

 

Cheers rang out at Buckingham Palace as the King and Queen arrived, along with shouts of "God save the King".

Many people held their phones aloft to try to catch a glimpse of them as they greeted members of the crowd and look at the tributes left for the Queen as the sun shone.

Colin Hennessy, 52, said: "It's great to see the King.

"You can see he's very emotional but he was very grateful to everybody here.

"He thanked as many people as he could as he walked by."

Around 10,000 police officers could be on duty every day in London in the lead up to the Queen's funeral as part of the biggest security operation the country has ever seen.

Former Metropolitan Police commander Bob Broadhurst, who led the policing operation for the London 2012 Olympics, said all leave and training is likely to be cancelled and extra help called in from surrounding forces in the Home Counties.

The Met will also need extra specialist officers from outside forces across the UK, including close protection and firearms, to take part in the meticulously planned and complex security operation.

During the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012, around 10,000 officers were on duty in London per day, and Mr Broadhurst, who was with the Met for 36 years, expects similar numbers in the lead up to the Queen's funeral.

The largest annual policing event for the Met is usually the Notting Hill Carnival, during which around 6,000 officers are on duty per day.

Play at the BMW PGA Championship will restart on Saturday morning, the DP World Tour has announced.

The Queen followed behind at a distance, before joining the King at his side to view the floral tributes left outside the gates.

The pair waved to the onlookers, who gave three cheers for the new monarch and his consort.

After greeting the public, the King and the Queen walked along the gates of Buckingham Palace looking at the hundreds of flowers. 

Shortly after, they both entered the palace together.

A member of the public asked if it was okay to kiss the King.

When he said yes, a woman kissed him on the face.

There were cheers from the crowds as the King's state Bentley arrived at the gates of the Palace.

He stepped from the car to greet the hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside.

Charles shook hands with countless members of the public lined up behind a barrier, thanking them for their good wishes.

The King shook hands with dozens of people outside the Palace.

Loud cheers rang out in central London.

The King has arrived at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has confirmed further details of the King's speech. 

It will be recorded in the Blue Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace this afternoon.

The speech will then be broadcast to the nation at 6pm. 

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead have said: "If you are visiting Windsor to leave a floral tribute to Her Majesty The Queen, please ensure that you remove any plastic packaging from the flowers and leave them outside Cambridge Gate at the top of the Long Walk, as directed by stewards.

"Flowers from this area will be moved inside Windsor castle on a regular basis."

Cricket will resume on Saturday, including the men’s Test between England and South Africa and the women’s T20 between England and India, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced.

The King and Queen have left RAF Northolt by car and are heading towards Buckingham Palace.

Police stopped traffic on West End Road as a convoy of four black cars, a black van and a police car exited the air base.

The King waved to the crowd which had gathered outside the exit and his car passed by.

The sun shone as onlookers waved back at the King and filmed him on their mobile phones.

The crowd has now dispersed and few people remain outside RAF Northolt.

Driving along the A40, the King passed a number of huge billboards paying tribute to his mother Queen Elizabeth.

Busloads of people have been arriving at the gates to Balmoral Castle to pay tribute to the late Queen.

Park and Ride Park facilities are currently operating from Ballater and Braemar for those wishing to leave flowers and pay their respects.

Access to the castle gates by road is temporarily not permitted but buses will be departing from both villages for Balmoral throughout the day, Aberdeenshire Council has said.

Disabled car parking facilities will be provided in the coach park at the Crathie Bridge.

Only floral tributes are being accepted - no other items such as candles, soft toys or photographs should be brought, the council said.

Conservative former leader Sir Iain Duncan appeared visibly emotional as he delivered a poem inspired by W H Auden's Funeral Blues, telling the Commons: "Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, prevent the dogs from barking with a juicy bone, silence the pianos and with muffled drum bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

"She was our north, our south, our east and west, our working week and our Sunday rest, our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song, we thought that love would last for ever: we were wrong."

Sir Iain earlier recalled meeting the Queen shortly after he was given the boot as Tory leader in 2003, joking about the party's leadership changes: "It happens quite a lot, really, I think she was pretty used to it."

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's speech focused on the theme of reconciliation, saying: "Your historic visit to the Republic of Ireland was a cathartic moment in British-Irish relations.

"The way you conducted yourself, the language you used and the message you brought help to lay to rest many of the ghosts of our shared history that have cast their shadows over relationships on these islands for centuries.

"It is my hope that your passing and the example you set will inspire us to even greater heights, and to complete the journey that will bring true healing and reconciliation to our troubled land."

The plane carrying the King landed at RAF Northolt in west London at 13:35pm.

A group of more than 100 people assembled to watch him land in England for the first time as king.

The group is now waiting at the gates of the RAF base for the monarch.

Two police helicopters are also circling the base.

The royal vehicle carrying King Charles has left RAF Northolt in West London.

The plane carrying the King and Queen was watched by over 150,000 people on a flight tracking website as it landed.

According to FlightRadar24, 153,000 users were tracking flight KRH20R as it touched down at RAF Northolt at 1:35pm.

The Embraer Legacy 600 jet spent an hour and five minutes in the air, having left Aberdeen at 12:30pm.

The King was greeted on the tarmac in west London. 

His wife, the Queen, entered a black vehicle before being joined by King Charles.

The King had notes in his hand.

The plane carrying King Charles has landed at RAF Northolt.

The heavy rain has finally stopped at Balmoral and what started as a steady stream of mourners is becoming more of a throng, write Dan Sanderson and Will Bolton.

An occasional ray of sunshine is bursting through the clouds and bouquets of flowers being left at the gates are now at least 10 deep. Even larger crowds are expected tomorrow, before the Queen's body is moved on Sunday.

There is a poignant reminder of the high regard in which the Queen was held - by people of all ages - at nearby Crathie Primary School.

Tributes to the Monarch created by young pupils for the Jubilee are still up outside on a noticeboard, alongside their drawings of Elizabeth II.

One, from Finn, said: "The Queen is special to me because she has been Queen for 70 years. She is the oldest Queen."

Another, by Annie, says: "The Queen is special to me because she is the best Queen because she is so kind."

Michael Archer, 60, from Fareham, served in the navy across the world and arrived at Balmoral to pay his respects to the woman he had “committed his life to”, writes Will Bolton from Balmoral.

The former warrant officer said: “I served in the Royal Navy for 35 years and that pales into insignificance really when you think what she has done for us.

“I wouldn’t say that we have an extra connection to her compared to the public but as a serviceman or woman you have committed your life to serve her and the consequences of that could have been enormous. I could have died for her on numerous occasions. Now I just want to pay my respects.

“It is the end of a era.”

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery has begun the Death Gun Salute tribute for the Queen at Hyde Park in central London.

In unison with many more around the UK and across the world, the first of 96 rounds reverberated across the royal park as a blank was fired in the direction of Buckingham Palace.

Conservative former prime minister Theresa May told the Commons: "Queen Elizabeth II was quite simply the most remarkable person I have ever met".

During her tribute in the Commons, Maidenhead MP Mrs May also recounted her weekly audiences with the monarch during her time as prime minister.

She said: "Across the nations of the world, for so many people, meeting Queen Elizabeth simply made their day and for many will be the memory of their life.

"Of course, for those of us who had the honour to serve as one of her prime ministers, those meetings were more frequent with the weekly audiences.

"These were not meetings with a high and mighty monarch, but a conversation with a woman of experience and knowledge and immense wisdom. They were also the one meeting I went to, which I knew it would not be briefed out to the media."

The comment was met with laughter by MPs, before Mrs May added: "What made those audiences so special was the understanding the Queen had of issues which came from the work she put into her red boxes, combined with her years of experience."

The Accession Council will be televised for the first time in history, Clarence House has confirmed.

Conservative former prime minister Theresa May reduced the whole House of Commons to laughter with a story about the Queen and some dropped cheese.

Maidenhead MP Mrs May said: "Her Majesty loved the countryside, and she was down to earth and a woman of common sense.

"I remember one picnic at Balmoral, which was taking place in one of the bothies on the estate. The hampers came from the castle, and we all mucked in to put the food and drink out on the table.

"I picked up some cheese, put it on a plate and was transferring it to the table. The cheese fell on the floor. I had a split-second decision to make."

Mrs May paused as MPs burst into laughter, before adding: "I picked up the cheese, put it on the plate and put it on the table. I turned round to see that my every move had been watched very carefully by Her Majesty the Queen.

"I looked at her. She looked at me and she just smiled. And the cheese remained on the table."

In a statement, Premiership Rugby said it is "united in paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her inspirational life of service and her unparalleled contribution to the United Kingdom".

The statement continued: "Following consultation with the RFU, DCMS and the PRL Board, Premiership Rugby can confirm that as a mark of respect, the two Gallagher Premiership matches scheduled for today will be postponed.

"Bristol Bears v Bath Rugby will take place at 5.30pm on Saturday and an update will be given on the Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints as soon as possible.

"The other matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday will go ahead as scheduled, with Premiership clubs joining with supporters in recognising Queen Elizabeth’s life and service. Prior to the start of each match, a one-minute silent tribute will take place. All players and coaches will be invited to wear black armbands."

Grassroots rugby will be played in England this weekend if clubs want to play, it has been announced.

The RFU said in a statement: "The official guidance we have received from Government is that there can be respectful continuation of sport at all levels this weekend. 

"The overwhelming opinions shared so far within the game, are that teams and supporters want to come together to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and to be united in our grief as we express sorrow at her passing.

"Rugby, at its heart, is about community and bringing people together, in good times and in sad. Rugby clubs are a source of strength and support during times of uncertainty, and we hope that by enabling games and other rugby activity to go ahead this weekend, with families and friends congregating it will help us all to unite at this time of national mourning."

But clubs can postpone if they both agree that is the best thing to do.

The RFU continued: "While for many in the game, matches this weekend will be an opportunity to come together and celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, there may be some clubs who will find it more appropriate to postpone their fixture, such as those with closer connections to the Royal Family or those with large numbers of players in the military or emergency services who will be called away to work on official duties as a result.

"If that is the case, both clubs must agree to postpone their fixture this weekend without penalty."

Those matches going ahead should include a minute's silence before kick off and players should wear black arm bands, the RFU said.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson told MPs that the Queen was "as radiant and as knowledgeable and as fascinated by politics as ever" in their last meeting before his resignation.

He said: "That impulse to do her duty carried her right through into her 10th decade to the very moment in Balmoral, as my right honourable friend (Liz Truss) has said, only three days ago, when she saw off her 14th prime minister, and welcomed her 15th.

"I can tell you, in that audience, she was as radiant and as knowledgeable and as fascinated by politics as ever I can remember and as wise in her advice as anyone I know, if not wiser."

Mr Johnson praised the Queen's "humility" and "refusal to be grand", and sparked laughter from the Commons when he said: "Unlike us politicians, with our outriders and our armour-plated convoys, I can tell you as a direct eye witness that she drove herself in her own car with no detectives and no bodyguard, bouncing at alarming speed over the Scottish landscape to the total amazement of the ramblers and the tourists we encountered."

Praising the "indomitable spirit with which she created the modern constitutional monarchy", he concluded: "The fact that today we can say with such confidence - God Save the King - is a tribute to him, but above all to Elizabeth the Great, who worked so hard for the good of her country, not just now but for generations to come."

The Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge has left Balmoral and is travelling back to Windsor to be with his family ahead of the Accession Council tomorrow.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson told the Commons he "choked up" when he was asked to record a tribute to the Queen by the BBC.

He said: "A few months ago the BBC came to see me to talk about Her Majesty the Queen, and we sat down, the cameras started rolling, and they requested that I should talk about her in the past tense.

"I am afraid I simply choked up and I couldn't go on. I am really not easily moved to tears, but I was so overcome with sadness that I had to ask them to go away.

"I know that today there are countless people in this country and around the world who have experienced the same sudden unexpected emotion."

Sir Keir Starmer added: "We join together today, not just to say goodbye to our Queen or to share in our mourning, but to say something else important: God Save The King.

"Because as one era ends, so another begins. King Charles III has been a devoted servant of this country his entire life, he has been a powerful voice for fairness, and understood the importance of the environment long before many others.

"As he ascends to his new role with the Queen Consort by his side, the whole House, indeed, the whole country, will join today to wish him a long, happy and successful reign."

The Labour leader concluded his speech, saying: "As we move forward, as we forge a new path, as we build towards a better future - she will always be with us. For all she gave us, and for all she will continue to give us, we say thank you."

Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons "our Queen played a crucial role as the thread between the history we cherish and the present we own".

The Labour leader went on: "Never was this link more important than when our country was plunged into lockdown at the start of the pandemic.

"Her simple message: that we would see family again, that we would see friends again, that we would be together again, gave people strength and courage when they needed it most.

"But it wasn't simply the message that allowed a shaken nation to draw upon those reserves, it was the fact she was the messenger."

He added: "At the time we were most alone, at a time we had been driven apart, she held the nation close, in a way no one else could have done. For that, we say: thank you."

Prime Minister Liz Truss described a new "Carolean age" as she closed her speech saying "God save the King".

She told MPs: "All of us in this House will support him as he takes our country forward to a new era of hope and progress. Our new Carolean age.

"The crown endures. Our nation endures. And in that spirit, I say God save the King."

Her speech was met with approval from MPs with Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, a Home Office minister, shouting "God save the King" from the side gallery as she finished.

Prime Minister Liz Truss said she spoke with the King last night.

Ms Truss said: "In an instant yesterday our lives changed forever. Today we show the world that we do not fear what lies ahead."

She said: "We pay tribute to our late Queen, and we offer loyal service to our new King," which was met with affirmation from MPs.

"His Majesty King Charles III bears an awesome responsibility that he now carries for all of us. I was grateful to speak to His Majesty last night and offer my condolences," she added.

"Even as he mourns, his sense of duty and service is clear. He has already made a profound contribution through his work on conservation, education and his tireless diplomacy. We owe him our loyalty and devotion."

Again MPs murmured affirmation and some could be heard saying "hear, hear".

Prime Minister Liz Truss said Queen Elizabeth II "reinvented monarchy for the modern age".

"Her late Majesty's image is an icon for what Britain stands for as a nation, on our coins, on our stamps, and in portraits around the world. Her legacy will endure through the countless people she met, the global history she witnessed, and the lives that she touched.

"She was loved and admired by people across the United Kingdom and across the world. One of the reasons for that affection was her sheer humanity. She reinvented monarchy for the modern age.

"She was a champion of freedom and democracy around the world. She was dignified but not distant. She was willing to have fun."

She added: "During her first televised Christmas message in 1957 she said: 'today we need a special kind of courage so we can show the world that we are not afraid of the future'. We need that courage now."

Sir David Attenborough has paid tribute to the Queen saying she had an "extraordinary ability to put you at your ease".

In a statement, the natural historian and broadcaster said: "If there was a technical hitch, she wanted to know what it was, and if it had a funny side, she was quick to see the joke.

"Yet not for one second could you forget that you were in the presence of someone who had willingly accepted enormous responsibility and dedicated her life to serving the nation - that you were, in short, in the presence of royalty.

"The whole nation is bereaved."

The Prime Minister said the Queen had fulfilled her promised to "dedicate her life to service".

Liz Truss told the Commons: "As we meet today, we remember the pledge she made on her 21st birthday to dedicate her life to service.

"The whole House will agree, never has a promise been so completely fulfilled."

She added: "Her devotion to duty remains an example to us all. She carried out thousands of engagements, she took a red box everyday, she gave her assent to countless pieces of legislation and was at the heart of our national life for seven decades."

Former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Theresa May could both be seen on the backbenches, listening to their successor's tribute.

The Prime Minister said the Queen shared her "deep experience of government" when the two met at Balmoral this week.

Paying tribute to the monarch in the Commons, Liz Truss said: "She remained determined to carry out her duties even at the age of 96.

"It was just three days ago at Balmoral that she invited me to form a Government and become her 15th prime minister.

"Again she generously shared with me her deep experience of government, even in those last days."

Ms Truss made her tribute to the Queen in a full, silent Commons chamber, with MPs on all benches clothed in black.

As is convention, a second Proclamation will be read in the City of London, at the Royal Exchange at midday on the same day Saturday, Sep 10.

Further Proclamations will be read in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at midday the following day Sunday September 11.

In recognition of the new Sovereign, flags will be flown at full-mast from the time of the Principal Proclamation at St James's Palace until one hour after the Proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, after which flags will return to half-mast in mourning for the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

Buckingham Palace said: "His Majesty The King will be proclaimed at the Accession Council at 10am tomorrow morning 10th September in the State Apartments of St James's Palace, London.

"The Accession Council, attended by Privy Councillors, is divided into two parts. In Part I, the Privy Council, without The King present, will proclaim the Sovereign, and formally approve various consequential Orders, including the arrangements for the Proclamation.

"Part II, is the holding by The King of His Majesty's first Privy Council. The King will make his Declaration and read and sign an oath to uphold the security of the Church in Scotland and approve Orders in Council which facilitate continuity of government.

"The Accession Council will be followed by the Principal Proclamation, which will be read at 11.00hrs from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James's Palace. The Proclamation will be read by Garter King of Arms, accompanied by the Earl Marshal, other Officers of Arms and the Serjeants at Arms. This is the first public reading of the Proclamation."

Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II "was one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known", Prime Minister Liz Truss said.

She added: "On the death of her father King George VI, Winston Churchill said the news had stilled the clatter and traffic of 20th century life in many lands.

"Now 70 years later in the tumult of the 21st century life has paused again. Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known."

The Labour leader said: "It feels impossible to imagine a Britain without her."

He said that although it was a "deep and private loss" for the Royal family, it is a grief "we all share".

Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the late-Queen's "total commitment to service" and her "deep devotion to the country and the people she loved." 

"In return for that," he said, "we loved her".

"She did not simply reign over us, she lived alongside us," the Labour leader said.

The King has boarded a plane in Aberdeen. 

He was seen shaking hands with a woman on the runway, as she curtseyed and offered her condolances.

The Prime Minister said since yesterday's "shocking" news, we have seen "the most heartfelt outpouring of grief".

She said the late Queen was "one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known" and "the rock on which modern Britain was built".

Ms Truss said: "The UK is the great country it is today because of her."

MPs have observed a minute's silence in memory of the Queen in the House of Commons chamber.

They stood in a crowded chamber with heads bowed.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle led the tributes, telling MPs: "She is wed in our minds with the crown and all it stands for."

The Scottish Football Association also announced the postponement of all professional games over the course of the weekend.

A procession of 71 horses, 36 pulling First World War-era 13-pounder field guns has cantered into Hyde Park in central London ahead of the Queen's death gun salute.

Police officers cleared the pathways as the military entourage rode through the south-eastern corner of the park.

The Speaker of the House of Commons has started the session to pay tribute to the Queen.

Some meetings with Queen Elizabeth II were rather unexpected - and all the more delightful for it, write Olivia Rudgard and Dan Sanderson.

• Read the Telegraph readers' accounts of when they met Her Majesty.

All games in the Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship and Women’s FA Cup have been postponed this weekend following the death of the Queen, the Football Association has announced.

Downing Street has confirmed there is no obligation to postpone events or sporting fixtures during the mourning period for the Queen's death.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "There is no requirement, or obligation, to cancel or postpone events or sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues, during this period. It's at the discretion of individual organisations.

"They may wish to consider cancelling or postponing, particularly on the day of the state funeral, but they are under no obligation to do so."

Gloucester Rugby, who are scheduled to play Wasps on Sunday in the Premiership, have indicated no decision has been made on the fixture. 

In a statement, the club said: "We are currently awaiting guidance ahead of this weekend’s planned fixtures.

"We will provide an update as soon as possible.

"Any related game information such as team news will follow once an update has been provided.

"Thank you for your patience."

The TUC has postponed its annual conference following the death of the Queen.

The four-day congress was due to be held in Brighton from Sunday, attended by hundreds of union delegates, but it will now be rescheduled for a later date.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was due to address the conference on Tuesday.

A TUC spokesperson said: "The general council sends our condolences to the King and the royal family on the death of the Queen, and recognises her many years of dedicated service to the country.

"As a mark of respect, we have decided to postpone congress 2022 until later this autumn."

The latest from outside Buckingham Palace from our correspondent Olivia Rudgard.

Heavy rain has failed to deter a long queue of well-wishers, many dressed in black, clutching bouquets and notes and waiting to pay their respects at the Palace. 

The orderly queue of people is stretching from the front of the Palace up Constitution Hill almost all the way to Hyde Park Corner. 

Many of them are from around the world, visitors to London who recognise the significance of the Queen’s life and role stretches beyond just Britain.

One sign, bound to the back of a bicycle with a sunflower, reads simply “We will miss you”.

Eileen Gweir, 75, from Colchester remembers her father Ronald Frew, an Air Force officer, travelling around New Zealand as part of the Queen’s security detail during her 1953 tour. 

“He was tasked with escorting her - he was very proud.

“I was alive for her coronation so she’s always been part of my life. She’s done everything for this country.”

Amy Nishikawa, 45 and Jan Richards, 73, travelled from Las Vegas with family on a long-awaited holiday, our reporter Olivia Rudgard writes.

They arrived yesterday but have found all their pre-booked tours and plans at Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle are cancelled.

“Our hearts go out to everyone here and her family,” said Ms Nishikawa.

“All our tours have been cancelled, everything has been closed. 

“This is a bucket list - now we’re not sure what to do. We were considering Paris so I think we might do that and get out of London.”

The British Horseracing Authority said: "As an ongoing mark of respect it has been determined that, alongside the cancellation of fixtures on 8 and 9 September, all racing will also be cancelled tomorrow, Saturday 10 September.

"Scheduled fixtures and racing events will return on Sunday 11 September.

"An additional day of racing at Doncaster will also be scheduled for Sunday 11 September, to ensure that the Cazoo St Leger and other important races lost as result of the cancellations can take place.

"However, the fixture scheduled for Musselburgh racecourse on Sunday will be cancelled as a mark of respect for the fact that the Queen’s body will be lying in rest in Edinburgh.

"Cancelling racing on Saturday will also allow the sport, and in particular those people involved who had a close relationship with the royal family, to take in the formal proclamation of King Charles III’s reign on Saturday afternoon."

Cabinet paid tribute to the Queen at a meeting on Friday morning.

It is understood that ministers shared memories of the monarch's lifetime of service, including fond recollections of their own encounters with her.

There was a moment of silence at the conclusion of the meeting.

The British Airways flight carrying the Duke of Sussex landed at London Heathrow Airport at 11:32am after completing its journey from Aberdeen International Airport.

A statement from the English Football League said: "Further to discussions on Friday morning it has been determined that all EFL fixtures from 9-10 September will be postponed as a mark of respect by the National Sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

"This is aligned with the approach that the Premier League and the FA will take with their competitions this weekend.

"Further information, in respect of how football, Clubs and their supporters will commemorate Her Majesty’s reign will be confirmed at an appropriate point.

"Details regarding rearranged games will be announced in due course."

In a statement, the Premier League said: "At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II." 

"To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game.

Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive said: “We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.  As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.  

“This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”

Further updates regarding Premier League fixtures during the period of mourning will be provided in due course.

King's Lynn, the only horse owned by the Queen entered to run this weekend, has not been declared for the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

Winner of the Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock earlier in the season, the Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old has since finished down the field in both the King's Stand and the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

He had the option of bidding for Group One glory once more on day two of Irish Champions Weekend, but will not be making the trip across the Irish Sea.

On Thursday Improvise came close to carrying the Queen's colours to success in the final race at Epsom, with Michael Bell's filly beaten a short head by Mount Kosciuszko.

The Queen's most recent winner was Love Affairs, who impressed at Goodwood on Tuesday for trainer Clive Cox.

King Charles has left Balmoral en route to Aberdeen airport where he will fly back to London.

Our correspondent Olivia Rudgard is outside Buckingham Palace today.

Samantha West, 42, and her partner Simon Garrett, 50, came down to Buckingham Palace from their home near London with their two sons to lay flowers on behalf of a family friend, who lives in Liverpool.

“We came on behalf of a friend’s mum, who is a Royalist,” Ms West said.

“Her grandma was a real Royalist. She used to make us stand up after the Queen’s Christmas speech to sing the national anthem when we were children. 

“They asked us to come down and lay some flowers so of course we had to say yes. 

“I don’t think there’ll ever be another monarch like her again. She was an amazing woman. One of a kind,” she said. 

Ben Stokes, the England cricket captain, has said it would be an "honour" to play the Test match against South Africa in the Queen's honour. 

The third and deciding Test was scheduled to start yesterday, but there was no play at all due to the weather. 

Today's play has been postponed as a mark of respect for the Queen. 

The England and Wales Cricket Board want the Test to go ahead - a four-day match starting tomorrow. 

And Stokes, responding to former footballer Darren Huckerby's tweet asking for people's thoughts on whether or not sport should go ahead in the period of national mourning, said: "She loved sport, be honoured to play in her memory."

He signed his message off with a heart emoji.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have issued a statement, on the first day that lawyers in court will adopt the King's Counsel (KC) titles. 

In a statement, Max Hill KC, the director of public prosecutions, said: "All at the Crown Prosecution Service share a profound sadness at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

"The late Queen was a great inspiration to our people, who are immensely proud to serve the Crown. 

"Her Majesty led with extraordinary dedication and her legacy will live on in perpetuity."

Public museums, galleries or similar venues are not obliged to close during the National Mourning period.

Organisations may choose to close on the day of the State Funeral, however there is no obligation to do so and this is at the discretion of individual organisations.

As with other organisations, these institutions may wish to display or share images of previous Royal visits, particularly if they are one of Her Majesty’s patronages.

It is not necessary to cover or remove existing official portraits or photographs in your organisation of Her Majesty as a mark of respect.

It is the custom to leave these in place, at the discretion of the organisation.

For example, you will still see in many older public buildings official portraits on display of King George VI and other previous monarchs.

Online communication channels can also be used to reflect the demise of Her Majesty and participate in the period of national mourning.

Organisations can acknowledge the mourning period by making changes to the homepage of their website, for example, with the use of black edging or black banners.

Organisations and individuals may also wish to share their memories of Her Majesty online. There is no set way to mark the passing of Her Majesty on social media.

Organisations may wish to review their planned content for the period. Any changes to websites or social media pages should take into consideration accessibility requirements for visually impaired users.

There are no physical books of condolence at Royal Residences.

You can sign an online Book of Condolence on the Royal family website.

There will be opportunities to sign books of condolence at various Town Halls and other locations throughout the UK.

Please check with your Local Authority.

Opening your own Book of Condolence Any organisation or person may open a book of condolence during the period of National Mourning.

There is no set format for a book of condolence.

The layout of the table is usually a trestle table on which the book is placed with a white tablecloth, an arrangement of flowers (usually lilies or other white flowers) and a framed formal photograph of Her Majesty.

This could be an official portrait photograph, or one taken at a previous Royal visit.

As a mark of respect, a black ribbon could be wrapped around the top right hand corner.

Please note the Royal Household and the government will not be able to receive books of condolence.

1. Buckingham Palace: A memorial flower garden will be created in Green Park tomorrow and will be the main place for laying flowers near Buckingham Palace.
2. Windsor Castle: Flowers can be laid on the Long Walk at Cambridge Gate close to the town centre. Read further information on the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead website.
3. Sandringham: Flowers can be laid on the estate and visitors will be directed to the correct location on arrival.
4. Belfast: Flowers can be laid at Hillsborough Castle. Read further information on the Northern Ireland Office website.
5. Holyrood: Flowers can be laid at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Read further information on the Scottish Government website.
6. Balmoral: Flowers can be laid at the Main Gate to the Castle. Read further information on the Balmoral Castle website.
7. Cardiff Castle: Flowers can be laid at the areas either side of the City Hall entrance. Read further information on the Welsh Government website.

It is customary for mourners to leave floral tributes. This section outlines the details of key locations where you can lay flowers and other tributes.

During this time of national mourning, the government and the royal household respectfully request that no official flowers, wreaths, or tributes be sent from organisations to the location of the state funeral, royal residences or government offices.

Within your local community there may be a place, such as a town hall or place of worship, where members of the public can lay flowers or tributes in memory of Her Majesty.

Please check the website of your local authority, or local media for further information. In all locations you should follow the advice and direction of stewards.

There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the national mourning period.

This is at the discretion of individual organisations. As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the state funeral.

They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.

If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the state funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions.

As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of national mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the national anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.

Many community organisations, including places of worship, local authorities and charities, will arrange events commemorating the life and service of Her Majesty.

This may include holding services of reflection (or similar), as well as opportunities for those with no religious beliefs to pay their respects.

Local authorities will support the coordination of local events so please check with them or your local place of worship for further details.

There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the national mourning period.

Depending on the nature and location of their business and the tone of planned events, some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral, however this is at the discretion of individual businesses.

Public services will continue as usual, although there may be some changes to service availability.

Further guidance on any potential considerations relating to the day of the state funeral will be issued if needed.

There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the national mourning period.

Depending on the nature and location of their business and the tone of planned events, some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral, however this is at the discretion of individual businesses.

Public services will continue as usual, although there may be some changes to service availability.

Further guidance on any potential considerations relating to the day of the State Funeral will be issued if needed.

Latest from the Cabinet Office on period of mourning:

National Mourning is a period of time for reflection in response to the demise of the Sovereign, or other member of the Royal Family or a very prominent person in national life.

This guide is intended to provide the public, businesses and institutions with an explanation of National Mourning, and outline some practical advice on how you or your organisation may wish to observe public mourning during this period.

It covers, among other matters:

• Half-masting of flags
• How observing mourning can affect the continuation of business, events and sporting fixtures
• Floral tributes
• Books of condolence.

Nevertheless, mourning is very personal and we anticipate individuals, families, communities and organisations may want to mark Her Majesty’s demise in their own way.

There is no expectation on the public or organisations to observe specific behaviours during the mourning period. Public services will continue as usual, although there may be some changes to service availability on the day of the State Funeral.

As well as the UK government, the devolved administrations, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories will be observing National Mourning and will issue separate guidance.

The Wales rugby derby between the Scarlets and the Dragons has been called off. 

It's understood the decision was made by the Llanelli and Newport clubs themselves.

The Telegraph understands that the opening round of Premiership Rugby fixtures may go ahead tonight. 

This comes after the Government left it up to individual sport governing bodies to decide.

Here is the guidance: 

There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period.

This is at the discretion of individual organisations. As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral.

They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.

If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions.

As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.

These are the roads which will now be closed.

The British Airways flight carrying the Duke of Sussex departed Aberdeen International Airport at 10.20am.

The Queen met millions of people during her 70-year reign. 

Were you one of them? 

If so, we'd love to hear your story. 

Louisa Clarence-Smith is compiling an article covering The Telegraph readers' encounters with Queen Elizabeth. 

Send your story to louisa.clarencesmith@telegraph.co.uk.

Our reporters Will Bolton and Dan Sanderson are talking to mourners outside Balmoral.

David McHardy, 66, came to Balmoral from nearby Braemar, where he was born and bred, and is a town with a special relationship with the Royal family.

He said he believed the Queen had loved the area so much as it offered an escape from the "goldfish bowl".

"I think it must have been great for her to get away and relax," he said. "People here left to to herself but we would often see her at Church or the Braemar Gathering."

Sarah McCoshim, 56, a shop worker, made the 40 minute journey from Blairgowrie.

"I felt it was important to pay my respects," she said. "I was working in London when Diana died and its the same sense of shock. 

"It just feels like there's a sense of change and today it's unsettling. But I'm expecting to hear from Charles and I think that will be reassuring."

Workers at construction giant JCB's 11 factories will observe two minutes' silence at 11am today in honour of the Queen, the firm said.

Flags at all JCB's factories in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham are flying at half-mast.

JCB chairman Lord Anthony Bamford said in a statement: "Her Majesty's service and devotion to this country over more than 70 years will never be surpassed.

"We have been truly fortunate to have Queen Elizabeth as our head of state. It was my pleasure to welcome Her Majesty and HRH Prince Philip to JCB in 1995 when our company was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

"It is a day which will live long in the memory for many of us. I will be writing to His Majesty the King to express condolences on behalf of the company and my family."

Prime Minister Liz Truss and her Australian counterpart agreed the Queen had "touched the lives of many" in a call on Friday morning, No 10 said.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister spoke to Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese this morning.

"The leaders shared their condolences following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, and agreed she had touched the lives of many, both in Australia and the UK."

At the Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey, the first case was called on in the name of the King. 

The court usher said: "Silence, be upstanding in court.

"All persons who have any thing do before My Lords and Ladies, the King's Justices at the Central Criminal Court draw near and give your attendance. 

"God save the King."

Charity staff are selling bouquets in Green Park after several nearby shops sold out due to rocketing demand in the area as mourners go to lay flowers for the Queen.

People are streaming along the paths through the central London park en route to the royal residence.

A service of prayer and reflection on the death of the Queen will be held in St Paul's Cathedral at 6pm.

The Prime Minister and Lord Mayor of London are expected to attend the service which will be broadcast on the BBC.

The audio of the King's televised address to the nation will be played inside the cathedral if it coincides with the service.

Two dark Range Rovers arrived at Aberdeen International Airport, led by five police motorbikes, at around 9.20am.

It got there around an hour after the Duke of Sussex was seen leaving Balmoral.

Most major sports with fixtures this weekend are now expected on a call with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by 9.30am, reports our Sports Correspondent Tom Morgan.

Senior figures say sports are still awaiting formal guidance from Government on a coordinated approach.

However, there is doubt there will be any definitive direction from ministers on the call.

Instead, the likes of football, rugby and the Great North Run are expecting to make their own decisions.

Prior to the Queen's death, Premier League clubs had already been due to meet to discuss the fan-led review and the so-called "New Deal" of financial support for the lower  tiers.

That meeting will still take place at 11am, but talks around plans for the weekend will now dominate.

There are no physical books of condolence at the royal residences, Buckingham Palace has said.

An online book of condolence for those who wish to leave messages is available on the Royal website: https://www.royal.uk/send- message-condolence.

Royal residences will close until after the Queen’s Funeral.

This includes the Queen's Gallery and the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, and The Queen's Gallery in Edinburgh.

Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House, the Queen's private estates, will also close for this period.

In addition, Hillsborough Castle, The Sovereign’s official residence in Northern Ireland, will be closed.

Royal Salutes will be fired in London today at 1pm in Hyde Park by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company.

One round will be fired for each year of The Queen's life, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

Flags at royal residences were half masted yesterday, and will remain half-masted until 8am on the morning after the final day of royal mourning.

Buckingham Palace said: "The half-masting of flags at royal residences does not apply to the Royal Standard and the Royal Standard in Scotland when rhe 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."

This from Buckingham Palace:

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.

Buckingham Palace has issued guidance on how the British public can contribute to the period of national mourning. 

Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the following guidance is given to members of the public who wish to leave floral tributes at Royal Residences:

• At Buckingham Palace members of the public will be guided to lay floral tributes at dedicated sites in The Green Park or Hyde Park. Flowers left outside the gates of Buckingham Palace will be moved to The Green Park Floral Tribute Garden by The Royal Parks. Further guidance will be issued by The Royal Parks.
• At Windsor Castle, floral tributes can be left at Cambridge Gate on the Long Walk. These flowers will be 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. Those flowers 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.

Information on floral tributes at other public buildings and locations will be issued by the Cabinet Office.

Our Scotland Correspondent Dan Sanderson is outside Balmoral Castle for us again this morning.

A steady stream of mourners are arriving at Balmoral this morning, with hundreds of bouquets of flowers already laid at the gates of the estate. 

The rain is still falling heavily in Aberdeenshire, while the number of television cameras has roughly doubled since yesterday, as the international media descend on rural Scotland.

Mourners have left poignant messages, addressed to the Queen and the Royal Family, alongside their floral tributes.

Pippa, a 10-year-old from Dundee, drew an impressive picture of the long-serving Monach, and wrote the message "Thank you Queen Elizabeth II for your service to our nation".

It was among a striking number of messages from Scottish children, with pupils from Saint Ronans primary in West Dubartonshire among those to send flowers.

Another message reads: "A mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, our Queen. Your job here is done. Rest easy."

BBC One has suspended its regular programming schedule in the wake of the Queen's death.

The broadcaster is airing rolling news coverage on Friday with a BBC News Special filling regular TV slots in between BBC News at One and BBC News at Six.

Programmes including EastEnders, Homes Under The Hammer, Bargain Hunt, and Doctors have moved from their usual channel and will air on BBC Two throughout the day.

Similarly, the new BBC Two programming schedule includes the additions of Animal Park, Best Bakes Ever, Money For Nothing, Garden Rescue and The Bidding Room.

Alexander Armstrong's quiz show Pointless will also appear on the BBC Two schedule at 5.15pm before Garden Rescue, which also moved channels on Friday.

On Thursday, BBC One interrupted Bargain Hunt at 12.39 to deliver the statement from Buckingham Palace which said royal doctors were concerned for health.

Six hours later, after an image of the flag at Buckingham Palace was shown at half mast, presenter Huw Edwards told viewers: "A few moments ago Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."

Following the announcement of the death of her majesty the Queen, ITV News will make the following adjustments to their usual programming.

ITV News will air a live extended news special programme from 9am. Over the course of the day, the programme will be presented by both Mary Nightingale and Tom Bradby. The presenters will be joined by special guests who will share their reflections of her majesty and her legacy.

In addition, correspondents stationed across the nation will share public reactions from locations including Canada Gate, Balmoral and Cardiff, as well as across the Commonwealth nations including Canada, Australia and Antigua.

There will also be an extended hour-long News at Ten bulletin presented by Julie Etchingham.

The Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, described a fond memory of the Queen teaching him how to play cards.

"I was also invited for a weekend at Sandringham with the Queen and Prince Philip, an extraordinary weekend in all sorts of different ways," he said.

"My memory of it, in particular playing cards with the Queen which was quite extraordinary.

"So she taught me how to play patience - a very particular form of patience that she often played when there were lots of guests around I think - and when I admitted that I didn't know how to play it, she taught me, so that's a memory that will live with me long."

Dr Linda Yueh, executive chairwoman of the Royal Commonwealth Society, said the Queen offered a "personal touch" to all those she met.

The Queen was patron of the charity, which works to improve the lives of people living in Commonwealth countries.

"She had an incredible smile that lit up the room," she told BBC Breakfast.

"It doesn't matter how many times you meet her, it's always special.

"I think I was always very struck by her interest and how involved she was in some of the projects that we delivered in her name.

"And you just know the Queen would have had a question for you and listened intently to your answer.

"I think her personal touch, I think, is what most of us will be reflecting on."

Theresa May has urged the British public to unite in support of King Charles III as she paid tribute to the Queen’s wisdom and experience, but also her sense of mischief, writes our Associate Editor Camilla Tominey.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the former Prime Minister admitted it would be “difficult” for the new king “mourning the loss of his mother” but that “the continuity of our monarchy is our great strength and that should give people that confidence and reassurance. Yes, it is a different individual but it is our constitutional monarchy and that thread continues.”

Reflecting on her weekly audiences with the Queen, Mrs May added: “It was a conversation with someone who is immensely knowledgeable - someone who knew what was going on. It was that one meeting that a PM went into that they knew that nothing that was said would be briefed or leaked afterwards. We talked about the affairs of the day, in a sense (I was) tapping into her wisdom and that knowledge she had from her great experience.”

Describing the Queen as “a very acute judge of people,” she reflected on the “twinkle in her eye” and “the magnificent smile that would break out.”

She added: “She was able to give those pen portraits of people that she knew and she’d met.

“What other world leader would be willing to be seen coming down in a parachute from a helicopter in 2012 or see Paddington Bear drink tea from the teapot?”

Hundreds of people have gathered at Buckingham Palace gates to pay tribute to the Queen the day after her death.

Mourners, many dressed all in black, congregated beside hundreds of colourful bouquets and messages which had been left overnight and early in the morning.

A large Union flag in tones of black and grey has been pinned to the right flank of the gates, while police officers kept a crowd back from the main gates further to the left.

Sir Nicholas Soames said his grandfather Winston Churchill "loved" the Queen.

The former Tory minister told Times Radio: "I mean, that is the only word to use. It's the only word that... can begin to cover his feelings for this young sovereign.

"I think the Queen found him a great comfort. I think she must have been slightly alarmed to start with, but on the other hand, she'd known him since she was a little girl.

"I mean, we've only lived in the shadow of one monarch. Churchill served six of the kings and queens of Britain. He was commissioned into the British Army in the reign of Queen Victoria and he died in the reign of Queen Elizabeth."

Churchill was the first of the Queen's 15 prime ministers and greeted her on her sudden return to Britain from Kenya on the death of her father, King George VI in 1952.

People in Hong Kong took to social media to mourn Queen Elizabeth II, a woman affectionately nicknamed "boss lady" among older residents in a city that was one of Britain's last colonies.

Elizabeth visited Hong Kong twice during her reign, while her son - now King Charles III - was present for the handover to China in 1997.

"My grandmother who raised me always spoke of the 'boss lady', I heard about her so much she felt like family... Today it's like a family member passed away," Facebook user Vincent Lam wrote.

"It's the end of an era... Thank you for your lifetime of devotion," read another post on the Facebook group Hong Kong Reminiscence that garnered nearly 4,000 likes within hours of Elizabeth's death, news of which broke overnight in the city.

Britain has seen two major waves of Hong Kong immigration in recent decades - the first in the run-up to the handover, and the second over the last two years as China cracks down on political dissent.

Many of those reacting overnight were doing so from their new home.

"She always (has) our highest respect... I'll miss her," said Lok Cheung, a popular Hong Kong tech YouTuber who recently emigrated to Britain.

"Hong Kong Worker", a comic artist who has also relocated, drew a panel of himself telling the queen: "Thank you for giving us a Hong Kong that was once beautiful."

Theresa May has paid tribute to the Queen. 

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I’m sitting here like so many people across the country thinking this is a time we hoped would never happen. I’m adjusting to this realisation that she’s no longer there."

Talking of her discussions with Her Majesty, she said: "It was a conversation with someone who is immensely knowledgeable - someone who knew what was going on, who knew many of the world leaders.

"It was that one meeting that a prime minister went into that they knew that nothing that was said would be briefed or leaked afterwards.

"Talking about the affairs of the day, in a sense tapping into her wisdom and that knowledge she had from her great experience.

"There was also general parts to the conversation as well." 

1. King Charles III and Camilla will travel back to London from Balmoral today.
2. Ahead of their arrival in the capital, there will be a gun salute at 1pm.
3. The King will hold an audience with Liz Truss, the Prime Minister, and pre-record a televised address to the nation, which will be broadcast at around 6pm.
4. Bells will toll at Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle, and gun salutes - one round for every year of the Queen’s life - will be fired in Hyde Park and at other stations.
5. There will be a service at St Paul’s Cathedral attended by the Ms Truss and senior ministers.

Here, Victoria Ward and Henry Bodkin take you through what to expect over the next 10 days.

The Queen "never lost hope" even in bad moments in her life, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said.

He told BBC Breakfast: "The Queen constantly showed us the meaning of life - she was joyful, she was humorous, her life was full.

"But she never, even in bad moments, lost hope.

"I obviously spoke to her after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, and spent some time with her and there was just a solidity of hope in her life."

He added: "It feels as though for so many people around the world, especially in the UK, that a part of our lives we've taken for granted as being permanent is no longer there.

"And in that sense there is an enormous shift in the world around us, in how we see it and how we understand ourselves.

"I think many people will be finding that sense of not just grief, but also uncertainty and to some extent a wondering about what is permanent."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said that the Queen could make anyone she met feel like they were the only person in the room.

Praising the time she devoted to public service, he told BBC Breakfast: "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."

The Queen met millions of people during her 70-year reign. 

Were you one of them? 

If so, we'd love to hear your story. 

Olivia Rudgard is compiling an article covering The Telegraph readers' encounters with Queen Elizabeth. 

Send your story to olivia.rudgard@telegraph.co.uk. 

The Dalai Lama has expressed his "deep sadness" over the death of the Queen in a letter to King Charles III.

"I remember seeing photographs of her coronation in magazines when I was young in Tibet," he told the King.

"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 death of the Queen has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from the nation's papers.

Buckingham Palace announced the death of the 96-year-old monarch, who died "peacefully" on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral.

Here is how the papers reacted - read more here

Queen died at her 'happy place'

Balmoral was always the Queen’s “happy place”, writes Victoria Ward. 

The draughty castle, nestled in Aberdeenshire’s wet and windy grouse moors, was where Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh chose to spend every long summer break, walking, riding, shooting and picnicking with their family.

It is perhaps fitting then, that the Queen died where she felt most comfortable and at home, away from palace grandeur and the bustle of public life.

Read the full story here.

The Queen’s own words of wisdom provide comfort in our moment of sorrow

“I don’t have to believe it if I don’t want to.” That was how the novelist John O’Hara reacted when he heard that his friend, George Gershwin, had died.

Many of her subjects will have felt something similar at 6.32pm on Sept 8 2022, when we heard the seismic news that our Queen had left us. 

It is unbearably sad. A loss almost too great to process. But, as the Queen said in a message of condolence to the families of British victims lost in the 9/11 terrorist attack: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”

Read Allison Pearson's piece here.

The Society of Editors has pulled these together.  

The front pages of this morning's British newspaper are a fitting, elegant tribute to Queen Elizabeth. Here is the Telegraph's front page. 

Queen Elizabeth II visited more than 100 countries across six continents during her reign. She was admired by the people, politicians and religious leaders from all corners of the world, writes Grace Millimaci. 

Little wonder that tributes poured in from across the globe as news of Her Majesty's death spread and the world started to mourn.

World leaders were quick to pay their respects and send their messages of condolences to the Royal family.

Read the world reaction here.

Good morning. 

The nation, the world, is in mourning following the death yesterday of Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral.  This morning, King Charles III will travel back to London, and is expected to address the nation later.  

We will bring you the latest here.