History & Human Geography

Historic moment King Charles III is declared sovereign 2

Jimie 2022. 9. 10. 19:37

Royal superfan John Loughrey, 67, wept outside Buckingham Palace as he said he 'can't believe' the news and paid tribute to the 'inspirational' Queen whose 'duty always came first'.

'I met the Queen twice. I gave flowers to her. I can't believe it,' he said. 'She was inspirational. She served her duty - her duty always came first, her family next. She went downhill after the Duke of Edinburgh died. They were like two swans. God save the Queen.'

Annette German, who attended the Queen's coronation, said the Queen 'could not better have dedicated her life' to her people.

Speaking outside Buckingham Palace, Ms German, 84, a retired teacher from south London, said: 'I was with my grandmother at the coronation and when I heard the news she was unwell, I thought I must be there and I got on a train and got the news as I was just round the corner.

'I share a birthday with the Queen and I've listened to the national anthem every birthday.

'I'm from a left-wing family but massively in favour, the Queen could not have better-dedicated her life to her country.'

Speaking of her shared birthday with the Queen, she said: 'It's a very special. I've had that link all that life.'

Christine Evans, from Shropshire, 68, said the Queen was a 'wonderful' leader who would be 'sorely missed by us all'.

Speaking outside Buckingham Palace, she said: 'I'm proud to be here and to see all this support, and how loved the Queen is by all these people. She will be sorely missed by us all.'

Ms Evans added that she hoped the royal family were brought closer together in the aftermath, and that Harry and Meghan could heal their alleged rift.

She added: 'Obviously it's a very sad occasion but sometimes it brings people together and family have got to stay together.'

7.06pm: Charles pays tribute to the 'cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother' as he becomes King

Charles, who became King on the death of his mother, 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.'

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King Charles III released this poignant statement reacting to the death of his 'beloved mother' as he took the throne today

7.07pm: Prime Minister Liz Truss gives a statement praising the Queen outside Downing Street

Prime Minister Liz Truss stepped out of No 10 and to the podium on Downing Street at 7.07pm, dressed in black, to address the nation following the Queen's death.

Paying tribute to Her Majesty's 'extraordinary' life in public service, the Tory leader said the Queen was 'loved and admired by the people in the United Kingdom and all around the world' and called her 'a personal inspiration to me and to many Britons'.

Referring to Charles, the new King, as King Charles III, Ms Truss said: 'Today the Crown passes, as it has done for more than a thousand years, to our new monarch, our new head of state, his majesty King Charles III.'

She added that it was 'the passing of the second Elizabethan age' and concluded her address by saying 'God save the King'.

7.20pm: The arts industry pays tribute to the Queen as theatres dim their lights and observe a minute's silence while writers and musicians praise Her Majesty

Theatres across the country announced they would be dimming their lights and observing a minute's silence, playing the national anthem and opening books of condolences prior to performances as mark of their respect, following news of the death of the Queen.

A statement from Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre said they were 'deeply saddened' by the news of the Queen's death.

The message, from Stephanie Sirr and Jon Gilchrist, joint Presidents of UK Theatre and Eleanor Lloyd, President of SOLT, said: 'We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

'The theatre industry is thankful for all the support and patronage Her Majesty has shown throughout her lifetime. We would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the Royal Family at this time of national mourning.'

They added that, in accordance with advice from the DCMS, scheduled theatre performances will go ahead tonight and during the official period of mourning.

JK Rowling described the monarch as 'a thread winding through all our lives' during her seven-decade-long reign.

The Harry Potter author said the Queen had been an 'enduring, positive symbol of Britain all over the world' and had 'earned her rest'.

'Some may find the outpouring of British shock and grief at this moment quaint or odd, but millions felt affection and respect for the woman who uncomplainingly filled her constitutional role for seventy years,' Rowling wrote on Twitter.

'Most British people have never known another monarch, so she's been a thread winding through all our lives. She did her duty by the country right up until her dying hours, and became an enduring, positive symbol of Britain all over the world. She's earned her rest.'

Stephen Fry admitted that he was 'sobbing' following news of the death of the Queen.

'Oh dear. Oh my. Oh heavens. Bless my soul. Oh lor. Heck,' the actor and comedian wrote on Twitter. In a separate post, he added: 'I don't know why I'm sobbing. Silly really. Oh dear.'

British author Sir Philip Pullman has paid tribute to the Queen, writing on Twitter:'The Queen was an extraordinary woman and this nation has been very lucky. I'm just old enough to remember the coronation; she's been there all my life, and I shall miss her.'

The official Twitter account of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts remembered the Queen after it was announced she has died at the age of 96.

'We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen, whose close association with BAFTA spanned over 50 years. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family, to whom we offer our deepest sympathy,' the organisation said.

The Royal Variety Charity has remembered the Queen after it was announced she has died at the age of 96.

In statement to the PA news agency, the charity's chairman Giles Cooper said: 'The Royal Variety Charity is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.

'Her Majesty was Patron of the Royal Variety Charity for 70 years, taking on this duty after the death of His Majesty King George VI in 1952. The Queen was an enthusiastic supporter of our charity, and we were honoured to have Her Majesty's presence at 39 Royal Variety Performances, the first in 1945 and the final one in the Diamond Jubilee year of 2012. The Royal Variety Charity sends its sincere condolences to His Majesty The King and the entire Royal Family.'

7.21pm: Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed 'timeless' and 'bright and shining light' the Queen

Former prime minister Boris Johnson said: 'This is our country's saddest day. In the hearts of every one of us there is an ache at the passing of our Queen, a deep and personal sense of loss - far more intense, perhaps, than we expected.

'In these first grim moments since the news, I know that millions and millions of people have been pausing whatever they have been doing, to think about Queen Elizabeth, about the bright and shining light that has finally gone out.

'She seemed so timeless and so wonderful that I am afraid we had come to believe, like children, that she would just go on and on.

'Wave after wave of grief is rolling across the world, from Balmoral - where our thoughts are with all the royal family - and breaking far beyond this country and throughout that great Commonwealth of nations that she so cherished and which cherished her in return.'

7.22pm: Labour leaders Sir Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan pay tribute to the Queen

Labour leader Sir Keir paid tribute, saying in a statement: '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 seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II stood as the head of our country. But, in spirit, she stood amongst us.'

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: 'The nation and the world mourns today in recognition of the extraordinary service of our Queen - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She served for 70 years with unrivalled grace, dignity and purpose.

'Throughout a period of unprecedented transformation, she was a source of great stability, inspiring hope during the most testing of times and exemplifying the best of what it means to be British.

'I'm proud to have served as Mayor of London while Queen Elizabeth II was our monarch. I know Londoners, and people across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, are immensely proud and grateful for what she achieved for us all over so many years.

'I offer my condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.'

7.24pm: William and Kate's Twitter account @KensingtonRoyal refers to couple as The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge

From 7.24pm, William and Kate's Twitter account @KensingtonRoyal referred to the couple as The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.

7.26pm: Planned Royal Mail strike on Friday is called off

A planned strike by Royal Mail workers on Friday has been called off, the Communication Workers Union announced, following the death of the Queen.

7.30pm: Floral tributes are laid outside Windsor Castle to mourn Her Majesty's death

Floral tributes have started to be laid outside Windsor Castle to mourn the death of the Queen.

The crowds outside were so big that staff members returning to the castle struggled to drive through the main entrance.

Lisa, a collector of royal memorabilia from Florida, said the Queen's death had brought people together.

'I'm surprised at all the different kinds of people that are here,' she said. 'I'm hearing lots of different accents, lots of different cultures are represented. It's a very nice thing. 'The world being as it is today, this is something we all agree on.'

One well-wisher said it felt 'special' to gather with other mourners outside Windsor Castle. Lisa, who arrived on Thursday from Florida, said: 'I turned the news on and I was shocked, I didn't realise what had happened.'

Nodding to the gathering crowd, she said: 'But today's special ... I feel this is good to be sitting here. And did you see the rainbow? It's fading a little bit but it's been beautiful.'

Of the Queen, Lisa said: 'I admire her greatly. I actually have been collecting royal commemorative memorabilia for about 40 years.'

One visitor from Australia said she felt 'blessed' to be outside Windsor Castle as the Queen's death was announced.

Denise Speck, from Perth, said: 'I didn't think it was going to happen so quickly after seeing her [on television] a couple of days ago. I just feel very blessed to be here at this time because I'm on holiday from Australia ... to actually be here at this time is very special. My family back in Australia won't even know yet because it's the middle of the night.'

Ms Speck also predicted that the Queen's death could cause a rift between Britain and Commonwealth countries like Australia.

She said: 'I think it will be a new era now ... the Queen was something that everyone admired even though they didn't necessarily want to be part of the British system. It's the Queen that was the glue that kept it all going.'

7.30pm: Government ministers including Ben Wallace and Nadhim Zahawi pay tribute to the Queen

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Nadhim Zahawi said the Queen was 'a beacon of light in every corner of the globe'.

'Her Majesty's passing saddens me more than I can say,' Mr Zahawi said in a statement.

'Mine and my family's prayers are with her family as she is reunited with her strength and stay, the Duke of Edinburgh. Her sense of duty, warmth and obvious kindness made Britain home to me and so many others. Throughout my life I have been proud to live in a country that had the privilege of having Her Majesty at its head. But her reach went beyond the shores of this great nation. Her Majesty was - and will always be - a beacon of light in every corner of the globe.

'In this darkest of moments, I take comfort in knowing Her Majesty will always be with us as long as we uphold the values she exemplified.'

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace tweeted: 'The sad passing today of Her Majesty The Queen will be felt by every member of her Armed Forces. Her Majesty was more than their Commander in Chief, she was their guardian. She was deeply involved in championing their welfare & supporting them before, during and after operations.

'She dedicated her life to serving her Nation. The motto of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is 'Serve to Lead'. The Queen's lifetime was a living embodiment of that.'

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng said the Queen was 'the outstanding public servant of our time'.

'Today we mourn the passing of our late sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,' he said in a statement.

'She was the outstanding public servant of our time. An incredible life lived in service to the British people and the Commonwealth. God Save the King.'

7.38pm: The Americans mourn the 'sad passing' of the Queen

The US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi said Americans are mourning the 'sad passing' of the Queen, describing her as 'a pillar of leadership in the global arena and a devoted friend of freedom'.

'On behalf of the United States Congress, I extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the royal family during this sad time,' Ms Pelosi said in a statement.

'Queen Elizabeth embodied the highest spirit of civic duty: earning the reverence of her people and the respect of the world.

'Her Majesty capably shepherded the United Kingdom through great turbulence and transition.

'Under history's brightest spotlight, Queen Elizabeth offered a masterclass in grace and strength, power and poise. Her extraordinary life and leadership will continue to inspire young women and girls in public service, now and for generations to come.

'Personally, it was an honour to be on the Floor of the House during her historic address to the Congress in 1991 and to welcome her as Speaker on her important visit to the United States in 2007, which deepened the special relationship between our nations.

'May it be a comfort to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the entire royal family that Americans join them in prayer at this sad time.'

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said the Queen was 'more than a monarch' and that she 'defined an era'.

A White House statement said: '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.

'She, in turn, dedicated her whole life to their service.'

Former US President Barack Obama said he and wife Michelle had been 'awed' by the Queen's 'legacy of tireless, dignified public service'.

In a statement posted on Twitter, he said her Majesty had 'captivated the world', adding: 'Her Majesty was just 25 years old when she took on the enormous task of helming one of the world's great democracies.

'In the decades that followed, she would go on to make the role of Queen her own - with a reign defined by grace, elegance, and a tireless work ethic, defying the odds and expectations placed on women of her generation.'

Mr Obama added that the Queen had been 'responsible for considerable diplomatic achievements', but also paid tribute to her willingness to take part in a comedy sketch at the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012.

'Michelle and I were lucky enough to come to know her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us,' he said.

'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 humour and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance.'

7.45pm: Harry and Meghan's Archewell website homepage honours the Queen

Harry and Meghan's Archewell website homepage has become a blacked-out landing page with the words: 'In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022.'

7.45pm: TSSA cancels planned strikes in September

The TSSA is cancelling planned industrial action in September, it said in a statement.

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7.52pm: Harry arrives at Balmoral at 7.52pm, more than an hour after arriving at Aberdeen Airport

7.52pm: Harry arrives at Balmoral... nearly two hours after royal courtiers announced the Queen's death

The Duke of Sussex arrives at Balmoral at 7.52pm, two hours after Buckingham Palace announced the Queen's death.

The Duke of Sussex's flight had been due to land at 6.29pm, a minute before the statement. But it was 20 minutes late taking off from London's Luton Airport - with flight data showing it departed at 5.35pm. It took one hour and 11 minutes to reach Aberdeen.

By the time he landed, at 6.46pm, it was 16 minutes after the palace had made the announcement.

Harry then faced a lonely drive to the castle, finally arriving at 7.52pm where he joined other members of the Royal Family in mourning the Queen's death.

He looked ashen-faced on the back seat of the Range Rover as it swept into the Balmoral estate. As well as losing a beloved grandmother, he may have been reflecting on his future without her as monarch. She remained fond of him, in spite of recent challenges, and he was said to have retained an ability to make her laugh.

By the time he arrived, his and Meghan's Archewell website homepage had been replaced with a respectful blackedout page with the words: 'In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022.'

7.56pm: Kensington Palace confirms Kate and William will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge

Kensington Palace has confirmed that Kate and William will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.

8.45pm: Police remove barriers blocking the gates to Balmoral to allow the public to lay flowers

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.

Gillian Neale and her daughter Jodie, 11, made the 45-minute trip from Alford, Aberdeenshire, to pay their respects at Balmoral Castle.

The 49-year-old braved the pouring rain and said: 'It's a very sad mood here. She was very popular around here, everybody loved her and she loved it here. We came here to be respectful.'

10.30pm: Fergie says she is 'heartbroken' at Queen's death in Twitter statement

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'.

In a statement on Twitter, she wrote: '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.

'She has given her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK & the Commonwealth. 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.

'I will miss her more than words can express.'

10.41pm: Britain and the world pay tribute to the Queen as colourful bouquets and rows of flickering candles light up Buckingham Palace... while American expats in California honour Her Majesty

Hundreds of colourful bouquets and rows of flickering candles brightened the gates of Buckingham Palace as night fell on Thursday.

A thousands-strong crowd remained outside the royal residence, with many huddled under umbrellas and tearfully consoling one another. Further back, others sporadically broke out into the national anthem and rounds of applause.

Dozens of police officers lined the gates while fans draped a huge union flag across the Victoria memorial opposite.

Meanwhile more than 5,000 miles away in California, expats and Americans alike came together to honour the Queen, in true British-style, at the pub.

At Ye Olde Kings Head, in Santa Monica, a shrine dedicated to the monarch, featuring candles, roses and pictures was placed outside.

11.17pm: BBC announces last two nights of The Proms are cancelled as a mark of respect

The BBC announced that the final two nights of The Proms had been cancelled as a mark of respect for the Queen.

'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 September 9, or the Last Night of the Proms on Saturday September 10,' the organisation tweeted.

Friday, September 8, 2022

6.30am: Early mourners arrive at Balmoral to pay their respects

From 6.30am on Friday, police started to let members of the public stand at the gates of Balmoral Castle to pay their respects to the Queen.

Several people walked to the entrance of the grounds of the Scottish royal retreat to lay bouquets of flowers as a tribute to the late monarch. One woman was spotted lighting a candle while others were seen reading personal notes written on the flowers.

Messages of thanks for the Queen and condolences to her family were left among the floral tributes from the public at the gates of Balmoral Castle.

One said: 'Thank you Queen Elizabeth II for your service to our nation.'

Another card said: 'Thank you for your dedication, service and reign. You have been a source of inspiration and a calming figure through my life.'

Dozens of bouquets were left by people who braved the heavy rain in north east Scotland to pay their respects. One tribute came in the shape of a model corgi - the Queen's beloved breed of dog. Another card was left by pupils from St Roman's Primary School more than 100 miles away in West Dumbartonshire. And another message simply said: 'Just thanks.'

8am: Enormous crowds flock to Buckingham Palace gates again

Hundreds of people gathered from 8am 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 were left overnight and early in the morning. A large Union flag in tones of black and grey was pinned to the right flank of the gates, while police officers kept a crowd back from the main gates further to the left.

Leo Cheung, 37, who has lived in London for 20 years after moving from Hong Kong, was one of hundreds of mourners to lay flowers at Buckingham Palace.

He said: 'We have a very strong connection to the Queen. We are quite neutral towards the royal family but the Queen has been there since we were born. She was part of our lives and it's sad to see someone we know pass away.'

Laura Huff, who moved to London three-and-a-half years ago from the US, was in tears as she paid her respects at Buckingham Palace.

'We always knew this day would come but it just seemed to happen quite quickly when it did. She was like a grandmother to the nation. As someone who wanted to move here my entire life, she was someone you always hear about and read about. I think she had a really strong sense of responsibility and you could really see that.'

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Prince Harry flies out of Aberdeen Airport in Scotland on Friday morning alone, around 12 hours after arriving at Balmoral

8.15am: Prince Harry leaves Balmoral... with grief etched on his face

The Duke of Sussex was seen leaving Balmoral at about 8.15am, with the convoy passing flowers that had been laid as tributes to his late grandmother.

9.12am: The Palace declares period of royal mourning and royal residences will close until after the Queen's funeral

In an announcement from 9.12am, Buckingham Palace says 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.

Courtiers also said royal residences will close until after the Queen's funeral, including the Queen's Gallery and the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, as well as the Queen's Gallery in Edinburgh.

Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House, the Queen's private estates, will also close for this period, as will Hillsborough Castle, the sovereign's official residence in Northern Ireland.

Those who wish to leave floral tributes at Buckingham Palace will be guided to lay them at dedicated sites in Green Park or Hyde Park, the Palace says. Flowers left outside the Palace gates will be moved to the Green Park Floral Tribute Garden 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 each evening and placed on the castle chapter grass on the south side of St George's Chapel and Cambridge Drive. At the Sandringham Estate, people 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, people 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 Palace's north turret. At Hillsborough Castle, floral tributes may be laid on the castle forecourt in front of the main gates.

9.30am: Ministers pay tribute to the Queen in Cabinet

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.

9.42am: The Palace announces service of prayer and reflection on the death of the Queen in St Paul's Cathedral at 6pm

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.

9.52am: Harry boards a BA flight at Aberdeen airport back to Heathrow

The Duke of Sussex was seen boarding a British Airways flight at Aberdeen International Airport.

Harry wore a black suit and carried a shoulder bag as he walked towards the steps of the plane. He was accompanied by a woman wearing a hi-vis vest, who he spoke with and at one stage he was seen placing his hand on her shoulder.

9.54am: Cabinet Office announces details of the Queen's funeral in 'due course'

Details of the Queen's funeral and other forthcoming ceremonial and commemorative events will be announced 'in due course', the Cabinet Office said.

The department also warned of crowding and delays on some public transport as people seek to pay their respects.

It said: 'We recognise that many people will travel to Buckingham Palace and other royal residences as a mark of their respect.

'We expect large crowds, which can pose risks to public safety. Those who do travel are asked to follow any instructions given to them by stewards and the police. We expect significant crowding and delays on some public transport. The public should check ahead and plan accordingly.

'As you would expect, a number of organisations will now be making practical preparations including contingency planning for the state funeral and related events. Access to some areas, especially in central London, will be restricted, with road closures and diversions that will cause delays to vehicles and pedestrians.

'Those who wish to lay floral tributes near royal residences in London, Windsor, Edinburgh, Balmoral and Sandringham are asked to do so only in designated areas, as directed by stewards. Further details will be made available shortly.'

10.20am: Prince Harry's BA flight leaves Aberdeen airport

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

11.27am: King Charles III is pictured leaving Balmoral with Queen Consort Camilla

The King was pictured in the back of a car, with the Queen in the front passenger seat, as they were driven in convoy over the River Dee towards Ballater.

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An emotional King Charles III leaving Balmoral on his way to Aberdeen Airport on the first leg of his journey to London

11.32am: Harry's BA flight lands at Heathrow

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.

12.10pm: MPs observe minute's silence in memory of the Queen in the Commons as they pay respects to Her Majesty

MPs have observed a minute's silence in memory of the Queen in the House of Commons chamber before paying their respects to the monarch.

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

Liz Truss said: 'We have witnessed the most heartfelt outpouring of grief' before declaring a new 'Carolean age' and saying: 'God save the King'.

Addressing MPs in the Commons for tributes to the Queen, she said: 'In the hours since last night's shocking news, we have witnessed the most heartfelt outpouring of grief at the loss of Her late Majesty the Queen. Crowds have gathered, flags have been lowered to half-mast, tributes have been sent from every continent around the world.'

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

She also said she spoke with the King last night, adding: 'In an instant yesterday our lives changed forever. Today we show the world that we do not fear what lies ahead.'

'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. 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'.

Sir Keir said the Queen did not simply 'reign over us', she lived 'alongside us'.

Paying tribute to the Queen in the Commons, the Labour leader said: 'All our thoughts are with her beloved family, our Royal Family, at this moment of profound grief.

'This is a deep and private loss for them, yet it's one we all share because Queen Elizabeth created a special, personal relationship with us all. That relationship was built on the attributes that defined her reign: her total commitment to service and duty, a deep devotion to the country, the Commonwealth, and the people she loved. In return for that, we loved her.'

Sir Keir added: 'And it is because of that great shared love that we grieve today. For the 70 glorious years of her reign, our Queen was at the heart of this nation's life. She did not simply reign over us, she lived alongside us, she shared in our hopes and our fears, our joy, and our pain. Our good times and our bad.'

12.18pm: The Palace announces King Charles III will be proclaimed at the Accession Council at 10am on Saturday

The King will be proclaimed at the Accession Council at 10am on Saturday in the State Apartments of St James's Palace, Buckingham Palace said.

Courtiers said: 'His Majesty The King will be proclaimed at the Accession Council at 10.00hrs 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.'

12.33pm: King Charles III arrives at Aberdeen airport to board plane to London

The King arrived with the Queen at Aberdeen International Airport, where they have boarded a plane to London, at 12.24pm.

Charles arrived at the airport in a dark suit and was carrying what appeared to be a folder or file as he made his way towards the plane.

Ge stopped to shake hands and chat to three people at the plane steps before Camilla, his new Queen Consort, joined him holding an umbrella. She was wearing a long black coat and made her way up the steps and on to the plane ahead of her husband.

Minutes later, at 12.33pm, the plane takes off.

1pm: Gun salutes are fired around the UK and overseas to mark the Queen's death

Royal salutes were fired with one round for every year of the Queen's life on Friday at 1pm in Hyde Park by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Thousands of people stood in solemn silence for 16 minutes as the cannons boomed once every 10 seconds, sending smoke across the grounds with each round, applauding as the spectacle came to an end.

1.05pm: Kensington Palace announces Prince William has left Balmoral for Windsor

The Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge left Balmoral and travelled back to Windsor to be with his family ahead of the Accession Council, Kensington Palace said.

It is also announced that William, who is a Privy Counsellor, will attend the Accession Council.

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The couple left the airport in a vintage Rolls-Royce for the journey to Buckingham Palace where thousands of people had gathered to greet them

1.36pm: King Charles III lands at RAF Northolt

A plane carrying the King landed at RAF Northolt in west London.

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.

At 1.55pm, the King and Queen left RAF Northolt by car for 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.

2.13pm: King Charles III arrives at Buckingham Palace for the first time as monarch and greets crowds of well-wishers

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

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Onlookers shouted three cheers for Charles as he spoke to countless onlookers who had gathered to mourn his mother

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Huge crowds cheered the couple as they arrived at the palace before the King left his car and began shaking hands with members of the public

The King arrived at Buckingham Palace for the first time as monarch.

At 2.20pm, the Royal Standard was raised above Buckingham Palace for the first time of the King's reign.

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 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.

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.

4.13pm: Mourners take their seats at St Paul's Cathedral ahead of 6pm service

At 4.13pm, mourners began to take their seats in St Paul's Cathedral for the service of prayer and reflection which will begin at 6pm.

4.18pm: King Charles III meets Liz Truss for the first time since the Queen's death, at Buckingham Palace

The King met Liz Truss for the first time since the Queen's death, at Buckingham Palace, at around 4.20pm.

The Prime Minister arrived at the central London residence this afternoon after the monarch returned from Balmoral.

It came after she had hailed his late mother for creating modern Britain as she launched a special session of the Commons.

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Historic moment King Charles III is declared sovereign