To mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II we have heard the bells toll at midday in churches across the country, including Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle.
At 1pm the King’s Troop Royal House Artillery fired the 96 rounds of salutes.
Currently, members of the House of Commons are paying their personal tributes to the Queen as a sign of respect and welcome to the new monarch, King Charles III. These tributes will continue until 10pm this evening.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Millions of us are trying to understand why we are feeling this deep and personal and almost familial sense of loss.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer stated: “The reason our loss feels so profound is not because she stood at the head of our country for 70 years but because, in spirit, she stood amongst us.”
Prime Minister Liz Truss described the Queen’s impact: “Her life of service stretched beyond most of our living memories. In return, she was loved and admired by the people in the United Kingdom and all around the world.”
For the rest of the afternoon we can expect King Charles III to hold an audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss.
At 6pm the King will make his first televised address as head of state to the nation.
Also at 6pm a remembrance service will take place in St Paul’s Cathedral in London. The service will be attended by the prime minister and other senior ministers.
Charles will be officially proclaimed as King at a meeting of the Accession Council on Saturday at 10am. The meeting will be televised for the first time in history.
