King Charles III leads tributes to 'cherished' Queen

The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has caused shock across the country with the nation mourning its longest-reigning monarch.

The new King has led tributes expressing the “greatest sadness” at the loss of his “beloved mother”.

King Charles III acceded to the throne immediately on the death of Elizabeth II, who passed away peacefully at the age of 96 in the sanctuary of Balmoral Castle with her family on the afternoon of Thursday, September 8.

One of the first acts of the new monarch was to speak of his grief and highlight the “respect and deep affection” in which the Queen was “so widely held”.

He is expected to address the nation in the coming days.

A girl leaves flowers on a bridge near Balmoral. Getty Images

As the world digested the news, tributes flooded in from far and wide hailing the Queen’s unwavering commitment to serving her country and the Commonwealth.

As dawn broke over Scotland on Friday, people were continuing to leave flowers and tributes outside the Queen’s residences – including Balmoral Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Charles, whose wife Camilla is now Queen, said in a written statement: “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother.

Clarence House confirmed Charles will be known as King Charles III.Clarence House/ Twitter

“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”

Earlier this week, the Queen was pictured meeting Liz Truss as she appointed the 15th Prime Minister of her 70-year reign.

On Thursday, just two days into her role, the PM heralded the late monarch’s “great legacy” outside Downing Street as news of the end of the New Elizabethan era became a reality.

“Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built. Our country has grown and flourished under her reign,” she said.

“Britain is the great country it is today because of her.”

The nation came to a halt to mourn its former monarch, with the Mercury Prize for leading musicians postponed and play at the PGA Championship golf event at Wentworth suspended, amid wall-to-wall coverage on TV channels.

Flags will fly at half-mast on UK Government buildings in tribute to the Queen from now until the morning after her funeral.

Her death in Scotland has triggered contingency plans codenamed Operation Unicorn.

Part of the long-held so-called London Bridge arrangements for the aftermath of the monarch’s death, Unicorn sets in motion additional ceremonial events in Edinburgh ahead of the logistics of moving the Queen’s coffin back to London.