Nation mourns Her Majesty the Queen as new King leads tributes
King Charles III says "we mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother."
The death of the Queen has plunged a shocked nation into mourning for its longest-reigning monarch, with the new King expressing the "greatest sadness" at the loss of his "beloved mother".
As Britain and the rest of the world digested the news, tributes flooded in from around the globe, hailing the Queen's unwavering commitment to serving her country and the Commonwealth.
King Charles III acceded to the throne immediately on the death of Elizabeth II, who died peacefully at the age of 96 in the sanctuary of Balmoral Castle 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".
New King says "we mourn profoundly"
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.
"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."
Political leaders lead tributes
World leaders, celebrities and ordinary people - gathered at the gates of Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Windsor Castle - all paid tribute, with US president Joe Biden describing her as "a stateswoman of unmatched dignity".
Speaking at Bute First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Like everyone across Scotland, the United Kingdom, and indeed the world, I feel a deep sense of sadness on the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
“For more than seventy years Queen Elizabeth has been the great constant in our collective national life. She has inspired us, on occasion comforted us, and always personified the values we hold dear.”
Liz Truss - just two days after being confirmed as Prime Minister by Her Majesty - 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."
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