A nation unites in mourning for Her Majesty: The Queen’s loyal public gather outside Balmoral, Windsor and Buckingham Palace to pay emotional tributes to the Monarch
- Hundreds of well-wishers flocked to Buckingham Palace this evening as news broke of the Queen’s death
- A Union flag lowered at 6.30pm. It drew gasps from the crowd who knew what the symbolic gesture meant
- Some people in the crowd wept as others gave an impromptu rendition of the anthem God Save The Queen
- Two members of the Queens household emerged and placed a notice of the Queen’s passing on the gates
- Around 100,000 people are expecting to line the streets outside Buckingham Palace this evening. Already crowds now stretch for more than a mile to Trafalgar Square
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
The Queen’s loyal public are gathering outside Balmoral Castle, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace as they pay emotional tributes to the Monarch who has died today aged 96.
Thousands of well-wishers flocked to Buckingham Palace this evening as news broke of the Queen’s death.
Tourists and concerned Britons headed to the iconic London landmark, while people also congregated outside the royal castle in Aberdeenshire to mourn for Her Majesty.
Her son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, is now King. The Queen’s children and grandchildren travelled to be with her this afternoon after doctors said they were ‘concerned’ for her health.
Around 100,000 people are expecting to line the streets outside Buckingham Palace this evening. Already crowds now stretch for more than a mile to Trafalgar Square.
At 6.30pm a Union flag atop Buckingham Palace lowered. It drew gasps from the crowd who knew what the symbolic gesture meant.
The sad news of Queen Elizabeth II death was then announced officially. Some people in the crowd wept as others gave an impromptu rendition of God Save The Queen.
Two members of the Queens household emerged and placed a notice of the Queen’s passing on the gates of Buckingham Palace.
The crowd surged to the gates as the notice announcing the death of the only monarch most Britons have ever known was attached to the black iron gates.
On the grand Mall boulevard leading to the palace, black London taxis lined up in tribute.
Royal super fan John Loughrey, 67, fought back tears and said: ‘I can’t believe the news, I’m devastated.
‘I didn’t think she was going to die today, I knew she was ill but I hoped she would survive a few more months.
‘She deteriorated when her husband Prince Philip passed away. They were soul mates. They were like swans, together forever.
‘I met her twice and I thought she was marvellous. The news hasn’t really sunk in. I’m going to miss her so much.’
The Queen ‘s loyal public are gathering outside Balmoral Castle , Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace as they pay emotional tributes to the Monarch who has died today aged 96
Thousands of well-wishers flocked to Buckingham Palace this evening as news broke of the Queen’s death
People gather to pay their respects outside of Buckingham Palace, after the announcement of the death of Her Majesty
Crowds gather on the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace following the death today of Queen Elizabeth II in Balmoral
Crowds gather in front of Buckingham Palace to pay their respects following the death the Queen
The sad news of Queen Elizabeth II death was then announced officially. Some people in the crowd wept as others gave an impromptu rendition of God Save The Queen
On the grand Mall boulevard leading to the palace, black London taxis lined up in tribute
Mourners perch on the Victoria Memorial located at the end of The Mall in London
People react outside the Buckingham Palace, after Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the nation’s figurehead for seven decades, died aged 96
Police officers stand guard as flowers are laid at a gate of Buckingham Palace
Thousands have amassed along Pall Mall in the St James’s area of the City of Westminster
Well-wishers gather outside Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history and an icon instantly recognisable to billions of people around the world, has died aged 96
The electronic billboard at Piccadilly Circus paid tribute to the Queen who has died aged 96
A woman holds a bouquet of flowers as crowds gather in front of Buckingham Palace to pay their respects
A policewoman lays tributes outside Buckingham Palace following the death today of Queen Elizabeth II in Balmoral
A young girl lays flowers at the gates of Balmoral Castle after the death of the Queen was announced
Mourners gather outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II
The world’s media and members of the public gather outside Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s residence in London
Mourners lay flowers outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II
At 6.30pm a Union flag atop Buckingham Palace lowered. It drew gasps from the crowd who knew what the symbolic gesture meant
Around 100,000 people are expecting to line the streets outside Buckingham Palace this evening. Already crowds now stretch for more than a mile to Trafalgar Square
A board is put at the gates of Buckingham Palace stating that she died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon
Thousands gathered outside Buckingham Palace, in central London, and there was a stunned silence when the flag was lowered to half-mast. Pictured: A woman reacts to the news of the Queen’s death
Royal super fan John Loughrey, 67, fought back tears and said: ‘I can’t believe the news, I’m devastated’
Members of the public gather outside of Windsor Castle
News that the queen’s health was deteriorating emerged shortly after midday on Thursday when her doctors said she was under medical supervision, prompting her family to rush to Scotland to be by her side.
The crowd surged to the gates as the notice announcing the death of the only monarch most Britons have ever known was attached to the black iron gates
Two members of the Queens household emerged and placed a notice of the Queen’s passing on the gates of Buckingham Palace
A woman places flowers outside Buckingham Palace
A woman places flowers outside Buckingham Palace, after Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the nation’s figurehead for seven decades, died aged 96
Members of the public leave flowers outside Windsor Castle after Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle
The Union flag on Buckingham Palace in London is lowered after the death of Queen Elizabeth II
‘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,’ the new king, her eldest son Charles, said. Pictured: People gather outside Buckingham Palace
The queen had been suffering from what Buckingham Palace had called ‘episodic mobility problems’ since the end of last year, forcing her to withdraw from nearly all her public engagements. Her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, died in 2021
Announcement of The Queen’s passing at Buckingham Palace this evening
An announcement regarding the death of Her Majesty is displayed on the gates of Buckingham Palace as people take photographs
The 96-year-old Queen was the longest reigning monarch in British history
A man stands outside Buckingham Palace draped in a Union Jack flag featuring pictures of the Queen as he is interviewed by a reporter
Colicci, a cafe in Green Park opposite Buckingham Palace should have closed at 6.30pm but decided to remain open for another two hours to cater for the huge crowds who turned up to pay tribute to her majesty
London black cabs lining The Mall leading up to Buckingham Palace to silently pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
A woman carries a bouquet of flowers as she walks along Pall Mall lined with black cabs
A crowd quickly gathers around the Victoria Monument at Buckingham Palace where the flag is at half mast
A taxi displaying a photograph of The Queen weaves through crowds of well-wishers on The Mall as people gather outside Buckingham Palace
Rhian Wadsworth, 30, from Manchester said: ‘I’m shocked, I wasn’t expecting it. I’m not a big Royalist but I loved the Queen, she was the last true great Royal.
‘There was never any drama from her, she did her duty diligently right to the end. She’ll be really missed.’
Callum Kendal, 23, arrived with flowers to lay at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
He said: ‘I’m shell shocked. The Queen has been there throughout my lifetime, that she’s no longer with us leaves me with a real sick feeling in my gut.
‘I heard the news that she’d gone at work and so I felt I had to head to Buckingham Palace and pay my respects and leave these flowers as a symbol of what she meant to me and the whole country.’
Colicci, a cafe in Green Park opposite Buckingham Palace should have closed at 6.30pm but decided to remain open for another two hours to cater for the huge crowds who turned up to pay tribute to her majesty.
Brijesh Patel, senior supervisor at the cafe said: ‘It’s a very sad day, she served the nation for nearly all her life.
‘She kept up her duties even though she was in very poor health and that deserves so much respect.
‘We were due to close but the news came through that the Queen had gone.
‘We could hear the murmurings in the crowd and then I checked my phone and saw the news has been officially announced.
‘There’s a lot of people here and we wanted to make sure they were catered for with food and hot drinks so we decided to stay open for another two hours.’
An onlooker who watched as the notice of Queen Elizabeth’s deaths was attached to the gates of Buckingham Palace said: ‘One member of the Royal Household appeared to be shaking slightly such was the magnitude of the event.
‘I don’t blame him as this is probably one of the most important tasks he will have performed or will ever perform.’
The notice read: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
‘The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.’
A police officer finishing his shift told how officers were briefed moments before the announcement was made public.
He said simply: ‘I served her for 22-years in the army. It was a very sombre moment.’
Callum Kendal, 23, arrived with flowers to lay at the gates of Buckingham Palace
A man looks on holding a Union flag umbrella as a rainbow is seen outside of Buckingham Palace
People walk towards Buckingham Palace through Green Park following the announcement of the death of the Queen
Well-wishers wait anxiously for news outside Buckingham Palace this afternoon following the statement by the Royal Family
Hundreds of well-wishers flocked to Buckingham Palace this evening as news broke of the Queen’s health fears
Tourists and concerned Britons headed to the iconic London landmark to wish Her Majesty well
People react as they gather outside Buckingham Palace, central London
Well-wishers bring flowers as the rain falls outside Buckingham Palace
Concerned members of the public look on as they shelter from the rain and wait for news of the Queen at Balmoral Castle
Her Majesty had been under medical supervision since this morning after doctors became ‘concerned’ for her health
Crowds were gathering in the streets outside of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire
A well-wisher waits with a bunch of flowers outside the gates of Balmoral Castle as the public waited for more news
Police erected a number of barriers for the public and press to stand behind a short distance away from the castle gates
Large crowds are also gathering outside Buckingham Palace as the British public show their support for the Queen
Schoolgirl Erynn Henderson and her mother Susan drove through the Highlands to offer their condolences to the royal family outside the castle.
The 15-year-old told MailOnline: ‘We’ve come to pay our respects to the Queen and offer our condolences to the royal family.’
Susan added: ‘I’ve followed the royal family through their ups and downs all my life. And the Queen was the best. She was very stoic. A really nice person.
Mother and daughter had driven from their home in Blairgowrie to Balmoral.
Tracy Kidd, 52, from Dundee had driven up to Ballater to offer her support to the Queen and the rest of the royal family.
She said: ‘I’m in shock. I don’t really know what to say. I have always admired the royal family, particularly the Queen.
‘She was such an amazing person. She has always been so well respected.’
Police put up barriers outside the estate for members of the public to stand behind as they showed their support for the monarch before her passing was announced.
The crowds were being kept back from the castle gates as members of the Royal Family arrived at Balmoral to see the Queen.
Her Majesty had been under medical supervision since this morning after doctors became concerned about her health.
Prince Charles, Princess and Prince William were at the Queen’s bedside, while Prince Harry is still traveling to Balmoral Castle.
Prince Edward and Prince Andrew also joined the rest of the Royal Family.
Crowds were waiting for any further news at the front of the castle as more members of the Royal Family arrive
Media are waiting alongside members of the public following a statement released by Buckingham Palace this afternoon
Police are guarding the gates of Balmoral Castle and have closed the public access road which leads to the famous estate
Members of the public wished the Queen well earlier today.
Gord Ellenson, 59, from Toronto in Canada, said: ‘I’ve always liked the Queen, although I’ve never had the privilege of seeing her when she’s made the trips to Canada.
‘We have our own Constitution but we’re part of the Commonwealth and she’s our head of state.
‘At school there was a portrait of the Queen hanging up in the classroom. We used to sing ‘God Save The Queen’ in the mornings.
‘She’s been on the throne throughout my lifetime. To think she may no longer be here is just weird, really surreal.
‘I hope she pulls through and it’s not as serious as we all fear. She’s shown exemplary service for so many years.’
Jane Carroll, 67, from Reigate, in Surrey, heard the news as she was walking through nearby Green Park with a friend.
She said: ‘I’m surprised a little that her health seems to have taken a sudden decline but she looked quite frail a few days ago when she met Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
‘I think that must have really taken it out of her and she did tremendously well to cope with it all.
‘The most important thing is that she’s not in any pain and I’m glad she’s said to be comfortable up in Balmoral.’
Lucia Perez, 36, originally from Argentina but now living in Barcelona, Spain, said: ‘It feels like quite a momentous occasion.
‘I only heard that she was said to be quite ill less than an hour ago.
‘I wanted to see Buckingham Palace right from when I first arrived in London but today it’s taken on added significance.
‘I’ve noticed people asking police officers by the gates to the palace what’s going on. We are all keen to find out the latest news and how the Queen is.
‘My heart is with her and her family, I give them my best wishes. The Queen is truly an international figure.’
Her sentiments were echoed by Chris Schmid, 46, from Geneva, Switzerland who added: ‘I hope she recovers well from this health scare.
‘She is important to the British people and to many others across the world.
‘You have to remember that she’s been on the throne for 70-years which is a very long time and she had performed her duties well.
‘I think she is with her family and has the best doctors and hopefully that will help. There will be many prayers for her tonight.’
Balmoral had long been one of the Queen’s favourite places and she was said to never be happier than when staying there.
She travelled to the estate in Aberdeenshire each summer, with members of her family invited to spend time with her while she was there.
A number of vehicles have been coming and going from the gates of Balmoral today as police stand guard
Police are continuing to put down barriers in front of the Scottish castle as the crowds grow on the surrounding roads
Rain has been pouring down at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire as the British public wait for further news
The plane carrying the Queen’s children and grandchildren land in Aberdeen – the nearest airport to Balmoral
Members of the Royal Family and their aides board a RAF jet for Aberdeen to get to the Queen’s side amid concerns for her health
A Royal flight taking family members including Prince Harry and Prince Andrew to Balmoral takes off from RAF Northolt in London this afternoon
Balmoral Castle was handed down to her through generations of royals after being bought for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852.
The Queen’s traditional annual stay at the main property – after a break at Craigowan Lodge on the estate in July – usually stretched through August and September and into October.
This year she travelled to Balmoral on July 21 and remained at the estate to appoint a new prime minister there for the first time in her reign on Tuesday.
The 96-year-old monarch, who faced ongoing mobility issues, traditionally held audiences with outgoing and incoming premiers at Buckingham Palace but this year stayed in Scotland.
Outgoing prime minister Boris Johnson and his successor Liz Truss made the 1,000-mile round trip to Aberdeenshire for the key audiences this week.
It came after the Queen broke with convention earlier this summer when inspecting a guard of honour to officially mark taking up residence at her Scottish home.
Traditionally she inspected the guard of honour at the gates of Balmoral but this year she held the event privately within the estate’s grounds for her ‘comfort’, sources said.
Princess Eugenie, the Queen’s granddaughter, once described Balmoral as the most beautiful place on the planet.
‘Walks, picnics, dogs – a lot of dogs, there’s always dogs – and people coming in and out all the time,’ she said.
‘It’s a lovely base for Granny and Grandpa, for us to come and see them up there; where you just have room to breathe and run.’
Years of royal memories have been forged at Balmoral, including family barbecues – where the Duke of Edinburgh did the cooking and the Queen the washing-up.
After Philip and Princess Elizabeth married in 1947, they spent part of their honeymoon at Birkhall – a grand hunting lodge on the Balmoral estate.
The Queen was staying with her grandsons William and Harry at Balmoral when their mother Diana, Princess of Wales died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
Some also arrived at Windsor Castle in Berkshire this afternoon as concern about The Queen continues to grow
Growing crowds have gathered outside Buckingham Palace as the public show their support for The Queen
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