Queen latest LIVE: World reacts as Buckingham Palace announces death of the Queen, aged 96

The Queen has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The monarch passed away at her Balmoral estate in Scotland, the palace said.

In a short statement issued at 6.30pm, Buckingham Palace said: “ 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.”

Charles, who became King on the death of his mother, said: "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."

The announcement came after the Queen’s close family - including her four children Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward - had gathered at Balmoral to be with her.

Buckingham Palace had announced earlier on Thursday that she was under medical supervision with doctors concerned for her health.

The monarch had pulled out of a virtual Privy Council on Wednesday, a day after appointing Liz Truss as PM at her home in the Scottish Highlands.

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8 September 2022

Candles flicker as thousands keep vigil outside palace

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

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AFP via Getty Images

A thousands-strong crowd remains outside the royal residence, with many huddled under umbrellas and tearfully consoling one another.

Further back, others sporadically break out into the national anthem and rounds of applause.

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REUTERS

Dozens of police officers line the gates while mourners have draped a union flag across the Victoria memorial, outside the palace.

8 September 2022

Fergie pays tribute to ‘most incredible mother-in-law and friend’

Sarah, Duchess of York, says she is “heartbroken” at the death of her “most incredible” former mother-in-law, the Queen.

The Duchess - mother of princesses Beatrice and Eugenie - remembered the Queen’s “generosity” following her divorce from Prince Andrew.

She wrote on Twitter: “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.”

8 September 2022

Sporting fixtures cancelled and more expected to follow

Sporting events are being cancelled following the death of the Queen and more are expected to follow as a period of national mourning begins.

Decisions regarding further postponements in the calendar are set to be determined by official mourning guidance, which is due to be issued by the Cabinet Office.

However, it is understood it will be left to sports event organisers to decide how to proceed, and postponements will not be mandatory.

A meeting involving representatives from sports governing bodies and the Government is scheduled for Friday morning.

The English Football League has confirmed tomorrow night’s Championship game between Burnley and Norwich and the League Two match between Tranmere and Stockport have been postponed.

A decision on Saturday’s fixtures is yet to be made.

Meanwhile in rugby league, the RFL postponed Friday’s Betfred Championship fixture between Sheffield Eagles and Dewsbury Rams. Further announcements about the weekend’s fixtures at all levels are set to be made “as soon as possible”, the governing body said.

The British Horseracing Authority also announced events scheduled for Friday – including the third day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster – have been cancelled.

In cycling, tomorrow’s Tour of Britain stage has been cancelled with a decision on the rest of the tour to be made.

8 September 2022

Putin sends personal message of condolence to King Charles

Vladimir Putin has reached out to King Charles III in a telegram, despite tensions over the war in Ukraine.

Expressing his sympathies to the royal family, the Russian President described Queen Elizabeth’s death as a “heavy, irreparable loss”.

He wrote: “The most important events in the recent history of the United Kingdom are inextricably linked with the name of Her Majesty.

“For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage.

“I wish you courage and perseverance in the face of this heavy, irreparable loss. I ask you to convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the members of the royal family and all the people of Great Britain.”

8 September 2022

Empire State Building glows purple for Queen

Some of the world’s most famous landmarks are switching off their lights following the death of the Queen.

New York’s Empire State Building glowed in regal purple this evening, while the mayor of Paris said lights at the Eiffel Tower would be turned off as a mark of respect.

In the UK, the London Eye said it would be switching off its lights from sunset on Thursday.

In a statement, the landmark’s Twitter account said: “The London Eye will join with mourners around the world during this period of national remembrance.

“In honour of Her Majesty, we will switch off our lights from sunset this evening.

“We give thanks for the extraordinary life and work of Her Majesty the Queen – her decades of devoted service to her country will remain an inspiration to us all.”

8 September 2022

King to address the nation tomorrow

Britain’s new monarch, King Charles III, will address the nation on Friday, his spokesman said.

It will be his first speech following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth, and his ascension to the throne.

8 September 2022

Thousands gather in darkness to honour Queen

A sea of people remains gathered outside Buckingham Palace, to pay respects to the longest reigning monarch in British history.

As rain continues to fall in London, thousands of people keep vigil outside the palace gates, while crowds also gather at royal residences such as Balmoral and Windsor Castle.

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Mourners gathered outside Buckingham Palace
PA
8 September 2022

Rail and Royal Mail strikes cancelled in wake of Queen’s death

Planned strikes by rail and postal workers have been called off as a result of the Queen’s death.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union were due to walk out on September 15 and 17 in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

Its general secretary Mick Lynch said: “RMT joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth.

“The planned railway strike action on September 15 and 17 is suspended.

“We express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country.”

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) also called off planned strikes.

A statement said: “Upon the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has died, TSSA union expresses deepest condolences to her family, friends, the country and those affected by her passing.

“TSSA is cancelling planned industrial action for September and will be respecting the period of public mourning. The union pays respect to Britain’s longest-serving monarch.”

Members of the Communication Workers Union were due to continue a 48-hour walkout on Friday in a dispute over pay and conditions.

General secretary Dave Ward said: “Following the very sad news of the passing of the Queen and out of respect for her service to the country and her family, the union has decided to call off tomorrow’s planned strike action.”

The train drivers union Aslef has also suspended a planned strike.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We welcome the unions’ decision to call off next week’s strikes and we join them and the rest of the railway family in sending our condolences to the royal family.”

8 September 2022

Selfridges to stay closed on Friday as mark of respect

Department store Selfridges has paid tribute to the Queen, saying it will not open its doors tomorrow.

The company closed early on Thursday and said it would remain closed all day Friday before reopening at the weekend.

“It is with deep sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II,” it said in a statement.

“Queen Elizabeth has been a reassuring constant throughout our lives, ascending to the throne on February 6, 1952, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

“Over the past 70 years, her Majesty has been dedicated to the service of our country and the Commonwealth, demonstrating an enormous sense of duty and commitment.”

8 September 2022

Watch: Mourners break into rendition of ‘God save the King’

A video shows the moment emotional crowds outside Buckingham Palace sang a modified rendition of the national anthem this afternoon.

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