'The Queen was the rock on which modern Britain was built': Prime Minister Liz Truss leads Britain in mourning the monarch - and hails King Charles III - after the 'devastating' news of her death aged 96
- PM said the devastating' event marked the end of the second Elizabethan age
- She spoke in Downing Street , where Union Jacks flew at half mast
- Comes just days after Ms Truss travelled to Balmoral to formally be appointed
- The Queen's funeral: All the latest Royal Family news and coverage
Liz Truss hailed the Queen as 'the rock on which modern Britain was built' as she led the country in mourning the monarch's death at the age of 96.
The Prime Minister said the devastating' event marked the end of the second Elizabethan age and her passing was 'a great loss' the the nation and the world.
She spoke in Downing Street, where Union Jacks flew at half mast following the end of the Queen's 70-year reign.
She was informed of the monarch's death at around 4.30pm and spoke to the King after making her speech. She will met senior ministers later this evening.
The news that is rocking the nation comes just days after Ms Truss travelled to Balmoral on Tuesday to formally be appointed prime minister.
She was the 15th prime minister of the Queen's 70 year reign it and the 'kissing of hands' ceremony would become the Queen's final personal political role before passing away this afternoon.
Speaking solemnly, Ms Truss said: 'Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built.
'Our country has grown and flourished under her reign. Britain is the great country it is today because of her.'
Ms Truss referred to Charles, the new King, as King Charles III, saying: 'Today the Crown passes, as it has done for more than a thousand years, to our new monarch, our new head of state, his majesty King Charles III.'
She ended by saying: 'God save the king.'
The Prime Minister said the devastating' event marked the end of the second Elizabethan age and her passing was 'a great loss' the the nation and the world.
The death of the beloved monarch at the age of 96 comes just days after Ms Truss travelled to Balmoral on Tuesday to formally be appointed prime minister.
The Union Jacks above No10 Downing Street were at half-mast tonight
Praising the Queen, Ms Truss added: 'It's an extraordinary achievement to have presided with such dignity and grace for 70 years. 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.
'She has been a personal inspiration to me and to many Britons - her devotion to duty is an example to us all.'
Charles, the former Prince of Wales, is now King. He will address the shocked nation imminently, as the world grieves Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
All her children had rushed to Balmoral after doctors became 'concerned' for her health. Hours later she died, surrounded by her family.
At 6.30pm her death was confirmed. A Buckingham Palace spokesman 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'.
The Queen's death will see Britain and her Commonwealth realms enter into a ten-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad come to terms with her passing.
And as her son accedes to the throne, there will also be a celebration of her historic 70-year reign that saw her reach her Platinum Jubilee this year - a landmark unlikely to be reached again by a British monarch.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said: 'We will always treasure Queen Elizabeth II's life of service and devotion to our nation and the Commonwealth; our longest-serving and greatest monarch.
'Above the clashes of politics, she stood not for what the nation fought over, but what it agreed upon. As Britain changed rapidly around her, this dedication became the still point of our turning world.
'So as our great Elizabethan era comes to an end, we will honour the late Queen's memory by keeping alive the values of public service she embodied.
'For seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II stood as the head of our country. But, in spirit, she stood amongst us.'
Former Labour prime minister Sir Tony Blair said: 'We have lost not just our monarch but the matriarch of our nation, the figure who more than any other brought our country together, kept us in touch with our better nature, personified everything which makes us proud to be British.'
He said the Queen had been on 'sparkling form' when he last saw her a few months ago.
Former Conservative prime minister Sir John Major said the Queen had devoted her life to the service of our nation and its wellbeing.
He said: 'In her public duties she was selfless and wise, with a wonderful generosity of spirit. That is how she lived - and how she led.
'For millions of people - across the Commonwealth and the wider world - she embodied the heart and soul of our nation, and was admired and respected around the globe.
The Queen's reign of 70yers covered the terms in office of 15 prime ministers, starting with Sir Winston Churchill
'At this moment of deep sadness, I believe we all stand hand-in-hand with the Royal Family as they grieve the loss of one so loved.'
Theresa May, the Conservative prime minister between 2016 and 2019, said: 'Her Majesty devoted herself unreservedly to a life of service.
'She was respected and admired not only by her own people but far beyond our family of nations.'
The Conservative MP added: 'On the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Her Majesty reminded us to 'never give up, never despair'. It was an address that captured not just the national spirit, but Queen Elizabeth's spirit.
'A sense of quiet determination, of courage, of faith, and of hope in the future.'
Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron said there are 'no words that can adequately express the sense of loss our nation will feel'.
In a statement posted on Twitter, he said the Queen had been 'a rock of strength for our nation and the Commonwealth'.
He added he was 'very proud' to have served as the Queen's twelfth prime minister, adding it was a 'privilege' to call on her 'sage advice and wise counsel'.
Gordon Brown, Labour prime minister between 2007 and 2010, wrote on Twitter: 'The United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and the entire world are joined together in mourning this evening. HM Queen Elizabeth II served this country to the last. I offer my sincere condolences to the Royal Family. May she rest in peace.'
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