The Queen’s death updates: Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96

King Charles has been warmly received by mourners and well-wishers gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace, accepting a long-stemmed red rose and even a kiss on the cheek.

The King arrived in London after lunchtime, after departing Balmoral following the Queen’s death on Thursday.

The royal convoy drove up the mall where some well-wishers were gathered.

King Charles greets well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace.Credit: Latika Bourke

But it was outside the gates where the largest crowds were gathered hoping to glimpse the King.

They ended up experiencing a whole lot more than just a sight. As his convoy appeared the crowd began cheering and chanting ‘God save the King.’

Camilla, Queen consort then got out of the car first, followed by the new monarch.

Charles then headed straight to the crowds to shake hands with scores of members of the public who clamoured to speak to him and exchange a handshake.

The frequent cry of “God save the King” could be heard.

Some also told him that they loved him.

“We love you King Charles,” one said.

Some broke out into song, singing the national anthem: “God save the King” and there was several rounds of “hip, hip, hooray.”

The pair inspected some of the many flowers and cards laid out at the gates before entering Buckingham Palace on foot, for the first time as King and Queen Consort.

Herald reporter Zoe Samios just saw King Charles drive past around the corner from Buckingham Palace.

She is now outside the gates. Here’s how she described the moment:

“To be honest the whole thing was pretty surreal. I couldn’t work out what was going on initially.

“Everyone in the crowd was pretty quiet Charles and Camilla arrived - it was quite weird actually. But then they came out of the car and everyone started clapping and cheering.

“I haven’t seen anything like it before. I think everyone was still shocked. It was really special.“

Zoe also went to Buckingham Palace straight after the Queen’s death was announced and you can read her piece on that here.

And that’s where we’ll leave our live coverage for today.

But our rolling coverage continues at Friday’s blog which you can follow here.

King Charles III and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla have touched down in London and are on their way to Buckingham Palace.

Britain’s King Charles III, right, waits as an assistant opens an umbrella for Camilla, the Queen Consort, left, as they arrive at Aberdeen Airport to travel to London.Credit: PA

Charles will address the nation in around four hours’ time.

Earlier in London, bells tolled and cannons fired to mark Queen Elizabeth’s death.

Members of the Honourable Artillery Company prepare for a 96-gun salute at 1pm in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II at Tower Bridge.Credit: Getty

As I mentioned earlier, I hurried out to my local stores in southeast London this morning to try and get a hard copy of the newspapers marking the tectonic change taking place in Britain right now, but they were all empty.

If you’re so inclined, here is what our front pages of our commemorative editions look like, courtesy of Age editor Gay Alcorn and The Herald’s Bevan Shields.

Premier League clubs have decided to cancel this weekend’s matches as well as Monday night’s game as a mark of respect during the national mourning.

“We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country,” Richard Masters, CEO of Premier League Chief Executive, said.

“As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.

“This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation, but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”

King Charles III will be proclaimed at the Accession Council at 10 am local time on Saturday at St James Palace.

Buckingham Palace said the King would make his declaration and read and sign an oath to uphold the security of the church in Scotland and approve Orders in Council.

The principal proclamation will be read one hour later from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s Palace.

Flags, currently at half-mast will be flown at full-mast temporarily.

The House of Commons is sitting to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth and will sit on Saturday - something that is rare and last happened during debate on implementing Brexit.

It is quite the sight, every MP crammed into the chamber is dressed in black.

Prime Minister Liz Truss began the tributes.

“Never has a promise been so completely fulfilled,” she said, of the young monarch’s promise to dedicate her life to the nation and Commonwealth.

“She reinvented monarch for the modern age,” she said.

She praised the Queen’s ability to have fun, “whether on a mission with James Bond or having tea with Paddington Bear.”

Opposition Leader Keir Starmer is giving one of the best speeches of his career.

“Our country feels caught between a past it cannot live and a future yet to be revealed,” he said. But invoking the Elizabethan spirit was what the country needed to do.

“We are always better when we rise above the petty, the trivial, the day-to-day, to focus on the things that really matter, the things that unite us, rather than those that divide us.

“To show the same love of country, love one another, as she did,” he said.

King Charles III and his wife the Queen consort, Camilla, have left Balmoral and are headed for London.

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort leave the Balmoral estate as they return to London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.Credit: Getty

They boarded a plane at Aberdeen Airport, offering the world this first clear glimpse of the new monarch.

Britain’s King Charles III leaves Aberdeen Airport as he travels to London following Thursday’s death of Queen Elizabeth II.Credit: PA

We are well-used to seeing the Sydney Opera House illuminated to mark significant events, but tonight’s image is above and beyond.

Our photographer Wolter Peeters has just filed this beautiful image of the sails lit up with the Queen’s face.

An image of the Queen is projected on the Sydney Opera House on Friday night.Credit: Wolter Peeters

Liz Truss has spoken for the first time in her capacity as the UK’s new prime minister to Anthony Albanese.

The pair spoke by phone a short time ago. Their conversation was revealed by a Downing Street spokeswoman.

“The Prime Minister spoke to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this morning,” the spokeswoman said.

“The leaders shared their condolences following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, and agreed she had touched the lives of many, both in Australia and the UK.”

A spokesman for Albanese said the Australian Prime Minister offered sincere condolences to the government and people of the United Kingdom.

“And Prime Minister Truss gave her condolences to all Australians at this sad time,” the spokesman said.

“Prime Minister Albanese congratulated Prime Minister Truss on her election and the two Prime Ministers committed to build on the deep links between our two nations.”

Their call was scheduled before the monarch’s death.

Albanese will likely meet Truss when he flies to the UK to meet King Charles III.