King Charles III leads tributes to 'cherished' Queen

Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Scotland says the Queen was the epitome of "duty, stability, wisdom and grace" throughout her reign.

"Her Majesty loved the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth loved her," she adds.

The statement highlighted a passage from the Bible: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

"I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid [John 14:27]."

The Commonwealth is a group of 56 countries - most, but not all, have historical links to the British Empire.

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The head of the British armed forces has also expressed his condolences to King Charles III and the Royal Family.

Adm Sir Tony Radakin called the relationship between the Queen and the armed forces "deeply personal".

"Through her own service in the Second World War, and as the wife, mother and grandmother of service personnel, the Queen understood better than most the burdens and the glory of a life in uniform".

Adm Radakin added that sailors, soldiers and aviators will perform their final duty "to a much loved sovereign" in the coming days with "admiration and gratitude".

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As people across Asia wake up to the news of the Queen's passing, political leaders sent their condolences.

In Japan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his "deep sorrow".

"The death of the Queen, who led Britain through turbulent times in the world, is a great loss not only for the British people but also the international community," he told reporters.

In Singapore - formerly ruled by the British and a member of the Commonwealth - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote on Facebook the Queen's passing "is greatly mourned by everyone in Singapore."

"She performed her duties with devotion, grace and humility. Her contributions to the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and indeed the world will be recorded in history."

In a video tribute, Anthony Albanese calls the Queen a "wise and encouraging guide" who brought "comfort, hope and solace for millions of Australians".

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Indian Prime Narendra Modi recalled one special moment with the Queen when he sent his condolences. He remembered her showing him the handkerchief given to her by Mahatma Gandhi for her wedding.

The late hour in India did not stop grieving messages from flooding social media. As newspapers got ready to print the headline that Indians will wake up to on Friday morning, digital portals were abuzz with the Queen’s photographs and memories of her three past visits to the country.

In 1961, the Queen became the first reigning British monarch to visit India in 50 years. It’s from then that her association with the country began.

She came again in 1983 and her last visit was in 1997. There was a gap of barely five years between India gaining independence and the Queen ascending the throne.

The story of the rise of an independent India and the rise of the Queen as the longest-serving British monarch will always be intertwined.

The UK's newspapers have published their first editions since the Queen's death. Here are a selection of their historic front pages:

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See all the day's front pages here.

The Dutch and Spanish royal families have paid their respects and spoken of their sadness at the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Spain's King Felipe VI spoke of the Queen's sense of duty and commitment as being an example "for us all".

Quote Message: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has been without doubt a witness to, a writer of and privy to the majority of the most important chapters in the history of our world over the last seven decades.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has been without doubt a witness to, a writer of and privy to the majority of the most important chapters in the history of our world over the last seven decades.

In a statement, the Dutch Royal House said it would remember the Queen with "deep respect and great affection".

Quote Message: We are very grateful for our countries' close friendship, to which Queen Elizabeth made such an unforgettable contribution. from King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix Dutch Royal House

We are very grateful for our countries' close friendship, to which Queen Elizabeth made such an unforgettable contribution.

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The young Princess Elizabeth spent her childhood in the spotlight.

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It is with "great sadness" that New Zealand has woken to the news, the country's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said. She herself had been woken from her sleep pre-dawn by her security detail, she added.

The Queen was the first British monarch to visit the southern Pacific nation, opening its parliament in 1953, and then returning nine more times.

"The last days of the Queen's life capture how she was in so many ways: working to the very end on the behalf of the people she loved," said Ardern, referring to the monarch appointing the new British prime minister on Tuesday.

Ardern said she defined notions of "service, charity and consistency" as well demonstrating courage and compassion over decades.

And lastly: "A strong memory I will have of her is laughter. She was extraordinary."

Flags will fly at half-mast across the country until after the Queen's funeral, and condolence books have been set up.

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Thousands of miles away from home, Britons in southern California have gathered in a traditional British pub to pay their respects to the royal.

Mourners have left candles and roses outside of Ye Olde Kings Head in Santa Monica, remarking that they felt “homesick” commemorating the Queen’s passing in the US state away from family and friends.

Lydia Williams, 24, said it was “a strange feeling being away from home” while the death was “such a big British moment for British people to feel together”.

Tatiana Ashborn, 19, an actress from the UK, added that receiving news of the monarch's death had been "devastating". "We both cried, we were both so sad," she said.

Elsewhere in Los Angeles, Bafta has cancelled its annual tea party in the city, saying it was "deeply saddened" by the news.

Musicians who performed for and were honoured by the Queen have been joining the tributes.

Sir Elton John said the monarch was "a huge part of my life from childhood to this day".

"She was an inspiring presence to be around," he wrote on social media, adding that she led the country "through some of our greatest, and darkest, moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth".

Dame Shirley Bassey noted how the monarch "remained steadfast, dignified, inspirational".

"Her courage was mighty, her example iconic," she said.

Sir Paul McCartney simply wrote: "God bless Queen Elizabeth II. May she rest in peace. Long live the King."

And Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger remembered the Queen as the "much beloved grandmother of the nation". There are more tributes from stars here.

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Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to the Queen saying she was "a monarch who let her humanity show".

He reflected on the "sympathy and personal kindness" she extended to Australians who'd been afflicted by tragedy and disaster during her reign.

Albanese added, "From her famous first trip to Australia [in 1954], the only reigning sovereign to ever visit, it was clear Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia".

He says his government and the people of Australia offer their deepest condolences to the Royal Family, adding "Australian hearts go out to the people of the United Kingdom".

Quote Message: This is a loss we all feel, for few have known a world without Queen Elizabeth II. In her seven remarkable decades on the throne, Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change. Through the noise and tumult of the years, she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm

This is a loss we all feel, for few have known a world without Queen Elizabeth II. In her seven remarkable decades on the throne, Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change. Through the noise and tumult of the years, she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm

Australia's parliament will be suspended for at least 15 days as the prime minister and governor-general travel to London, where they are expected to meet King Charles III and attend the Queen's funeral.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his "deepest condolences" to King Charles III on the death of his mother, Tass news agency reports.

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

Putin wished King Charles "courage and resilience in the face of this heavy, irreparable loss".

King Charles, among with other members of the Royal Family, expressed support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion earlier this year. "We are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression," he said at the time.

In central London earlier, crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

People sporadically broke out into the national anthem and rounds of applause.

Many members of the public started leaving flowers at the gate of the palace before news of her death was announced. The British flag at the Palace was then lowered to half-mast and many others joined mourners at The Mall to pay homage to the longest-serving monarch in British history.

As head of the Commonwealth throughout her reign, the Queen nurtured and shaped a unique international organisation whose leaders past and present relied on her wisdom and judgement.

There was gratitude from across the group of nations, and respect for a life of duty and service to an international body comprising more than two and a half billion people.

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said the Queen personified dignity and decency in public life.

In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Queen’s commitment and dedication was a noble and virtuous example to the entire world.

The president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, described the Queen as “the rock” that kept the Commonwealth “sturdy and true”, remembering her “elegance, style and the sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties”.

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She’s best known for her dedication to duty – but the Queen wasn’t afraid of causing a stir either, says historian and author Robert Lacey.

In 1961, around the time of the breakup of Britain’s empire, President Nkrumah of Ghana was “a very controversial figure” and the government of the day didn’t want the Queen to visit, Lacey tells Newshour.

But the Queen went anyway - and was photographed dancing and smiling with Nkrumah.

The images shocked people around the world, adds Lacey, as “this was the age of apartheid, this is the age when in America 33 states still banned interracial marriage… and here was this young Queen just un-self-consciously standing up for what mattered".

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The Duchess of York, the former wife of Prince Andrew, says she is heartbroken by the death of the Queen.

The duchess says Queen Elizabeth II will leave behind "an extraordinary legacy", adding that she was a fantastic example of duty, service and steadfastness.

And on a personal note, the duchess says the Queen had been "the most incredible" mother-in-law and friend.

Sarah Ferguson adds that she will always be grateful for the monarch's generosity and closeness "even after my divorce".

"I will miss her more than words can express."

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US President Joe Biden has just visited the British embassy in Washington DC to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth and sign a book of condolences.

He and First Lady Jill Biden were greeted as they arrived by the British ambassador, Dame Karen Pierce.

"We mourn for all of you. She was a great lady, I'm so delighted I got to meet her," Biden told the ambassador after signing the book.

"Our hearts are with you," the US first lady said.

The president thanked the staff and added: "As my mother would say, God love you."

The BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue, who was at the embassy, said the president spent a few minutes with embassy staff before he left, drawing several bursts of laughter from the crowd.

He told them of the time that he visited the Queen and she made him crumpets.

On American politics, he said in jest, that she had not so much as grilled him as directed him.

People in the historic town of Windsor, home to the Queen's main residence Windsor Castle, have been talking about what the Queen meant to them.