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It was a seamless transition. Buckingham Palace simultaneously announced Queen Elizabeth's death and the passing of the throne to the new King in just two sentences.
Key points:
- King Charles III has issued his first statement as monarch after his mother's death
- He will travel to London tomorrow with the Queen Consort
- The Accession Council is due to meet at St James's Palace as soon as possible to proclaim him King
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," the palace said in a statement.
"The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
Half an hour later, King Charles III made his first statement as monarch.
"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 statement from King Charles read.
"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother."
He said his family would be comforted by the those around the world who adore his mother.
"I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world," he said.
"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."
King Charles, who is the oldest to assume the British throne, is yet to appear in public.
Like the statement from Buckingham Palace states, he will travel to London tomorrow.
The Accession Council will meet at St James's Palace in London as soon as possible to proclaim him King.
Charles will take the oath that unites the churches of England and Scotland, known as the accession declaration.
The proclamation of the new sovereign will then be read out from a balcony in St James's Palace, as well as at key locations across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Both houses of Britain's parliament will be recalled so its members can take an oath of allegiance to the new King.
Leaders of the Commonwealth, including Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, will travel to the United Kingdom will speak in honour of the Queen and likely welcome Charles as King.
No other members of the royal family have issued statements on the Queen's death.
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