Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died this afternoon at Balmoral, the royal family confirmed. The gravity of the news has been felt across the world, with leaders offering words of sympathy – and reflecting on a reign that spanned 70 years.

The first of the tributes came from her son Charles – the new King. He wrote, in a statement released by Buckingham Palace:

‘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.’

Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was installed in her position by the Queen on Tuesday, spoke outside Downing Street this afternoon. She said:

‘We are all devastated by the news we have just heard from Balmoral. The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a huge shock to the nation and to the world. 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. She ascended the throne just after the Second World War. Through thick and thin, Queen Elizabeth II provided us with the stability and the strength that we needed. She was the very spirit of Great Britain – and that spirit will endure. She has been our longest-ever reigning monarch. It is an extraordinary achievement to have presided with such dignity and grace for 70 years.’

Read her tribute in full here.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter:

‘This is our country’s saddest day. In the hearts of every one of us there is an ache at the passing of our Queen, a deep and personal sense of loss – far more intense, perhaps, than we expected. In these first grim moments since the news, I know that millions and millions of people have been pausing whatever they have been doing, to think about Queen Elizabeth, about the bright and shining light that has finally gone out.

‘She seemed so timeless and so wonderful that I am afraid we had come to believe, like children, that she would just go on and on. Wave after wave of grief is rolling across the world from Balmoral – where our thoughts are with all the royal family – and breaking far beyond this country and throughout that great Commonwealth of nations that she so cherished and which cherished her in return.’

He ended his tribute with a simple statement: ‘Though our voices may still be choked with sadness we can say with confidence the words not heard in this country for more than seven decades. God Save The King.’

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Charles at Balmoral, 1952 (Getty Images)

Labour Leader Keir Starmer wrote:

‘Today, we mourn the passive of a remarkable sovereign. It is a deep, private loss for the royal family and all our thoughts are with them at this time. The nation shares in their grief. 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.’

Joe Biden released a lengthy joint statement with his wife Jill in which he called the Queen ‘more than a monarch,’ adding: ‘She defined an era.’ He also wrote:

‘Today, the thoughts and prayers of people all across the United States are with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in their grief. We send our deepest condolences to the royal family, who are not only mourning the Queen, but their dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world.’

Queen Elizabeth II and Justin Trudeau, 7 March 2022 (Getty Images)

Canada’s Justin Trudeau said:

‘It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history. As we look back at her life and her reign that spanned so many decades, Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion, and warmth. Our thoughts are with the members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time.’

World leaders added their voices to the mourners across the pond. France’s Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter: ‘I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky added: ‘It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, we extend sincere condolences to the royal family, the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.’