King Charles prepares to lead Britain's mourning

He flies back from Balmoral after rushing to be with Queen for final hours

- Robert Jobson and Nicholas Cecil

KING CHARLES III was today leading Britain on its first day of official mourning over the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The new monarch was due to address the saddened nation this evening after returning to London with his Queen Consort, Camilla.

The 73-year-old King was expected to talk of the late Queen’s lasting legacy after her unprecedented 70-year reign. He was also due to pledge his duty to his service as the new Sovereign.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away “peacefully” yesterday afternoon at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Reflecting the views of many people, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby told BBC Breakfast this morning: “The Queen constantly showed us the meaning of life — she was joyful, she was humorous, her life was full. But she never, even in bad moments, lost hope.”

King Charles and other members of the royal family had rushed to be by her side in her final hours. Buckingham Palace said this morning that a period of royal mourning will be observed from today until seven days after the Queen’s funeral, the date of which will be confirmed in due course.

The bells at Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s, St George’s Chapel in Windsor and churches across the country were expected to ring out at midday in commemoration. Shortly afterwards, Prime Minister Liz Truss and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle were due to lead MPs in a special sitting of Parliament to pay tribute to her.