London tributes: Capital mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II aged 96

Londoners have gathered in their thousands to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II as the capital’s landmarks dimmed their lights and black cab drivers formed a convoy in impromptu marks of respect to the monarch.

On Thursday evening, after the news of the Queen’s death was announced at 6.30pm, people hugged and kissed in the rain under a huge projection of the smiling monarch in Piccadilly Circus.

Gun salutes took place in Hyde Park and the Tower of London and a memorial, to be attended by new Prime Minister Liz Truss, will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday night.

Queen Elizabeth II death
Members of the Honourable Artillery Company fire a Gun Salute at the Tower of London
PA

The first of 96 rounds reverberated across the royal park as a blank was fired in the direction of Buckingham Palace.

Bells will be rung at Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle. Churches have been urged to toll their bells in England at midday.

Tributes left outside gates to Buckingham Palace
PA

Iconic landmarks like the BT Tower all beamed messages and pictures mourning the loss of Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II Dies At Balmoral Castle
An image of Queen Elizabeth II is displayed on The BT Tower after her death is announced
Getty Images

Bulletins announcing the tragic death of the Queen suddenly appeared on advertising hoardings on the side of London roads and bus stops.

AP

Wellwishers broke out in an impromptu mass sing-a-long of the new national anthem honouring King Charles III as they gathered to pay their respects outside Buckingham Palace.

Black cab drivers lined The Mall last night in a fitting tribute to their “London girl”

Michael Ackerman, a cab driver for 26 years, said they had come to the Palace to “show our respect” for the monarch.

Paul Brand spotted the black cabs parked along the Mall
Paul Brand - Twitter @PaulBrandITV

“We now know the Queen’s passed, the only woman we’ve ever known, our constant in both our lives and we’re showing our respect.

“There would have been a lot more cab drivers here but they’ve closed the road, so no more can get here.”

Mr Ackerman said: “We’re both from London. Liz is a London girl ... she’s one of your own, she’s one of ours.”

Cab drivers performed a similar ovation when Prince Philip died in 2021.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth has died at age 96
A woman places flowers at Buckingham Palace, following the passing of Britain's Queen Elizabeth
REUTERS

Thousands are also flocking to the gates of Buckingham Palace to pay tribute.

A large Union flag in tones of black and grey has been pinned to the right flank of the gates and thousands of bouquets of flowers are beginning to pile up.

Queen Elizabeth II Dies At Balmoral Castle
Crowds gather on the Victoria Memorial
Getty Images

The black clouds broke and a rainbow appeared over Buckingham Palace and The London Eye moments after the announcement of her passing.

Statement from the Buckingham Palace over concerns for Britain's Queen Elizabeth's health, in London
REUTERS

The London Eye said it would be dimming its lights from sunset in honour of the Queen with the Eiffel Tower in Paris following suit.

The London Eye with its lights off (Yui Mok/PA)
PA Archive

Theatres across the UK and other landmarks are set to switch off their lights as a mark of respect.

A statement from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre said they were “deeply saddened” by news of the Queen’s death.

While other sights around the world dimmed their lights, New York’s Empire State Building glowed in regal purple.

The British flag flies half mast on the roof of Buckingham Palace in London
REUTERS

Organisers of the weekend’s sporting events are to be left to decide whether to postpone their schedules in the wake of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

Rail and postal worker strikes due to take place next week have been suspended as a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth II.

On Friday, King Charles and Queen Camilla will return to London after spending the night at Balmoral.

He will hold his first audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss and is expected to make a statement in the evening.

Charles automatically succeeded his mother as the nation’s monarch upon her passing, but he will not be formally proclaimed King until an Accession Council is held at St James’s Palace on Saturday.

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