Queen death – latest: Boris Johnson and Liz Truss pay tribute as Britain mourns devoted monarch

Commonwealth member Jamaica will observe 12 days of mourning after the death of the Queen, up to and including Monday 19 September.

The Jamaican national flag will be flown at half mast on all public buildings in the country throughout this period.

Jamaica’s prime minister, Andrew Holness, issued a lengthy statement remembering the Queen as “a close friend of Jamaica” and how she visited the country on royal tours every decade up until the 2000s.

“As we reflect on the life and service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we can all agree that she was a portrait of dignity in how she conducted the affairs of State and remains an exemplar in leadership,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Her grace, elegance and humility will be remembered throughout ages.”

The new King will be formally proclaimed monarch at a historic Accession Council on Saturday.

Charles has automatically become King on the death of his mother, but an Accession Council is usually convened at St James’s Palace in London within 24 hours of the death of a sovereign.

It will be later following the death of the Queen because the announcement of her death did not come until early evening on Thursday, meaning there was not enough time to set the plans in motion for Friday morning.

Historically, the entire Privy Council is summoned to the Accession Council to oversee the formal proclamation of a new monarch.

But with the number of privy counsellors – who are lifetime members and mostly past and present politicians – now standing at more than 700, restrictions have been put in place.

Just 200 will be summoned, and those cut will be asked to enter an annual ballot for a few remaining seats, with the decision prompting a row over the lack of consultation and the loss of the key duty, the Telegraph previously reported.

Sarah Ferguson has paid tribute to the Queen, saying she is “heartbroken” at the loss of the “most incredible mother-in-law and friend”.

The Duchess of York, who was married to the monarch’s son Andrew, said the Queen had “given her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth” and left behind “an extraordinary legacy”.

Aisha Rimi has the full story:

Mourners have braved downpours to gather outside Buckingham Palace through the night and pay their respects to the Queen.

Colin Drury has been speaking to some of them, and reports that many are in shock at the loss of the passing of a life-long constant:

Sir Mick Jagger shared on Instagram: “For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there.

“In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much-beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the royal family.”

Sir Paul McCartney also paid tribute to the Queen with a short but sweet message on his Instagram account.

He wrote: “God bless Queen Elizabeth II. May she rest in peace. Long live The King.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber shared a statement on Twitter, saying: “For the whole of my life, the Queen has been the constant anchor of not just Britain and her beloved Commonwealth, but an inspiration to the world for her lifetime of service.

“Her legacy will be remembered as a selfless beacon for love, understanding and the celebration of fellow human beings all over the world, no matter their race or creed.”

Simon Cowell shared a tribute on Instagram, saying: “I’m incredibly sad to hear of the passing of the Queen.

“With incredible strength she was someone who loved her country and was able to lead with so much love.

“I feel very lucky that in my lifetime we have had a Monarch who managed to balance great leadership, tradition and progression. I would like to send my respects to her family during this time.”

Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Edinburgh and Westminster as part of 10 days of national mourning beginning on Friday.

Union flags will be lowered and flown at half-mast on royal residences, government buildings and military establishments and books of condolence opened at British embassies across the world.

King Charles III and wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, will return to London, having spent Thursday night with immediate family at Balmoral, where the Queen died.

They came in their thousands, in the rain and the dark. United by grief, they stood, sobbed and sang.

Mourners braved downpours to gather outside Buckingham Palace through the night and pay their respects to the Queen after she died at Balmoral on Thursday.

They clutched umbrellas and flowers, candles and each other’s hands. They spoke in hushed tones. They did not hide their tears or their shock.

Colin Drury has the full story:

Joe Biden has signed a condolence book for Queen Elizabeth at the UK embassy in Washington DC as he called the late monarch “a great lady.”

The president and first lady were greeted at the embassy by British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce and her husband shortly before 6pm ET, according to a pool report.

Mr Biden asked the ambassador if he could write in the condolence book, and she told him, “if you would like to Sir.”

Graeme Massie has the full story:

Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig and Sir Elton John have led tributes to the Queen and her “incomparable legacy” following her death.

Dame Helen, who portrayed the Queen on the silver screen and on the stage, described the monarch as the “epitome of nobility”.

In a post on Instagram, she said: “I am proud to be an Elizabethan. We mourn a woman, who, with or without the crown, was the epitome of nobility.”

James Bond star Craig said the Queen leaves “an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed”.

He said: “I, like so many, was deeply saddened by the news today and my thoughts are with the royal family, those she loved and all those who loved her.”

Sir Elton said the Queen had been a huge part of his life “from childhood to this day” in his own online tribute.

“Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing,” Sir Elton wrote.

“She was an inspiring presence to be around, and led the country through some of our greatest, and darkest, moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth.

“Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.”