King Charles has tonight revealed his “great sadness” as he paid tribute to his mother The Queen after her death at 96.

Charles, who will now be known as Charles III, said: “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.”

In a sombre statement, Buckingham Palace confirmed Her Majesty Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, had passed away – making her son, Charles, King. Buckingham Palace announced in a statement tonight, “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

Charles is now King of England and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort. The UK was immediately plunged into a state of mourning, with plans for her funeral and a National Day of Remembrance to be announced in the coming days.

It comes as the Union Flag is being flown at half-mast at Buckingham Palace. And a notice of The Queen’s death has also been pinned to the palace gates.

Britain will now enter 12 days of mourning for the longest serving monarch. Prior to her death the monarch was said by Buckingham Palace to be “comfortable” at Balmoral, where she remained under medical supervision.

Clarence House confirmed King Charles and Camilla travelled to Balmoral this morning. And Prince William made his way there together with Andrew, Edward and Sophie Wessex this afternoon, as fears for the monarch’s health grew.

Their plane, a Dassault Falcon, was spotted landing in Aberdeen shortly before 4pm. The Duke of Cambridge was then seen driving the family members to Balmoral to be with Queen.

• The Sun report