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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Connie Rusk & Paul T Smith

ITV GMB's Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard dressed in black for emotional tribute to Queen

Good Morning Britain 's Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd were dressed in black on Friday morning as they paid an emotional tribute to the Queen, in a special programme.

Her Majesty died on Thursday at Balmoral, at the of 96.

The studio's usual back drop was replaced by a picture of the monarch in her honour - while Susanna and Ben hosted from the set, Kate Garraway stood outside Buckingham Palace with mourners still gathering to lay flowers at the gates to pay their respects to the longest reigning Sovereign.

Paying tribute, Ben said: "It's a remarkable life she lived."

Susanna added: "She had sparkling eyes, even at the beginning of the week. We knew this moment was coming and yet it is a shock.

"She had the longest reign of any monarch. She was the constant presence in all of our lives.

GMB was dedicated to the Queen on Friday morning. (ITV / Good Morning Britain)

"She was dignified, dutiful, devoted to her family and to the Commonwealth. She gave a life of service.

"I reflected yesterday, we knew she couldn't be immortal and yet we hoped she would be. It is quite a moment."

Meanwhile, from outside the studio, Kate echoed Susanna's thoughts on how the nation are shocked we "won't see her again. "

She said: "The atmosphere here has been one of we all knew this would happen but didn't want it to. Flowers are being laid.

"I'm lucky enough I pass these gates every day on the way to work. There's always tourists here and there is always a secret feeling: 'I wonder if we will see the Queen'.

"People are already responding saying I can't believe we won't see her again."

Kate Garraway paid tribute outside Buckingham Palace (ITV / Good Morning Britain)

Weather presenter Laura Tobin shared moving photos on the show of a rainbow breaking out over the royal residence.

The nation came to a halt to mourn its former monarch, with the Mercury Prize for leading musicians postponed and play at the PGA Championship golf event at Wentworth suspended, amid wall-to-wall coverage on TV channels.

Buckingham Palace made the official announcement at 6.30pm on Thursday with a brief statement saying: “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.”

Good Morning Britain will be followed by an extended ITV News special to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 70 years of reign.

This Morning, Loose Women and soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been pulled from the schedule as the nation enters an official period of mourning.

At 8.30pm, there will be a special tribute to Her Majesty called Queen Elizabeth II - The Longest Reign.

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