Thousands of people lined up to greet King Charles and offer condolences as he arrived at Buckingham Palace for the first time since the Queen's death.
The new King was joined by Queen Consort Camilla on a public walkabout on Friday afternoon and he shook hands with well-wishers of all ages who had gathered to both pay their respects for the loss of Her Majesty and welcome the new monarch.
One woman leaned over to kiss the King's right hand and another kissed him on the cheek. Shouts of God Save the King went up, along with three cheers for the new head of state, dressed in mourning black suit and tie, who smiled and waved at the mass of people.
Read More: King Charles to address the nation tonight as UK goes into mourning after death of Queen
He also walked along to see the floral tributes left at the Palace gate. Since Queen Elizabeth's death was announced, tributes have been pouring in from around the world.
The King has declared 17 days of mourning, though the date of the funeral is yet to be finalised, reports The Mirror. Kwok-kit Ngan, 37, a dentist from Bromley, said he felt “great sadness” when the Queen died but it was “heart-warming” to see hundreds of tributes at the Palace.
After laying a bouquet of sunflowers, Mr Ngan said: “She’s been leading the country for the last 70 years and I think she really has led by example through the good times and the bad times.” Asked how it felt to see so many people paying tribute at the Palace, he said: “It’s quite heart-warming. Not many events would draw people together. I think what happened yesterday has really got people to reflect and appreciate what she’s really done for us over the past 70 years."
Laura Huff, who moved to London three-and-a-half years ago from the US, was in tears as she paid her respects at Buckingham Palace. She said: “We always knew this day would come but it just seemed to happen quite quickly when it did. She was like a grandmother to the nation.
“As someone who wanted to move here my entire life, she was someone you always hear about and read about. I think she had a really strong sense of responsibility and you could really see that.”
On Thursday, silent crowds who gathered outside Buckingham Palace broke into a tearful rendition of the national anthem following the news of the Queen's death. Cab drivers in the capital also stopped on the Mall to pay their respects to the monarch.
Read Next:
MPs to swear allegiance to King Charles III during rare Saturday Parliament sitting
What to expect following the Queen’s death as UK enters national mourning
Cheryl pays beautiful tribute to The Queen with moving Prince Phillip message
King Charles III pays tribute to his 'beloved mother' after Queen's death at 96
