1News' Saturday updates as the world reacted to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
What you need to know
- Queen Elizabeth II has died after 70 years on the throne. She was 96.
- She died at Balmoral Castle, her summer residence in Scotland.
- Queen Elizabeth's strong connection with New Zealand lasted throughout her reign.
- King Charles III, formerly the Prince of Wales, is the new monarch and has made his first speech.
10pm: King Charles III was officially announced as Britain’s monarch Saturday, in a pomp-filled ceremony steeped in ancient tradition and political symbolism - and, for the first time, broadcast live.
The ceremony ended with David White, The Garter King of Arms, proclaiming King Charles III the monarch from a balcony at the palace - a relic of centuries past
9pm: A ceremony has begun to officially proclaim King Charles III as British monarch.
A council of senior politicians and officials has gathered at St. James’s Palace in London for Saturday's accession ceremony.
8.33pm: Jacinda Ardern calls UK Prime Minister Liz Truss this evening (NZT), to share the nation's condolences.
“The Prime Minister spoke to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this morning, following the death of Her Majesty The Queen," a Downing Street spokeswoman said.
“The leaders spoke about the fondness felt for Her Majesty The Queen, both in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and shared their condolences.
“The Prime Minister also expressed her sincere condolences for New Zealand after the capsize of a boat off the coast of the South Island in recent hours.”
7.41pm: New Zealanders around the country have been showing their respect for the Queen, with many local councils making condolence books available in libraries and town halls.
Many councils are making condolence books available in libraries and town halls. (Source: 1News)
5.36pm: Jacinda Ardern has sent a condolence letter to King Charles III on behalf of the Government of New Zealand.
"I wish to express my sincere condolences on the death of Her Majesty The Queen, your mother," wrote Ardern.
"As Queen of New Zealand, Her Majesty was loved for her grace, calmness, dedication, and public service. Her affection for New Zealand and its people was clear, and it was an affection that was shared.
"Her Majesty was an important part of all our lives throughout her reign – but she was first and foremost a daughter, a sister, a mother, and a grandmother.
"You have our deepest sympathies for her loss but also our gratitude for her extraordinary life of service."
3.21pm: Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau signed a book of condolence for the late Queen Elizabeth II Friday in Ottawa.
Earlier Trudeau had said he was having trouble believing he'd had his last sit-down chat with Elizabeth.
She visited Canada 22 times as monarch.
2.27pm: Australian politicians and foreign diplomats laid wreaths to honour Queen Elizabeth II in Canberra on Saturday.
Governor General David Hurley, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton were joined by the diplomats and other leaders at the ceremony at the Queen's Terrace in the country's parliament.
1.56pm: 1News understands the official state memorial service may be held at the Cathedral of St Paul in Wellington.
A spokesperson for Government House says local authorities will decide whether memorial services will be held elsewhere.
1.50pm: Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro has sent a letter of condolence to King Charles III following the death of his mother.
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96
"New Zealand shares with all the people of Her Majesty's Realms grief at the loss of a cherished monarch and honoured leader," she wrote.
The Governor-General recalled "with fondness" the Queen's 10 visits to New Zealand across nearly five decades.
1.45pm: The Ministry of Culture and Heritage said the New Zealand flag will be flown at full mast from 8am to 5pm tomorrow for Proclamation Day.
This day recognises King Charles III's ascension to the throne.
READ MORE: King Charles III takes the throne, after a lifetime of preparation
"The New Zealand Flag is flown at full mast on days of national commemoration, that are of particular importance and significance to us as a nation," said the ministry.
This applies to all flags on all Government and public buildings.
The flag will be returned to half-mast from 5pm and will remain in that position until the Queen's state memorial service.
1.30pm: Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley has remembered a lunch with the Queen as "fun, with lots of cheek".
Shipley said the Christmastime lunch was an "intimate, family setting."
She recounted "wonderful memories" of the group joking about competing to catch the largest fish.
Shipley described lunch with the Queen and her companions as "fun, with lots of cheek". (Source: 1News)
12.55pm: Condolence books are being signed around the country to pay tribute to the Queen.
READ MORE: Key milestones in Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign
Many people are emotional and still coming to terms with yesterday's news.
A wreath has been left outside Auckland Town Hall.
12.20pm: The Royal Commonwealth Society says it is "deeply saddened" by the Queen's death.
Spokesperson Darryl Stevens said King Charles is "well-prepared" to continue his mother's legacy. (Source: 1News)
The Society's NZ branch spokesperson Darryl Stevens has met the Queen four times.
"I've always been very impressed by the Queen."
Stevens reflected on the "rewarding" conversations with the Queen, saying she was "very significant" to the Commonwealth.
She maintained "soft diplomacy" and "very good relationships" with prime ministers, Stevens said.
He says new monarch King Charles III is "well-prepared" to step into the Queen's shoes and continue her legacy.
11.00am: King Charles III used his first speech as monarch to express his love for Prince Harry and Meghan.
It's a potential olive branch following months of tension between the Sussexes and the royal family.
10.40am: Behind the scenes footage shows King Charles III overcome with emotion in the moments after his first speech following the death of his "dear Mama" Queen Elizabeth II.
A TikTok video, released by the Royal Family Channel, shows King Charles III's eyes wrought with sadness in the moments after filming as he asks the crew, 'Am I done?'
The video has received more than 75,000 views since it was published on Saturday morning.
8.51am: As grandchildren of King Charles III, Prince Harry and Meghan's children automatically receive royal titles, CNN reports.
Their titles are now His Royal Highness Prince Archie of Sussex and Her Royal Highness Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
It follows conventions set out by George V in 1917.
8.05am: The grief at Buckingham Palace, where many people rushed to pay tribute, was palpable. For some, it was reflective. For others, emotional. Above all, it seemed deeply personal, writes UK correspondent Mei Heron.
The moment on Thursday morning UK time when the royal doctors released a statement saying they were “concerned” about the Queen's health, there was alarm.
The media and the public both rarely get an update on Her Majesty’s well-being as the palace regards it as an intensely private matter. We knew all was not right.
READ MORE: Opinion: The death of Queen Elizabeth II - 24 hours on
7.50am: Prince William has succeeded Charles as the Prince of Wales.
It comes after Charles became King upon the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II yesterday.
In his first public address as King, Charles said he was "proud" to hand over the title.
"With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will continue to inspire and lead our national conversations," he said.
7.45am: With Queen Elizabeth II's death, the world has lost a woman of great mana, writes 1News' Joy Reid.
Queen Elizabeth II became the epitome of soft power and social glue and her loss is being felt deeply.
At 96, it really should not have come as a surprise that Her Majesty’s reign would end and another would begin.
But somehow it was still a shock. As the only monarch most of her subjects have ever known, the Queen had been a constant and reassuring symbol of continuity, dignity and calm in a rapidly changing world. That constant is no more.
7.00am: The Prince of Wales will be officially announced as the UK's new monarch on Saturday at 9pm (NZT).
Prince Charles automatically became King the moment following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
However there will be multi-stage process publicly announcing his new title of King Charles III.
5.15am: King Charles III has made his first address as monarch, which was recorded earlier. In it, he spoke of his “feelings of profound sorrow” at the death of his "beloved" mother.
“She is mourned most deeply in her passing," he said.
“She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress; through times of joy and celebration; and through times of sadness and loss.”
“The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign.”
The King also spoke of his promise to carry on Queen Elizabeth's work as monarch.
“Wherever you may live in the UK, or in the realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.”
He finished his address by addressing his mother directly.
"To my darling mama, as you begin your last, great journey to join my dear, late papa, I want simply to say this: thank-you…may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
4.30am: A service of prayer and reflection for the Queen is due to be held at St Paul's Cathedral in London at 5am NZT.
3.20am: Prince Charles has held his first meeting with the new British Prime Minister, Liz Truss.
2.00 am: Huge crowds of people continue to throng to the Royal residences of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to lay flowers and other tributes.
1.20am: King Charles has arrived at Buckingham Palace after leaving Balmoral, where the Queen died, late on Friday night NZT.
0.20am: Gun salutes have taken place around the UK, as well as in Jersey and Gibraltar.
0.15am: Liz Truss, who became UK Prime Minister earlier this week, is among MPs to have paid tribute to the Queen in the House of Commons.
0.01am: At midday on Friday UK time, bells tolled at Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and other churches around the UK in tribute to the Queen and to proclaim the new King.
READ MORE: As it happened - Queen Elizabeth II dies, Prince Charles becomes King
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