King Charles' speech, funeral details and meetings - what is expected to happen today following death of the Queen

Britain's longest-reigning monarch died yesterday at the age of 96.

It was announced by Buckingham Palace that Queen Elizabeth II died "peacefully at Balmoral". In a statement, the Palace said: "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.”

It means that His Majesty King Charles III is the new monarch and head of state for the UK and the Commonwealth nations. Over the coming days, he will likely be closely involved in planning the Queen's funeral alongside other mourning events.

Read more: The Queen died with Charles and Anne at her bedside as other senior royals rushed to Balmoral in vain

Here is a breakdown of what will happen all across the country following the first day of the UK's mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla spent a night at Balmoral on Thursday, but will be returning to London today.

At 12pm church bells are expected to ring across the country in memory of the Queen.

At 12pm tributes to the Queen will be paid by MPs in the House of Commons. The tributes will be led by Prime Minister Liz Truss and Speaker of the House Lindsay Hoyle.

Despite his grief, duty calls for new sovereign Charles and his first audience as monarch with Prime Minister Liz Truss is expected to happen as soon as practically possible.

Charles will meet the Earl Marshal – the Duke of Norfolk – who is in charge of the accession and the Queen’s funeral, to approve the carefully choreographed schedule for the coming days.

The arrangements – codenamed London Bridge – have long been planned in consultation with the Government.

They will incorporate Operation Unicorn, the contingency plans