What time is King Charles' first speech to the nation today? When and how to watch

King Charles III will give his first speech to the nation today following the death of his beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth II. It was announced early on Thursday evening (September 8) that the Queen had died peacefully in the afternoon at Balmoral, her Scottish Highlands home.

It came hours after Buckingham Palace issued a statement, at 12.32pm, confirming the 96-year-old monarch was under medical supervision and that doctors were concerned for her health. The new King had dashed to be by the Queen's bedside.

Charles was joined by the monarch’s other children the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, with the Duke of Cambridge, now heir to the throne, and the Duke of Sussex also travelling there.

READ MORE: Death of Queen Elizabeth II - latest updates as period of mourning to begin

“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," a statement from Buckingham Palace began. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

The Queen’s son and successor King Charles III spoke of his grief soon after Buckingham Palace announced the death. He 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."

Charles will now turn his mind to matters of state as he begins his first full