As dawn breaks over the UK, people are continuing to leave flowers and tributes outside the Queen's residences - including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

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Image source, Reuters

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Sporting fixtures scheduled on Friday have mostly been cancelled, including football matches in the English Football League and Northern Ireland Football League - a decision is yet to be made over the weekend's Premier League and Football League matches.

Horse racing was halted, while Friday's play in the Test match between England and South Africa was called off.

In golf there will be no play at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday while stage six of the Tour of Britain cycling race, set to take place on Friday, will not go ahead.

Theatre performances across the UK are expected to continue, observing a minute's silence. The award ceremony of the Mercury Music Prize was cancelled on Thursday evening after some nominees had already arrived for the show.

And the world-renowned classical music festival BBC Proms cancelled its events on Friday 9 September and its Last Night of the Proms on Saturday 10 September, as a mark of respect for the Queen.

Mourners around the world have been paying tribute to the Queen by laying flowers and leaving messages at embassies and cathedrals.

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Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

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Political leaders from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have been paying tribute to the Queen's influence on the peace process and Anglo-Irish relations.

In 2012, the Queen famously shook the hand of Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, the then Northern Ireland deputy first minister and former IRA commander - a move that was seen as a historic moment for peace and reconciliation.

Michelle O'Neill, vice-president of Sinn Féin, said she was "grateful for Queen Elizabeth's significant contribution and determined efforts to advancing peace and reconciliation between our two islands".

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said "This is just the saddest news."

He said the Queen had played "a very important role in helping to build reconciliation" and also noted her visit to Dublin in 2011 as a "cathartic moment in the history of British-Irish relations".

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The state visit was the first made by a British monarch to Ireland since it gained its independence from Britain.

Irish President Michael D Higgins recalled how "the Queen often spoke of how much she enjoyed" the visit.

"During those memorable few days eleven years ago, the Queen did not shy away from the shadows of the past.

"She set out a new, forward-looking relationship between our nations – one of respect, close partnership and sincere friendship."

Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said the Queen's passing was the "end of an era".

"Her state visit to Ireland in 2011 marked a crucial step in the normalisation of relations with our nearest neighbour."

The prime minister of Papua New Guinea - which along with a handful of other countries still recognises the Monarch as head of state - paid tribute to the Queen as the "anchor" of the Commonwealth.

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Hearts are heavy in Fiji too, leader Frank Bainimarama says.

Young and old gathered outside Buckingham Palace after the Queen's death on Thursday.

"You can sense that it's a historical moment," one of the mourners said.

Another mourner said the Queen was a sign of continuity and "she represented all four parts of our United Kingdom".

"To see her go feels like the end of an era, and a lot of uncertainty. But keep calm and carry on, I guess", he added.

Many around the world are mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who was the UK's longest-serving monarch.

If you're just joining us, here are some of the key moments.

• News of her death emerged at around 18:30 BST on Thursday when Buckingham Palace announced that the monarch had died peacefully at her Scottish estate, Balmoral Castle
• Her son - now King Charles III - said the death of his beloved mother was a "moment of great sadness" for him and his family and her loss would be "deeply felt" around the world
• The King and his wife, Camilla, now Queen Consort, will return to London from Balmoral Castle on Friday, the palace said. He is expected to address the nation on Friday
• It is expected that Charles will be officially proclaimed King on Saturday. This will happen at St James's Palace in London, in front of a ceremonial body known as the Accession Council
• World leaders and dignitaries have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her deep sense of duty and her resilience, as well as the Queen's sense of humour and kindness

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered his sympathies following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

"Xi Jinping, representing the Chinese government and the Chinese people, as well as in his own name, expresses deep condolences," a statement says.

"Her passing is a great loss to the British people."

The statement stresses that Xi "attaches great importance to the development of China-UK relations".

It adds he is "willing to work" with King Charles III to "promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples".

Meanwhile, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he was "pained" by the Queen's death.

The Queen "provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people", Modi says in a tweet, adding she "personified dignity and decency in public life".

In Pakistan, President Arif Alvi praised the Queen as a "great and beneficent ruler".

She "would be remembered in golden words in the annals of world history", he says.

Steven McIntosh
Entertainment Reporter in Toronto

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Sir Elton John paid tribute to the Queen during a concert in Toronto on Thursday.

The singer is a friend of the Royal Family and last year was appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour, where membership is limited to 65 people.

During his concert at the Rogers Centre, he told the crowd: "Today we’ve had the saddest news, about the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.

"She was an inspiring presence to be around. I’ve been around her and she was fantastic. And she led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth."

The 50,000-strong audience applauded as an image of the Queen was displayed on the venue’s big screen while Sir Elton spoke.

“I’m 75, she’s been with me all my life, and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore,” the singer reflected. "But I’m glad she’s at peace, I’m glad she’s at rest, and she deserved it, she’s worked bloody hard. I send my love to her family, her loved ones and she will be missed, but her spirit lives on, and we celebrate her life tonight with music."

After paying tribute, Sir Elton concluded with a touching rendition of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

Andre Rhoden-Paul
Reporting from Buckingham Palace

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As the union jack at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast, the crowds outside stood still in shock.

The silence was broken only by a symphony of news alerts on people's phones, and the messages that followed.

The mood had shifted: it was inquisitive, then suddenly sombre. It was now official. The Queen had died.

People had gathered throughout the afternoon after hearing she was ill. The gravity of the moment was all over 77-year-old Sheila De Bellaigue's teary face.

"I didn't realise until I saw the flag lower," she said, "and then I knew. I'm feeling very sad, as is everybody who is here."

The Londoner remembers getting her coronation mug as a schoolgirl. "She's been a wonderful queen, and she'll be very much missed."

More here

The giants of global business have been adding their voices to the chorus of tributes.

Billionaire Sir Richard Branson said the Queen had redefined leadership - living a "life of service, standing for the best of British values, providing grace and consistency in an ever-changing world".

Apple CEO Tim Cook said there was "nothing more noble than to devote your life to the service of others".

Meanwhile Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, said he could "think of no one who better personified duty".

Microsoft founder Bill Gates said he was honoured to have met the Queen.

As we've reported, US President Joe Biden led the international tributes from across the pond, saying she helped make the US and UK's relationship "special".

Other former presidents have also issued statements, including Barack Obama (in office 2009-2017) who said he and his wife Michelle were "struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humour and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance."

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George W. Bush said the Queen "ably led England through dark moments" and that "having tea with Her Majesty – and her corgis – is among our fondest memories of the presidency".

Meanwhile Donald Trump (2016-2020) highlighted the Queen's endurance: "She did it so long, so well and never made mistakes. She was an incredible person it’s a very sad day."

Bill Clinton (1993-2001) wrote that he and Hilary joined those around the world in mourning. "In sunshine or storm, she was a source of stability, serenity and strength. We will always be grateful for the kindness she showed us through the years."

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While a carefully-planned timetable of official events will unfold separately, the Queen's death will have an impact on daily life in the UK.

The funeral is expected to be held at Westminster Abbey in about 10 or 11 days' time, with the date to be confirmed by Buckingham Palace. It is likely to be declared a bank holiday, but this will be confirmed by the palace and government.

If a bank holiday is declared, schools will be closed.

It is not yet clear if they will close at all before then. The Department for Education and devolved administrations are expected to issue advice.

Read more here.

Australian figures have remembered the Queen as a remarkable monarch, but also a kind and funny person.

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Pop star Kylie Minogue remembered her meetings with the Queen fondly.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said she had a "great sense of fun" alongside her great sense of duty, saying she was seen as a beloved "nana figure" for Australia.

His successor Tony Abbott praised the Queen as "an exemplar of duty, honour and faithfulness", while another former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said she had “inspired the whole world" with her "calm and gracious presence”.

The official website of the Royal Family has been updated following the death of the Queen, with King Charles III now listed as His Majesty The King.

A book of condolences has been opened for people to sign online.

Mourners can visit the royal.uk website, external to leave their messages. The website says a selection of the notes will be passed on to the Royal Family.

Royal.uk, which lists the latest information on UK royalty, also now lists Camilla officially as Queen Consort.

Late into the night, mourners gathered at Windsor Castle to pay their respects to the Queen.

One woman said that while she is in her fifties, the Queen is "the only monarch I'd ever known".

"That's the case for millions and millions of people," she added.

Suranjana Tewari
BBC Asia News Correspondent

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I made the short journey to an island called Bau on a recent reporting trip – it’s just 10 minutes from Fiji’s mainland, Viti Levu. The Queen and Prince Philip made the same journey in 1982 on a launch.

They had travelled to Fiji’s capital Suva aboard the Royal Britannia, the last stop of a South Pacific tour which started with the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Bau is tiny, but holds a deeply significant place in Fiji’s rich history. It was the seat of power throughout the country's more than 300 islands before it was ceded to the United Kingdom in 1879, in exchange for the Crown’s protection.

Up until today, the Commonwealth finds many of its most vocal advocates within the Pacific region. The islands take part in Commonwealth activities and Her Majesty remained the constitutional monarch of four Pacific Islands along with Australia and New Zealand until her death.

When Queen Elizabeth II arrived on the island in 1982, village chiefs greeted her in silence - a sign of respect in the local culture.

During her time on Bau, Her Majesty opened a meeting of the great council of chiefs - the traditional descendants of Fiji’s rulers.

Signs of her visit can still be seen today. Village chiefs told me that the buildings on the island were upgraded ahead of her visit and that one house was built especially for her. She used it to rest during her trip, they said.

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Nomia Iqbal
BBC News, Ottawa

In downtown Ottawa, Canada, a huge picture of the Queen lights up the side of the National Arts Centre.

It reads “a historic reign” in both French and English. And it really was. She was the first monarch to be given the title of Queen of Canada.

She was head of state in Canada for nearly half of the country’s existence - an extraordinary fact highlighted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he addressed the nation after Her Majesty’s passing.

He said “she was one of my favourite people in the world”. And she loved Canada too. She had 23 tours here during her decades long reign, 22 as Queen and one as princess.

There’s going to be a 10-day period of mourning. Flags are flying at half-mast until sunset on the day of her funeral.

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John Major (1990-1997) said he remembered the private meetings he had with the Queen as PM, which were often not just serious affairs, as people might expect, but included humour and gossip.

People would also be surprised at the depth of information that the Queen had about lives of people in every part of the UK – she was extraordinarily well briefed, he said.

"We have lost not just our monarch but the matriarch of our nation," said former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who served from 1997 to 2007.

He said the Queen "brought our country together", adding that she has been "part of my life for all of my life".

Meanwhile, Gordon Brown - who was PM from 2007 to 2010 - said on Twitter:

And ex-Prime Minister David Cameron (2010-2016) added:

In Paris, the lights of the Eiffel Tower were turned off at midnight to mark Queen Elizabeth II's death.

Shortly after news emerged of the monarch's death, French President Emmanuel Macron remembered her as "kind-hearted" and "a friend of France... who marked her country and her century as never before".