Bells have tolled and flags have been lowered to half-mast all over the country — except the Royal Standard, which is never flown at half-mast. A note was pinned to the gates of Buckingham Palace detailing the news. There will be a national minute's silence, gun salutes organised by the Ministry of Defence, and an impromptu remembrance service held at St Paul's Cathedral in London for senior politicians.
For at least 12 days, life in the UK will come screeching to a halt, with stock markets and banks likely to close. The BBC is even planning to cancel all comedy shows until after the funeral, which is expected to take place 10 days following her passing. Royal biographer Penny Junor previously said the Queen's death would be a "traumatic" event for Britain, calling the Queen the only "constant" in a world that changed so much throughout her reign.
Image Source: Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty