King Charles III pays tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, following her passing

Just hours after the passing of Britain's beloved Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96, King Charles III paid tribute to his mother.

Releasing a statement from Buckingham Palace, His Majesty wrote: "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."

He continued: "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 in our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."

The King and other prominent members of the royal family, including Prince William, had rushed to Balmoral to be by the Queen’s bedside. 

King Charles will head back to London tomorrow with his Queen consort Camilla.

Despite the fact that King Charles' coronation won't happen for months, he became King the very moment Queen Elizabeth passed away, with his siblings "kissing his hands" to cement the moment.

At 73, he is the oldest person to accede to the throne in British history.