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KING Charles received a kiss on the cheek as he was greeted by a rapturous crowd at Buckingham Palace today.

There were cheers of "God save the King" as the royal set foot at the Palace for the first time as a monarch following the Queen's death.

King Charles received a kiss on the cheek as he arrived at Buckingham Palace
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King Charles received a kiss on the cheek as he arrived at Buckingham PalaceCredit: Chris Dorney
Another well-wisher kissed the monarch's hand
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Another well-wisher kissed the monarch's handCredit: PA
It is the first time he has been at the Palace as Monarch
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It is the first time he has been at the Palace as MonarchCredit: AP
There were cheers as the royal couple stepped out of the car
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There were cheers as the royal couple stepped out of the carCredit: AFP
He looked at the flowers for his late mother with Queen Camilla
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He looked at the flowers for his late mother with Queen CamillaCredit: PA

King Charles III shook hands with well-wishers as he begun his first day as the nation's monarch after a 70-year wait for the throne.

But one over-eager supporter gave the monarch a kiss on the cheek in a breach of protocol.


It comes as… 


In a more sobering moment, King Charles and Queen Camilla then went to view the sea of flowers left for his beloved mother.

Both wearing black, they later entered through the Palace archway for the first time as King and Queen Consort.

Read more on the Queen's death

It came as they were earlier pictured looking emotional as they left Balmoral for London this morning.

Prince Harry had earlier left the Scottish castle alone in the back of a Range Rover.

King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in at RAF Northolt, West London, this afternoon, where they were picked up by car.

He waved to the crowd that had gathered outside as he stepped foot on English soil for the first time as King.

King Charles is set to make his first address to the nation later today in a televised recording.

He is expected to pay tribute to Britain's longest reigning monarch and pledge his duty to a life of service in a televised speech.

The nation has now entered a period of mourning that will be observed from today until seven days after the Queen's funeral.

A series of 96-round gun salutes commemorating each year of the Queen's incredible life sounded across the UK at 1pm..

Parliament has been hearing from MPs and peers today in a special session of condolence.

King Charles also held his first audience with the Prime Minister Liz Truss at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.

The PM and senior ministers will attend a public service of remembrance at St Paul's at 6pm tonight.

The royal had a moment of reflection as he took in the floral tributes
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The royal had a moment of reflection as he took in the floral tributesCredit: AFP
He placed a hand on Camilla's back as they looked at the sea of flowers
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He placed a hand on Camilla's back as they looked at the sea of flowers
The royal couple enter Buckingham Palace as King and Queen Consort
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The royal couple enter Buckingham Palace as King and Queen ConsortCredit: Reuters
King Charles earlier appeared emotional when he saw the gathered crowds
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King Charles earlier appeared emotional when he saw the gathered crowdsCredit: Darren Fletcher
Royal fans sung 'God Save the King' as he arrived
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Royal fans sung 'God Save the King' as he arrivedCredit: Getty

Charles automatically became King after Her Majesty's passing but the new role will be made official on Saturday.

This will take place at St James's Palace in London with a public proclamation of the new sovereign read from the Friary Court balcony.

The pomp and ceremony comes after King Charles led the royals in paying tribute to his beloved mum in a touching statement.

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."

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Buckingham Palace announced at midday yesterday that Her Majesty was under supervision at the Scottish estate amid "concerns" for her health.

The devastating statement sparked a flurry of activity from the royals as they rushed to join the Queen's side.

King Charles was already in Scotland on previously planned engagements along with his sister Princess Anne.

His helicopter was seen landing on the grounds of Balmoral in the morning.

Camilla also travelled to the castle after cancelling an event at hospital Maggie's in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

Soon after, it was confirmed Prince William made his way there together with Andrew, Edward and Sophie Wessex.

Their plane, a Dassault Falcon, was spotted landing in Aberdeen shortly before 4pm.

The Duke of Cambridge was seen driving Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie into Balmoral.

The Duchess of Cambridge stayed down south with GeorgeCharlotte and Louis for their first day at school.

Prince Harry was later pictured looking sombre as he made his way from Aberdeen Airport to the Queen's Scottish bolthole by car.

The Palace confirmed the Queen had passed away with a 26-word statement released at 6.30pm.

It read: "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.";

The king left Balmoral this morning looking sombre
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The king left Balmoral this morning looking sombreCredit: Wattie Cheung
The Queen Consort also appeared tearful during the journey back
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The Queen Consort also appeared tearful during the journey backCredit: Reuters
The royal couple were driven from the Scottish estate
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The royal couple were driven from the Scottish estateCredit: Getty
The Queen Consort looked heartbroken as she left Balmoral
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The Queen Consort looked heartbroken as she left BalmoralCredit: Rex
King Charles shook hands with staff at Aberdeen Airport
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King Charles shook hands with staff at Aberdeen Airport
His plane took off for London at around 12.30pm
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His plane took off for London at around 12.30pm
Charles was later pictured arriving at RAF Northolt
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Charles was later pictured arriving at RAF NortholtCredit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun
Charles has now become King following the death of his mother
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Charles has now become King following the death of his mother
Prince Harry left Balmoral at around 8.15am
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Prince Harry left Balmoral at around 8.15amCredit: Ross Johnston/Newsline media
He boarded a plane at Aberdeen
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He boarded a plane at Aberdeen
Harry was later pictured arriving back at Windsor
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Harry was later pictured arriving back at WindsorCredit: James Whatling
Mourners leave tributes at Buckingham Palace
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Mourners leave tributes at Buckingham PalaceCredit: Reuters

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