A double rainbow appeared over Buckingham Palace an hour before the Queen’s death was announced. Crowds had gathered outside Buckingham Palace after officials warned just after noon that she was 'under medical supervision'.
After a heavy downpour eventually stopped, the double rainbow appeared - giving comfort to those in the crowd who were eagerly awaiting an update. At 6.30pm, the Palace announced that the Queen 'died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon’.
As members of the public gathered outside to pay their respects to the Queen, the double rainbow appeared overhead. People outside the Palace gates in central London turned round to take pictures of the rainbow after the storm.
Read the latest on the Queen's death here
The rainbow could be seen over major landmarks across the capital including Elizabeth Tower in Westminster and the Queen Victoria Memorial.
As it appeared, royal fan Ellen Matthews, 69, said: “She’s gone - the Queen has died that’s a sign of transformation.”
Buckingham Palace announced the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday, an hour later.
Peter Barnes, 31, a campaign director who works in central London, said: "The mood is very sombre here at Buckingham Palace.
"Many people in the crowd commented on the rainbow with many taking photos.”
A woman laid the first bouquet at the Queen’s central London residence just after 5pm and the crowd outside Buckingham Palace has since grown to around 1,000 people.
A helicopter could be heard circling overhead as people waited quietly for any news on the well-being of the Queen.
Mr Barnes said: "The crowd is only getting bigger so I imagine it won’t be long until people begin laying flowers.
"The Queen means so much to so many people not just here in the UK but around the globe.
"The world has lost a bastion of stability and dignity putting country and duty above all else.”
Buckingham Palace said: "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 royal family’s official website now carries the message: "Queen Elizabeth II 1926 – 2022” along with the official statement issued by Buckingham Palace.
You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here
