A man from Wandsworth says he would be camping near the palace for the next 10 days "as a mark of respect" after Her Majesty’s death.

Queen Elizabeth II, 96, was the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, serving as head of state for more than 70 years.

Buckingham Palace announced that she died today, September 8.

A statement from the Palace reads: “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.”

Royal superfan John Loughrey, 67, from Wandsworth, south west London, wept outside Buckingham Palace as he said he “can’t believe” the news.

He paid tribute to the “inspirational” Queen whose “duty always came first”.

Mr Loughrey said: “I met the Queen twice - I gave flowers to her.

“I can’t believe it.

“She was inspirational.

“She served her duty – her duty always came first, her family next.

“She went downhill after the Duke of Edinburgh died - They were like two swans.

“God save the Queen.”

Mr Loughrey says that after camping near the palace for 10 days he will light a candle for Her Majesty at Westminster Abbey.

Queen Elizabeth was the first British monarch in history to reach her Platinum Jubilee, and has died just three months after the national celebrations in June celebrating her 70 years on the throne.

The Queen was also the longest-reigning still-serving monarch in the world.

She mourned the loss of her beloved husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 in April 2021.

A figure of stability in national life, the Queen was head of state, the armed forces, the Commonwealth and the Church of England.

The majority of the population has known no other monarch.

Britain will enter a period of national mourning, as tributes flood in from around the globe, hailing the Queen’s unwavering commitment to serving her country and the Commonwealth.

The long-held so-called London Bridge plans for the coming days and the Queen’s state funeral will now be put in place, as will the contingency element Operation Unicorn for a death in Scotland.

The Queen is expected to lie in state in a few days’ time, with her funeral held in Westminster Abbey in central London in around 10 days.