U.K. braced For Death Of Queen Elizabeth II. It Still came As A Shock

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Author Breaking News Team

On Thursday evening, huge crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London to pay tribute to the only British monarch most people have ever known

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As the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death spread across the UK, people flocked to the royal residence to lay flowers and light candles

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This impulse was shared by many, as more and more people gathered in the afternoon at the Palace's famous gates, beneath the balcony from which the Queen has greeted the public many times during her lifetime

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At the end of the day, many more people joined the crowd at Buckingham Palace. Doctors, therapists, teachers and students all told CNN that they were rushing to be there as they anxiously awaited the next announcement

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Around 18.30 local time, the crowd fell silent as news spread of the Queen's death at Balmoral Castle in Scotland

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Palace staff soon confirmed the news by posting a framed letter between the bars of the Palace's iron fence. It read: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon."

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People react outside Buckingham Palace after the announcement of the Queen's death

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A police officer pays her respects outside Buckingham Palace after the death of Queen Elizabeth II

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Many others in the audience were posting updates on social media, including Instagram and TikTok - scenes that would have been unimaginable in 1953 when the Queen was crowned

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People began to place bouquets of flowers between the bars of the palace gates. Despite the rain, some people lit candles, and the display of respect for the late Queen is likely to continue late into the night

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