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King Charles is set to address a country in mourning following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth, the only monarch most Britons ever knew and the "spirit of the nation" for seven decades.

Charles , who raced to be by the side of the Queen at her Scottish home on Thursday, was due to travel back to London with his wife Camilla , now Queen Consort, before meeting the prime minister and making a televised statement.

The death of the Queen, Britain's longest-reigning monarch and a towering presence on the world stage for 70 years, has drawn condolences from around the world.

Waking up to their first day without a woman once described by her grandson Harry as "the nation's grandmother", members of the public began gathering again outside Buckingham Palace to lay flowers and take photos of the growing memorial there.

Billboards across the city displayed messages of condolence and newspapers ran front-page photo tributes to the Queen.

Buckingham Palace said there would a period of mourning to be observed by members of the family and the royal household until a week after the funeral, the date of which has not yet been confirmed but is expected in about 10 days time.

At the remote Balmoral Castle in Scotland where the Queen died on Thursday and where her family gathered, people also arrived to pay their respects.

"She was amazing. She was like everyone's granny. She always managed to capture the mood with her words," said Kay McClement, 55, who came with a friend to leave flowers at the castle.

People also gathered at Buckingham Palace to lay flowers outside the railings.

"I brought my young daughter here, because even though she won't remember it, we can tell her she was here as history was happening," said railway worker Liam Fitzjohn, 27.

Charles, who automatically succeeded her as king, said the death was a moment of great sadness for himself and his 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," the 73-year-old said in a statement.

He is expected to meet Prime Minister Liz Truss on Friday before later addressing the country.

There will be gun salutes at London's Hyde Park and at the Tower of London and the bells at Westminster Abbey and St Paul's will toll. At Windsor Castle, the Sebastopol Bell, captured during the 19th Century Crimean War and which is only struck to mark the death of the sovereign, will toll.

Regular business in parliament was replaced with a special session to pay tribute to the Queen.

The Queen had been suffering from what Buckingham Palace had called "episodic mobility problems" since the end of last year, forcing her to withdraw from nearly all her public engagements.

Her last public duty came only on Tuesday, when she appointed Truss prime minister - the 15th of her reign.

"The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a huge shock to the nation and to the world," Truss said outside her Downing Street office where the flag, like those at royal palaces and government buildings across Britain, was lowered.

"Through thick and thin, Queen Elizabeth II provided us with the stability and the strength that we needed. She was the very spirit of Great Britain - and that spirit will endure."

Trade unions cancelled planned strikes and the BBC national broadcaster said that "as a mark of respect" it had called off its remaining 'Proms' concerts - whose patriotic, flag-waving finale was due to take place on Saturday.

The Queen, who was also the world's oldest and longest-serving head of state, came to the throne following the death of her father King George VI on February 6, 1952, when she was just 25.

She was crowned in June the following year.

Elizabeth became monarch at a time when Britain retained much of its old empire with Winston Churchill her prime minister, while Josef Stalin led the Soviet Union and the Korean War was raging.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, former prime ministers and the opposition leader have led Australian tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Around the country, people laid flowers and signed condolence books after hearing the seven-decade reign of the Queen had ended following her death aged 96 in the early hours of Friday morning.

To mark her passing, Australia's Federation Guard fired a Gun Salute from the forecourt of Parliament House, using six Howitzer Ceremonial Guns firing one round for each year of the Queen's life at 10-second intervals.

Under constitutional law, King Charles III immediately became king when his mother died in Scotland.

Flags flew at half-mast across Australia and while the country is not expected to observe an official mourning period, a national memorial is expected.

Mr Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley are expected to travel to London for the Queen's funeral, the date for which is still to be confirmed.

Condolence books were made available for Australians to sign in various states and territories.

"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral," Buckingham Palace said in its official statement.

Mr Albanese paid tribute to the Queen.

"An historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end," he said.

"The government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the royal family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother - the person whom for so long was their greatest inner strength."

Mr Albanese said that "from her famous first trip to Australia, the only reigning sovereign to ever visit, it was clear Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia".

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor had been queen of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms, including Australia, since her reign began in February 1952.

Mr Hurley said Australians should take inspiration from the Queen's dedication and service.

"She was a truly remarkable person," he said in a statement.

"When I reflect on my own memories - she was my Queen for my whole life - I think of Her Majesty's dignity and her compassion. Her dedication and tireless work ethic. And her selflessness and unwavering commitment to the people that she served. To us."

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the Queen brought a stabilising force to the world.

"She has been such a significant part of our lives and the stability of our country, of our system of democracy - not just here - but around the world," he said.

Former prime minister Paul Keating said her public service was a "lesson in dedication".

"Her exceptionally long, dedicated reign is unlikely to be repeated; not only in Britain but in the world generally."

Former prime minister John Howard said he would look back on his meetings with the Queen during his years in power with great affection.

"She had what seemed to me to be a deep curiosity about Australia. She understood different features of Australian life," he said.

Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Philip Freier, said the Queen was much admired and respected by millions of people across the nation.

"As a frequent visitor to Australia the Queen had a special place in the hearts of Australians and she leaves behind a truly extraordinary legacy, having touched the lives of so many," he said.

The Queen's death has already reignited Australia's republic debate.

Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt tweeted his respects to the royal family but added "Australia must move forward".

"We need treaty with First Nations people, and we need to become a republic," he wrote.

Australian Republican Movement chair Peter FitzSimons expressed sadness over the Queen's death.

"It is unlikely we will ever see a monarch as respected or admired by the Australian people again," he said in a statement on Friday.

Monarchists said King Charles has been training his entire life for the role.

"Australians can take comfort in the knowledge that their new king will unequivocally continue the longstanding traditions, dutiful service and vital constitutional role which epitomised our late Queen," Australian Monarchist League chair Philip Benwell said.

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Australia's Governor-General David Hurley has described the sense of dread he felt when his phone rang in the early hours to inform him of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

"It was news that I desperately did not want to hear," he told the nation in a televised address on Friday night.

The 96-year-old monarch died overnight at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after a record seven-decade reign, bringing a second Elizabethan age to a close.

"We mourn her passing, we are grateful that we have witnessed, and benefited from, her remarkable life," Mr Hurley said. "May she rest in peace."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Liz Truss spoke by phone on Friday.

"The leaders shared their condolences following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, and agreed she had touched the lives of many, both in Australia and the UK," a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Tributes flowed in Australia throughout the day with Mr Albanese, former prime ministers and the opposition leader all paying homage to her life and legacy.

Around the country people laid flowers, signed condolence books and shared their memories of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, whose reign began at the age of 25 in February 1952.

A 96-gun salute was fired from the forecourt of Parliament House in Canberra on Friday evening - one round for each year of the Queen's life at 10-second intervals.

Flags flew at half-mast and the Sydney Opera House sails and other buildings around the county were lit up on Friday night in her honour.

"An historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end," Mr Albanese said on Friday.

"The government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the royal family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother - the person whom for so long was their greatest inner strength."

Mr Albanese said that "from her famous first trip to Australia, the only reigning sovereign to ever visit, it was clear Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia".

The Queen travelled to Australia 16 times, the last in 2011 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the Queen brought a stabilising force to the world.

"She has been such a significant part of our lives and the stability of our country, of our system of democracy - not just here - but around the world," he said.

Former prime minister Paul Keating said her public service was a "lesson in dedication".

"Her exceptionally long, dedicated reign is unlikely to be repeated; not only in Britain but in the world generally."

Former prime minister John Howard said he would look back on his meetings with the Queen during his years in power with great affection.

"She had what seemed to me to be a deep curiosity about Australia. She understood different features of Australian life," he said.

Former prime minister Julia Gillard was on a long-haul flight when the Queen died and did not hear the "terribly sad" news until disembarking on Friday evening.

"The Queen has been a powerful presence for as long as many of us can remember," she said in a statement.

"The Queen will be remembered as an extraordinary monarch who witnessed - and influenced - the trajectory of modern history."

Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Philip Freier, said the Queen was admired and respected across the nation.

"As a frequent visitor to Australia the Queen had a special place in the hearts of Australians and she leaves behind a truly extraordinary legacy, having touched the lives of so many," he said.

Under constitutional law, King Charles III immediately became king when his mother died and is Australia's new head of state. A proclamation ceremony will be held in Canberra on Sunday.

Mr Albanese and Mr Hurley are expected to travel to London on Thursday for the Queen's funeral, which could be held on September 19.

A national memorial service will be held in Australia after they return.

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HOW AUSTRALIA IS OBSERVING THE QUEEN'S DEATH

FRIDAY

* The governor-general announced the death of Her Majesty The Queen, following advice from Buckingham Palace.

* The prime minister issued a public statement on television and suspended parliament.

* Next week's scheduled sittings of the Queensland and NSW parliaments have totally postponed, while Victorian and West Australian MPs will sit for one day on Tuesday to hear condolence motions.

* A gun salute took place at Parliament House in Canberra at dusk to mark the Queen's death. It consisted of one round fired for each year of the Queen's life at 10-second intervals.

* The governor-general will address the nation at 6.55pm AEST.

* At 9pm AEST 'Queen Elizabeth II' will be projected onto the facade of the Australian War Memorial's Hall of Memory in Canberra.

WEEKEND

* A proclamation ceremony will be held at Parliament House in Canberra. This event is open to the public, subject to public health restrictions.

* The governor-general will read the proclamation on the forecourt of Parliament House and this will be followed by a 21-gun salute.

* In Australia, there will not be an official mourning period.

* The Australian flag should be flown at half-mast until after the day of the funeral in the UK. Direction will be provided to raise the flag for the proclamation.

* The sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated until midnight on Friday and Saturday evening.

* Condolence books have been made available at Parliament House and Government House in Canberra. Books of condolence will also be open at Government Houses in each state. Online condolence forms have also been created on the governor-general and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet websites.

* In Canberra, floral tributes may be left at the forecourt of Parliament House and Government House. Each state and territory has made arrangements for floral tributes. The royal family have noted that instead, Australians may wish to consider making a donation to a charity of their choice.

OTHER EVENTS:

* The Queen's funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey and attended by Australian representatives at a date to be confirmed.

* A national memorial service will be held following the return of the prime minister and governor-general from London.

* States and territories may hold additional memorial services.

* A national day of mourning will be declared by the prime minister, coinciding with the national memorial service. One minute's silence will be observed.

* Condolence motions will be given in both the House of Representatives and the Senate on the next respective sitting days following the national memorial service.

* The Australian Mint has plans to make new coins featuring King Charles from 2023 and the king is also expected to feature on a new $5 note in the future.

© AAP 2022