Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen passed away on Thursday evening (September 8) at her Balmoral residence in Scotland with her family around her.
As Australia wakes to the news of the passing of the Commonwealth's monarch, the Australian Prime Minister has issued his condolences to the Royal Family and the world.
"There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: 'Grief is the price we pay for love'," Albanese said.
He added that the passing of Queen Elizabeth II is 'the end of an era'.
"Today marks the end of an era - the close of the second Elizabethan age," Albanese said.
"This time of mourning will pass, but the deep respect and warm regard in which Australians have always held for Her Majesty, will never fade. May she rest in eternal peace."
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles will be officially proclaimed as King Charles III, according to documents detailing 'Operation London Bridge'.
The Australian Prime Minister revealed that in the coming days he will travel to London to meet the new king, King Charles III, and what else happens next.
"In the coming days, the Governor-General and I will be heading to London where we will meet the King. We will convey the sorrow of Australians, as well as our best wishes to him and the Queen Consort as he takes on his duties as sovereign," Albanese told Australians.
"Queen Elizabeth II has been a wise and encouraging guide, always wanting the best for our nation and greeting each change with understanding, good grace and an abiding faith in the Australian people's judgement."
He added: "From her first trip here, it was clear Her Majesty had a special place in our hearts, and we, in hers."
In 2015, The Queen became the longest reigning monarch in 1,000 years of British history. That same year, she made her last foreign trip to Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
Despite health problems, Queen Elizabeth II continued her service and public duties well into her old age, regularly touring and visiting parts of the UK and Northern Ireland.
In recent years the Queen had stepped back from a number of public duties, with other members of the Royal Family stepping in to cover for her.
Another blow came for the Queen last year, when she lost her husband of 74 years, Prince Philip.
Philip died in April 2021, just two months before his 100th birthday.
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