Mourners continue to flock to Buckingham Palace where a huge mound of floral tributes has built up outside the gates - while Tower Bridge is lit up in purple in honour of Britain's longest-reigning monarch

 Thousands of mourners continued to gather at the gates of Buckingham Palace last night following the death of the Queen to pay their respects, leaving hundreds of bouquets, personal notes and candles in her honour.A huge mound of floral tributes has built up outside the gates, while Tower Bridge has been lit up in purple in honour of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.It comes after the King wiped away tears yesterday and appeared to clutch his heart after the first royal walkaround of his reign at Buckingham Palace. Royal park staff last night began closing the area around the Victoria memorial outside Buckingham Palace.

Metal railings were placed in front of the entrance to the memorial as staff asked members of the public to leave yesterday evening.

Thousands of mourners remained outside Buckingham Palace last night. The King was greeted by kisses and shouts of 'God Save the King' as he received a rapturous welcome from thousands of well-wishers. 

The King was heard saying, 'Thank you so much, it's so kind, it really is', 'God bless you' and 'I've really dreaded this day' during the 15-minute walkabout. One woman shouted to him, 'We love you King Charles and we loved your mum'. 

Huge crowds cheered as the visibly emotional sovereign arrived in a vintage Rolls-Royce alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort, before he got out and began shaking hands with countless members of the public waiting behind a barrier. 

In moving scenes less than 24 hours after the death of his mother the Queen, shouts of God Save the King broke out before an impromptu rendition of the National Anthem, with the words changed for the new monarch. 

As the sun shone on an otherwise dull, damp day, the Royal Standard was raised above

Buckingham Palace for the first time of his reign.

Onlookers shouted three cheers for Charles as one woman leaned over to kiss him on the hand and another asked 'Can I kiss you?' before pecking him on the cheek. Others reached out holding red roses for the King as the Queen Consort followed behind at a distance before joining her husband at his side to view the floral tributes left outside the gates.

As a bugle sounded, Charles, dressed in mourning black suit and tie, walked side by side with Camilla - who seemed close to tears - through the main entrance of Buckingham Palace.  Queen Camilla and the King proceeded to go through the Palace archway Charles appeared to lift his hand to his heart and then face, in an apparent bid to wipe away a tear.