Newspapers across the UK are today marking the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne.

The Queen died peacefully at her beloved Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire at around 4.30pm yesterday afternoon, with official news of the monarch’s death announced by the BBC’s Huw Edwards around at 6.30pm.

Journalists on the UK’s regional titles, many of which have long had plans in place for how they would cover the story, immediately began preparing special editions, with mastheads turning black as the country begins 12 days of national mourning.

And industry leaders were today urging the public to ensure they obtained their own “piece of history” by buying a paper.

Mark Thompson, online editor of National World Publishing, said on Twitter: “Last night I witnessed hundreds of talented journalists working tirelessly to pull together fitting tributes to The Queen.

“The love, care and attention that went into these historic newspapers of @NatWorldPub is truly astounding. #buyapaper today.”

Former Northern Echo editor Karl Holbrook, now on the Daily Express, tweeted:  “A small point…#buyapaper today. Whichever you choose, local or national, or both, a heck of a lot of work went into marking a historic day. It’s a small piece of history.”

And journalism course leader at Sheffield University Michelle Rawlins added:  “If you are ever going to #buyapaper today could be the day. All these commemorative editions of Queen Elizabeth II will not be the same in a digital version. There’s some very special about the physical print editions. So many beautiful front pages.”

Former Archant and JPIMedia edtorial director Jeremy Clifford,  now running his own consultancy business, hailed the “world-class coverage” of the Queen’s passing in UK national and regional titles.

Here is a gallery of some of the front page tributes to Her Majesty that have been published this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final image comes from the back page of the Northern Echo’s wraparound and featured the Queen’s 1947 quote on her 21st birthday: “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.”