Elizabeth II died peacefully at the Balmoral estate on Thursday. The 96-year-old, who was the UK’s longest-serving monarch, had her family with her.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Queen had given “decades of her life in service”, while the new Prime Minister said she had been “devoted” to the Union.
Liz Truss, leading tributes in the House of Commons, said: “She was devoted to the union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
In one of her last acts, the Queen had an audience with Ms Truss, where she formally invited her to become Prime Minister at Balmoral on Tuesday – just two days before she died.
The new Prime Minister described the Queen as being “the rock on which modern Britain was built”.
In Scotland, flowers were laid at both Balmoral and at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Amongst those leaving a bouquet in the Scottish capital was a two-year-old girl who shared the Queen’s name.
Elizabeth Ewan came to the royal family’s official Scottish residence on Friday.
Her father said: “We just wanted to pay our respects. She’s been an amazing lady these last 70 years so we wanted to respond.”
Speaking about his daughter, he added: “This is Elizabeth, she’s named after her granny and after our Queen.”
In the nearby Scottish Parliament building, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone signed a book of condolence opened for MSPs to sign.
She said: “Her Majesty The Queen’s love of Scotland has always been clear, as has been her support for the Scottish Parliament.
“I know the pages of this book will reflect many personal tributes that Members of this Parliament will want to pay.
“I personally wanted to pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen for her loyal service to her country and for her commitment to the Scottish Parliament which never wavered, even towards the end of her life.”
The Provost of Aberdeenshire Judy Whyte, meanwhile, was among those paying tribute with flowers outside Balmoral.
She said: “It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
“The nation has lost its greatest ambassador, and throughout her reign she was an impeccable servant to the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.
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“She held Aberdeenshire very dear to her heart, and it is that relationship which will be remembered most fondly. It is fitting that she spent her final days on the Balmoral Estate, somewhere which was so special to her.”
A 96-gun salute rang out in Edinburgh – one for each year of the Queen’s life.
Earlier, bells had rung in churches in the capital and across Scotland in celebration of her life.
As the tributes were being paid, the King travelled to London after spending Thursday night at Balmoral.
Charles departed Birkhall, his private home on the Balmoral estate, by car at around 11.15am on Friday.
With Camilla, the new Queen, in the front passenger seat, Charles sat in the back, dressed in his mourning clothes of a black suit and tie, looking sombre as he headed to Aberdeen Airport.
Camilla stared straight ahead as they were driven from the Scottish residence, where they had rushed to be at the Queen’s bedside after her health deteriorated.
