Thousands of people gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London tearfully sang “God Save the Queen” in an emotional scene mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Reuters reported.

People gathered in front of Buckingham Palace after the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth IIPhoto: Jack Dredd / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Shortly before people fell into stunned silence as the Union Jack flag was flown at half-mast in the palace to mark the monarch’s death, a rainbow appeared over the London sky.

“I grew up with her always around,” said counselor Margaret Parris, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She drove 32 km to the palace after hearing that the queen was unwell.

The mood on the esplanade outside Buckingham Palace was very different three months ago, when the Queen appeared on the balcony to thunderous cheers from platinum jubilee revelers, marking 70 years on the throne.

On Thursday, the sense of dismay was replaced by shock when her death was announced.

The palace posted an official notice on the gate outside, which Londoners and tourists insisted on seeing.

Thousands of people continued to come to the palace, some with flowers in hand.