UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has arrived at the service of prayer and reflection whichi is due to start at St Anne's Cathedral in the next ten minutes.

Truss is sitting alongside taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin and Irish foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney.

Image source, PA Media

King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, have just departed from Hillsborough Castle in County Down after that motion of condolence and the reception with Northern Ireland political leaders.

They are now travelling to St Anne's Cathedral for a community service for the people of Northern Ireland, to remember the Queen.

They will be joined by UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, Stormont leaders and the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin, Irish President Michael D Higgins and Irish foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney.

Image source, Reuters

King Charles III and the Queen Consort have just attended a reception at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in County Down.

It's being hosted by the recently-appointed Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

The King has met representatives drawn from a diverse range of Northern Ireland life.

These include Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Alex Maskey and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long.

Enda McClafferty
BBC News NI political editor

Image source, Reuters

Stormont Speaker Alex Maskey chose his words carefully.

Sinn Féin's longest-serving elected representative was there to deliver a message of condolence to the King and Queen Consort on the death of the Queen.

But the message he delivered went much further as he reflected on the changing political landscape in Northern Ireland.

And he also used the moment to reflect his frustration at what he called the lack of leadership, which was a veiled reference to the Stormont stalemate.

Enda McClafferty
BBC News NI political editor

Image source, Getty Images

Within hours of the Queen's death, a warning was sent from Sinn Féin headquarters reminding activists associated with the Irish republican party to be "respectful" and avoid "personal abuse" when engaging in social media.

There was no specific mention of the Queen's death, but the message was clear.

The Queen's visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011 - boycotted by Sinn Féin - led to a transformation of the relationship, with republications later building on that relationship with meetings and handshakes between the Queen and Northern Ireland's then-deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness.

His successor, Michelle O'Neill, along with the other party leaders, will offer her condolences in person to King Charles III at Hillsborough today.

A Sinn Féin delegation will then join the King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, at a special service marking the Queen's passing at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.

However, Sinn Féin will not be taking part in any events marking King Charles' accession to the throne.

That is where republicans draw the line.

Those events, says the party, are only for those who have an allegiance to the crown.

Read more about the evolving relationship between Sinn Féin and the Queen here.

King Charles III responds to Speaker's message of condolence, saying it's "fitting that we should meet at Hillsborough, which my mother knew so well".

"In the years since she began her long life of public service, my mother saw Northern Ireland pass through momentous and historic changes.

"Through all those years she never ceased to pray for the best of times for this place and its people, whose stories she knew, whose sorrows our family had felt, and for whom she had a great affection and regard."

He adds that his mother made a pledge at the beginning of her life in service to maintain the principles of constitutional government - "a promise she kept with steadfast faith".

"Now with that shining example before me, I take up my new duties, resolved to seek the welfare of all the inhabitants of Northern Ireland," the King adds.

Alex Maskey notes the time between Queen Elizabeth II's visits following her coronation in 1953 and for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

"It's extraordinary to consider how much social and political change Queen Elizabeth II witnessed in the time between those visits and indeed throughout her long reign," he says.

"Yesterday, an assembly of unionist, republicans, nationalists and those for whom the constitution is not a main focus, united to pay tribute to the late Queen.

"When she first came to the throne no one would have anticipated an assembly so diverse and inclusive.

"Nor I imagine would it have been contemplated that someone from my own background and political tradition would be in this position in front of you today as Speaker.

"We can of course never forget that over the last decades too many have experienced tragedy and sorrow which will never leave them.

"We have to understand that there are those for whom our political process has not yet been enough to ease their hurt and their pain."

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey, says Queen Elizabeth was "not a distant observer in the transformation and progress of relationships in and between these islands".

"She personally demonstrated how individual acts of positive leadership can help break down barriers, and encourage reconciliation," he says.

"She showed how a small but significant gesture, a visit, a handshake, crossing the street, or speaking a few words of Irish, can make a huge difference in changing attitudes and building relationships."

King Charles III and the Queen Consort are receiving a message of condolence on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland from the speaker of the Stormont Assembly Alex Maskey.

He says "King Charles, during this period of public mourning for Queen Elizabeth we are mindful that you and your family grieve on the passing of a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother.

"I hope you and your family can take comfort from the appreciation and the warmth that has accompanied tributes to the Queen across these islands and indeed across the world.

"I would like to sympathise you with you at this difficult time."

Chris Page
BBC News Ireland correspondent

In Northern Ireland, people’s attitudes to the monarchy tend to be linked to their national identity.

For unionists – who want Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom – the sovereign is the personhood of Britishness, embodying the authority of the crown as a unifying force across the UK’s four nations.

Nationalists – who want Northern Ireland to become part of the Republic of Ireland – generally do not recognise the sovereignty of the crown here.

Unionists feel the loss of the late Queen most profoundly – and will welcome the new King most enthusiastically.

Nationalist sentiment is reflected in the main parties’ words during the last few days – focusing on paying tribute to the late Queen’s role in the peace process, and remaining detached from ceremonies to mark the King’s accession.

The most recent election result for the devolved Assembly at Stormont provides an indication of people’s perspectives on the constitutional question – though owing to the complexities of local politics, it is by no means definitive.

In May, roughly 42% of people cast their first preference vote for a unionist politician.

Around 40% voted for nationalists, and the rest – 18% - gave their number one preference to candidates who were designated as being neutral on the constitutional status of Northern Ireland.

There is a growing number of people who do not see themselves as being firmly on either side of the traditional divide.

Within that group, there may be a range of views on royalty and its role.

Matt Fox
Reporting from Belfast

Elsewhere in Northern Ireland, people are beginning to gather near Belfast City Hall, where the King and Queen Consort will pass later this afternoon.

Simon McGregor, Simon Magee, Travis McGregor and Nicky McGregor have secured front-row spots.

The group from Dunmurry, County Antrim, have already been to Hillsborough Castle to pay their respects.

Simon McGregor said he has met the King several times and that his family regularly receives Christmas cards from the royals as his father worked with the Prince’s Trust, a youth charity founded by the King.

“It must be tough on him [the King], but he’s strengthening bonds between the devolved governments and the nation’s relationship with the monarchy,” said Simon Magee.

After greeting the crowds outside Hillsborough Castle, King Charles III is now holding a private audience with the newly appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris.

He is then due to meet senior representatives of Northern Ireland's five main political parties.

Image source, PA Media

Back in Edinburgh, the Scottish government has tweeted to say the queue to see the Queen's coffin in St Giles' Cathedral has now closed.

The government says more than 26,000 people have had a chance to pay their last respects - including many who queued during the night.

Some of those joining the queue shortly before it closed have been told they may miss out on seeing the coffin before it's moved out of the cathedral to continue its journey to London.

It's not everyday you get to meet members of the UK's Royal Family - let alone the new King.

And as King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, met crowds outside Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland just now - one school child in the front row appeared overwhelmed with excitement.

The boy, having managed to shake hands with both Charles and Camilla, could be seen gesturing to his classmates before letting out a scream and raising his hands in the air.

Speaking to the girl beside him, the boy appears to be amazed that one of his hands was shaken by the King and the other by the Queen Consort.

Image source, Reuters

King Charles III is now at Hillsborough Castle where he will meet Northern Ireland’s political leaders, including those from the nationalist parties, who want Northern Ireland to become part of the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking ahead of the King’s arrival, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Democratic Unionist Party leader, says he felt the way in which Sinn Féin and the SDLP had handled the Queen’s death and King’s visit was a “sign of politics maturing in Northern Ireland”.

“The fact we have all the main political parties in Northern Ireland represented today in the audience with the King is a sign of the progress we have made,” he said.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said he felt the presence of Sinn Féin at Hillsborough was welcome and a sign of progress.

“People who reach out in the manner they have has got to be welcome,” he said.

Social Democratic and Labour Party Assembly Member Matthew O’Toole said it was important for his party to “recognise and affirm” the deep grief felt by some.

“It is a major historical moment, but it is particularly resonant and poignant to people of a British and unionist background so it is important that we bear witness to that,” he added.

To calls of "God Save the King", King Charles and Camilla leave the crowds and walk inside the grounds of Hillsborough Castle, which is the Royal Family's residence in Northern Ireland.

The Royal Standard is now flying from the flagpole of the castle to mark the monarch's presence.

As well as greeting a parties of schoolchildren, the King has met members of local guide and scout groups.

Children in the bright yellow caps of the Brownies and Cubs' green tops could be seen talking to King Charles.

King Charles and Camilla have got out of their car and are meeting people who've gathered at Hillsborough Castle.

Image source, PA Media

After their 31-minute flight from Edinburgh to Northern Ireland, King Charles III and the Queen Consort were formally greeted by several people as they got off the plane.

The King shook hands and exchanged words with the Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris.

He was also introduced to the chief executive of Belfast City Airport, Matthew Hall and two children from a local cross-community primary school.

Ella Smith and Lucas Watt, both 10, of Forge Integrated Primary School, presented the King with a gift of truffles with an image of the Giant's Causeway on the tin.

Camilla was given a small posy of flowers taken from the gardens of Hillsborough Castle.

Image source, The Chocolate Manor

Ciaran McCauley
Reporting from Hillsborough, County Down

King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, have just disembarked from their plane at Belfast City airport.

They will make their way to the village of Hillsborough, which was given the prefix royal in 2021 to recognise its long connection with the Royal Family.

The preparations in the town have been made and press are now being corralled into the walkabout area at Hillsborough Castle.

People have been lining its streets since 05:00 BST, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. The Main Street is fairly packed.

Some people sensibly brought camp chairs, picnics and thermal flasks of hot drinks, anticipating a long wait before the King's arrival.

Read more here.