Prince Harry lands in Aberdeen after the death of his grandmother The Queen was announced

Prince Harry has landed in Aberdeen, shortly after the death of his grandmother, the Queen was announced. 

Buckingham Palace declared the passing of Britain’s longest-serving monarch aged 96 at 6.30pm.

But flight data shows the Duke of Sussex’s jet was still in the air at the time, not touching down at the airport until nearly 15 minutes later. 

He is now en route to join other members of the Royal Family in mourning the Queen’s death.

Harry headed to the Scottish estate alone, without his wife Meghan, having previously been due to attend the WellChild Awards in London this evening. 

Harry was expected to make a speech at tonight’s awards, which honours the brave deeds of seriously ill children, before he cancelled the appearance.

It is understood Meghan has remained in London, but will not attend the WellChild awards. The duchess could potentially join Harry in Scotland at a later date, a source said.

Flight data shows the Duke of Sussex ‘s jet was still in the air at the time, not touching down at the airport until nearly 15 minutes later

King Charles, seen carrying a briefcase, took a royal helicopter to Balmoral from Dumfries House with his wife this morning. Princess Anne was already at Balmoral after an engagement this week.

A flight carrying seven members of the Royal household – including Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex – flew from RAF Northolt in London and landed at Aberdeen at 4pm.

The Duke of Cambridge took to the wheel of his Range Rover with his uncles and aunt on board amid deep concerns about Her Majesty’s health earlier today.

It was confirmed that Her Majesty had died ‘peacefully’ at Balmoral this afternoon, at the age of 96.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow’.

The Queen’s death will see Britain and her Commonwealth realms enter into a ten-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad come to terms with her passing.

And as her son accedes to the throne, there will also be a celebration of her historic 70-year reign that saw her reach her Platinum Jubilee this year – a landmark unlikely to be reached again by a British monarch.

Charles, the King, said: ‘The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

‘We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

‘During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.’