Several sightings of rainbows across the United Kingdom have proved a poignant symbol to mourners in the wake of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Social media has been awash with sightings of the phenomenon in the hours before and after Queen Elizabeth's death, with a double rainbow shimmering across the crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday afternoon (local time) - prompting awe from the throngs of people paying their respects to the monarch.
"There was a double rainbow outside Buckingham Palace this afternoon when The Queen passed away. She's really left us," a self-proclaimed royal enthusiast tweeted, alongside a photo of the two arches reaching across the sky.
Another rainbow also fleetingly appeared over Windsor Castle, the Queen's residence in the English county of Berkshire, according to photographs and numerous anecdotes on social media.
"As the flag is lowered to half-mast over Windsor Castle an incredible rainbow appears over the castle for a few minutes and then just like that, it was gone," royal photographer Chris Jackson tweeted.
Model Louise Glover added: "As the [British] flag was being brought down after the Queen died today, the rainbow shone over Windsor Castle, home of Her Majesty."
In a tweet, CBS Morning meteorologist Katie Nickolaou acknowledged the "amazing" appearance of the rainbows before and after news broke of the Queen's passing.
"Sometimes the weather does amazing things," she tweeted, alongside another photograph of the double rainbow extending over Buckingham Palace.
"This rainbow appeared around the time they announced the Queen's passing. Looks to me like heaven rolled out the red carpet for her."
Elsewhere in Britain, Beccles Primary Academy - a primary school in the county of Suffolk - noted a rainbow had also formed above their school grounds on Thursday evening (local time).
"A poignant moment with a rainbow proudly cast over our school this evening. We are deeply saddened to hear news of the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II."
American journalist and author Andy Ngo noted that some mourners were viewing the double rainbow as a representation of the Queen and Prince Philip, her husband of 73 years. Philip died on April 9 last year, about two months before his 100th birthday.
Queen Elizabeth II was 96 when the news of her passing broke during the early hours of Friday morning (NZ time).
A statement on Thursday had said the monarch was under "medical supervision" at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," the Royal Family later confirmed in a press statement.
"King Charles III has succeeded his mother as the monarch.
"The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
Queen Elizabeth famously ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on February 6, 1952 after her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated in order to marry American Wallis Simpson. Her father, King George VI, took his place but died in 1952. Elizabeth subsequently became Queen at the age of 25 and reigned ever since.
The Queen's death comes about 17 months after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, on April 9, 2021. The couple had been married for 73 years.
The monarch is survived by her four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Andrew, Duke Of York; and Edward, Duke of Wessex.
The Queen's oldest son, the longtime heir apparent Prince Charles, is now officially the King.
More tweets and footage covering the rainbow sightings below:
