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Landmarks across Australia glow in purple to mark Queen's passing

Landmarks across Australia have been lit up in the colour purple to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Melbourne's MCG, Flinders Street Station and the Sydney Opera House are among those locations glowing in regal purple.

Her majesty, has died aged 96, peacefully at her Balmoral home in Scotland.

LIVE UPDATES: King Charles III delivers first speech since the death of the Queen

Premier Daniel Andrews paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, remembering her as someone like "no monarch before her".

"(It will be) a token of deep respect and gratitude for Queen Elizabeth II, her service, dignity, and grace," he said.

Other landmarks across Australia will also be illuminated tonight in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.

READ MORE: After a lifetime of preparation, Charles takes the throne

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the tribute on the Opera House was a symbolic gesture on behalf of the NSW Government.

"The tribute on the sails will recognise Her late Majesty's immense contribution to our state and nation, a fitting tribute as she officially opened the Sydney Opera House in 1973," Perrottet said.

Tributes from Australian politicians pour in for Queen Elizabeth II

Current and former Australian prime ministers have paid tribute to the Queen following her death early this morning.

Anthony Albanese led the charge and said "Australian hearts go out to the people of the United Kingdom", remarking that she always performed her duty with "fidelity, integrity and humour".

Queen Elizabeth II completed sixteen tours to Australia in her lifetime, each one greeted by cheering crowds.

LIVE UPDATES: Aussie politicians pay tribute to the Queen

"With the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second, an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end," Albanese said.

"The Government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother—the person whom for so long was their greatest inner strength.

"Australian hearts go out to the people of the United Kingdom who mourn today, knowing they will feel they have lost part of what makes their nation whole.

"There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty's own words: 'Grief is the price we pay for love'."

READ MORE: The life and achievements of Queen Elizabeth II

A number of former Australian Prime Ministers have also paid tribute to the late Monarch, including Kevin Rudd who praised her sense of duty.

"Therese and I had the opportunity to meet with the Queen on several occasions over the years, and it was clear from those conversations that her affection for Australia was as profound as it was enduring," he said.

"Whether republicans or monarchists, Australians will be deeply affected by this news."

Queen Elizabeth II making her first ever speech in Australia in 1954.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott said today is a sombre day as the world mourns "one of the greatest every human lives".

"She made history, she personified history and she had seen things and done things and met people beyond that of anyone else ever and that made her special," he said.

"She will be remembered as someone who had our well-being very much in her mind and in her heart, and I think she demonstrated this time and time again by the steady stream of messages that she sent to us in good times and in bad.

"She congratulated us on our victories. She sorrowed with us in our disasters. She was with us in our disasters. She was with us every step of the way and I think she appreciated that down to Earth, have a go, egalitarian Australian spirit."

READ MORE: From assassination plots to making Aeroguard famous: A look back on the Queen's visits to Australia

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott outside of Government House in Sydney following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

John Howard praised Her Majesty's commitment to duty and her service to the UK and the world.

"She saw service, commitment to duty, doing the right thing constitutionally and always understanding she was monarch by the free will and consent of her people not by any divine right," he said.

Former prime minister Paul Keating said the Queen's "stoicism and moralism" bound her to the job of being a monarch.

"She was an exemplar of public leadership, married for a lifetime to political restraint, remaining always, the constitutional monarch," his statement read.

"Her exceptionally long, dedicated reign is unlikely to be repeated; not only in Britain, but in the world generally."

The Queen greets students from St Andrews School on her one day Sydney visit.Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II signs the visitors' book at Parliament House, while Prime Minister Paul Keating and Parliament House officials look on, February 1992.

Julia Gillard praised Her Majesty as a "remarkable role model" after ascending to the throne at a young age but accepting the role with "grace, devotion and dignity".

"The Queen has been a powerful presence for as long as many of us can remember," she said.

"I am in awe of the Queen's legacy and remember my own personal meetings with her fondly.

"She was strong and steadfast, but also kind and had an engaging sense of humour."

READ MORE: A timeline of Queen Elizabeth II's recent health issues

Her Majesty The Queen accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard pose for a group photo with Commonwealth leaders at CHOGM 2011 in Perth.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton joined other political leaders in paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

"Never in modern history has there been a more dignified monarch, a more dutiful leader, or a more decent human than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," Dutton said in a statement.

"An extraordinary life which touched so many has sadly come to an end. The last page has been inked on an exceptional reign."

Dutton described the Queen as "gentle, kind, and much-loved".

"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II lived through the pivotal events of the 20th and 21st centuries – wars and conflicts, depression and recession, the end of empire and decolonisation, the race to the moon and the attainment of civil rights, the brilliance of Olympic Games and the barbarity of terrorism," he said.

"She led Britain through the darkest of days and through the times of triumph."

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Governor-General David Hurley described the Queen as "remarkable", saying that Australians can take inspiration from her tireless work ethic.

"I join with all Australians in mourning Her Majesty The Queen's passing and in remembering her lifetime of tireless service. She was a truly remarkable person," he said.

"When I reflect on my own memories – she was my Queen for my whole life – I think of Her Majesty's dignity and her compassion. Her dedication and tireless work ethic. And her selflessness and unwavering commitment to the people that she served. To us.

"Her death will sadden all Australians and will be felt around the world.

"As we mourn, we should also take inspiration from and give thanks for the remarkable contribution Her Majesty has made."

How Prince Charles won over the nation of Wales

Around half a century ago, Queen Elizabeth II invested Charles as the Prince of Wales in a ceremony full of pomp at Caernarfon Castle, but not everybody was joyous about the occasion.

Since that momentous day in north-west Wales, in July 1969, Charles has been moving on a trajectory to one day become King.

But it was his memorable actions on the day which won the hearts of many, and helped extinguish some rising resentment against the monarchy brought about by a new nationalist movement in Wales.

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In front of 4500 people, and on a stage occupied by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, Charles took a knee before his mother.

The Queen then invested Charles with the girdle, sword, coronet, ring, rod and kingly mantle.

Prince Charles declared: "I, Charles, Prince of Wales, do become your liege man of life and limb and of earthly worship and faith and truth I will bear unto thee to live and die against all manner of folks."

In line with custom, he then kissed the Queen's cheek and the two embraced.

READ MORE: The life and achievements of Queen Elizabeth II

Prince Charles kneels before Queen Elizabeth II, during the investiture ceremony at Caernafon Castle

He took his place in a throne at his mother's right, before standing to give two speeches, one in Welsh the other English.

His speeches were broadcast by the BBC in colour and black and white to 19 million viewers in Britain, and 500 million around the world.

While the elaborate ceremony was rich with pageantry, Prince Charles' role at the investiture was hugely important, and far more than simply symbolic.

At the time, there was a growing movement of Welsh nationalism and displeasure towards the rule of the monarchy.

To prepare himself for the investiture, Prince Charles spent a term studying at University College of Wales, dedicating himself to learning about Welsh history, culture and language.

As a result, he was able to give his ceremonial address in Welsh, and his replies in both Welsh and English.

According to the UK National Archives, in an interview after the investiture, Prince Charles said, "for me, it's a way of officially dedicating one's life or part of one's life to Wales".

READ MORE: Prince Harry too late to say final goodbye to Queen

Prince Charles at the investiture ceremony at Caernafon Castle

His time studying in Wales was challenging.

Every day he was greeted by a group of protesters at the university, he told British broadsheet The Telegraph.

"I had to go down to the town where I went to these lectures, and most days there seemed to be a demonstration going on against me."

But his persistence paid off and he won over the nation.

"Speaking for myself, as a result of my two-month stay in this country, I have come to see far more in the title I hold than hitherto," he said in part of his investiture speech.

"I am more than grateful to the people of this Principality for making my brief stay so immensely worthwhile and for giving me such encouragement in the learning of the language."

The investiture kickstarted a four-day tour around Wales.

A tour press note held in the National Archives stated Prince Charles "wishes to meet as many people as possible, that informality should be the keynote and formal occasions kept to a minimum".

READ MORE: Operation Unicorn: What happens after Queen's death in Scotland

Prince Charles walks with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

The tradition of investing the heir apparent with the title of "Prince of Wales" began in 1301, when King Edward I of England completed the conquest of Wales.

According to legend, Edward I promised the Welsh people a prince who could speak no English.

He presented them with his infant son.

And so began a tradition for English kings to bestow their heir with the title "Prince of Wales".

He gave the title to Prince Edward, who became King Edward II.