Queen Elizabeth updates: State funeral ends 11 days of ceremonies

The newly appointed prime minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss, emphasized the importance of Queen Elizabeth II’s rule while addressing the death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch on Thursday.

"Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built," Truss said outside of 10 Downing Street on Thursday. "Our country has grown and flourished under her reign. Britain is the great country it is today because of her."

Among the accomplishments Truss highlighted were Elizabeth’s accomplishment of growing the Commonwealth from a small group of seven countries to a "family of 56 nations" as well as visiting more than 100 countries as sovereign.

The queen, who met with Truss on Tuesday at Balmoral, invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, to form a new government as prime minister, an act emblematic of the queen’s devotion to duty, Truss said.

"Earlier this week, at 96, she remained determined to carry out her duties as she appointed me as her 15th prime minister," Truss said, describing her as the "the very spirit of Great Britain."

Truss also extended condolences to the now-King Charles III, calling for the country to support him in the passing of the crown.

"We offer him our loyalty, and devotion, just as his mother devoted so much to so many for so long," Truss said.

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UK Prime Minister Liz Truss remarks on the death of Queen Elizabeth IILiz Truss was appointed prime minister by Queen Elizabeth II just two days before her death.

ABCNews.com

The queen's eldest son and new king of England -- who will be known as King Charles III -- released a statement following his mother's passing.

"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," Charles said.

"I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world," the statement continued.

The U.K. ordered all flags to fly at half-mast in the wake of the queen's death Thursday.

In a bit of fortuitous timing, the rain clouds eased up following the announcement and rainbows appeared over Buckingham Palace.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also ordered the flags to fly at half-mast over the Capitol in tribute to the monarch, according to her deputy chief of staff.

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, there is a new line of succession to the British throne.

The queen's oldest son, Charles, the Prince of Wales, is now the new king. Members of his direct family -- including his sons, Princes William and Harry -- are now higher in the line of succession.

In general, succession falls to the first-born child of the heir and their children, followed by the next oldest sibling of the heir and their offspring and so on.

Read more about the line of succession here.