Carrie Johnson shares heartfelt tribute to the Queen – and reveals the very sweet gesture she made for son Wilfred

CARRIE Johnson has shared a heartfelt tribute following the death of The Queen - and revealed a sweet gesture the monarch made to her son, Wilf.

Paying her respects in an Instagram post on Friday, Mrs Johnson said she felt "a huge sense of loss" following Her Majesty's death at 96.

The Queen died "peacefully" at Balmoral on Thursday - bringing her historic 70 year reign to a heart-breaking close.

Carrie, the wife of ex-PM Boris Johnson, wrote: ";Waking up this morning feeling so sad and with such a huge sense of loss.

"We were so lucky that she was our Queen."

Alongside her touching words, the 34-year-old shared two pictures of The Queen: one as a little girl holding one of her beloved Corgis, and another with a pack of black Labradors at Balmoral.

Mum-of-two Carrie also praised Her Majesty for being "so warm and kind and funny", saying how she "would immediately put you at ease".

And she shared a heart-warming personal anecdote from a visit she and Boris made to Balmoral last year.

Carrie revealed how the Queen produced some old family toys for Wilf to play with.

The two-year-old "was so delighted", Carrie said.

She went on, saying: "Spending time with her was an enormous privilege.

"She was the wisest, kindest and most steadfast woman.

"We will all miss her so much."

Carrie added how her thoughts and prayers were with the Royal Family following the Queen's death.

The Queen's passing comes as...

• Devastated King Charles and Queen Camilla land back in London ahead of TV address tonight
• Prince Harry returns to Frogmore Cottage after tragically arriving in Scotland too late to say goodbye for Queen’s death
• Liz Truss says ‘God save the King’ to cheers in Commons after touching tribute to ‘devoted’ Queen
• Charles to be proclaimed King tomorrow at Accession Council as ceremony to be televised for the first time in history
• Touching moment grieving King Charles consoled after death of Queen by same airport worker who comforted Prince Harry
• New titles for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children confirmed following Queen’s death
• Charles gets kiss on the cheek as he joins thousands outside Buckingham Palace to chants of ‘God save the King’
• Premier League and EFL call off all weekend’s football following the death of The Queen as sporting world pays respect
• Inside the step-by-step 10-day plan leading to the Queen’s funeral – including gun salute and period of lying in state

The tribute comes as the nation was plunged into mourning on Thursday following news of The Queen's passing.

Buckingham Palace announced in a statement yesterday: "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."

In a statement on Friday, King Charles III declared a 17-day mourning period to reflect on Britain's longest-serving monarch.

It comes as the Union Flag is being flown at half mast at Buckingham Palace.

And a notice of The Queen's death has also been pinned to the palace gates.

Tens of thousands of mourners flocked to Buckingham Palace to pay their respects.

And the House of Commons fell silent to honour the service The Queen made to the United Kingdom and The Commonwealth over her 70 year reign.

Church bells rung out at 12pm on Friday in honour of The Queen.

And a 96-gun salute took place across the country in tribute to every year of The Queen's life.

Black cabs lined The Mall - the road leading up to the palace - in a tear-jerking tribute to Her Majesty.

Charles, who will now be known as King Charles III, also released a statement.

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."

Charles is now King and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort.