The Bishop of Oxford said the nation would be ‘united in mourning for our beloved Queen’.

The Rt Rev Steven Croft, who was appointed bishop in 2016, said: “We will need time to grieve and to share our grief with others. We pray at this time for the Queen's family and especially for Charles as he prepares to become King.

“This will be a season for deep reflection in the life of our nation as we look back in thanksgiving and forward in hope.”

He added: “Her Majesty the Queen has been a cherished presence in all of our lives and for the whole of our lives.

“She has been our example and a rock for the nation and commonwealth.

“Her devoted service has given stability to the nation throughout this Elizabethan age. Her deep, personal Christian faith has been an inspiration to many, including me.”

READ MORE: Crowds gathered to see the Queen arrive for Royal Maundy service

The Queen was the head of the Church of England. And in his tribute to the departed monarch, the bishop emphasised the country’s ‘deep foundations in Christian faith’.

He said: “A key part of our faith is the distinctive hope of resurrection from the dead: that our life in Christ endures beyond death and for eternity. As we grieve and pray, we also look forward together in hope to that new and eternal life with God.”

“We have prayed through all of our lives: God save the Queen,” he added.

“We now entrust Her Majesty to her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and commit ourselves afresh to his service and to God's eternal kingdom."

A book of condolence is expected to be set up at Christ Church Cathedral, while arrangements for services of memorial are likely to be fixed in the coming days.

The Queen herself visited the cathedral in 2013, when she handed out Maundy Money.

One of the purses contained a £5 and 50p coin commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation while the other contained specially minted silver coins.

Christ Church Cathedral Choir performed alongside the choir of Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal. The hymns included Love Divine and When I survey the Wondrous Cross.