Huw Edwards has revealed that he had "about 10 seconds" to prepare to announce the death of The Queen to the nation last month.
On the afternoon of September 8, the BBC switched to breaking news coverage - anchored chiefly by Edwards - after it emerged that the 96-year-old monarch was seriously unwell at Balmoral.
Although her death certificate confirmed that she died at 3.10pm, Buckingham Palace did not release the news until 6.30pm - at which point Edwards paused briefly before reading the sad announcement.
"Usually, when you have a breaking story there's a lot of shouting in your ear from the gallery, saying, 'Go to the news, go to the news,' but this time was different," the veteran broadcaster told the Radio Times.
"The announcement came up on the wires and the gallery said, 'The announcement is here. Take your time. Speak when you are ready.'"
He added: "I was sad... It was the end of an era in British history, the end of a presence that has been with many people throughout their entire lives."
Edwards went on to serve as the main anchor for the BBC's coverage of the period of national mourning through to The Queen's funeral on September 19.
Neil Wilkes
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