Hillary Clinton has congratulated Donald Trump on his election to the White House and outlined her hope that he will be a “successful president for all Americans.”

In a dignified and emotionally charged speech, Ms Clinton admitted she was disappointed at the election outcome but spoke of the “pride and gratitude” she had in her campaign.

“This is painful and it will be for a long time but I want you to remember this - our campaign was never about one person or even one election,” she said.

“It was about building an America that is hopeful, inclusive and big hearted.”

Ms Clinton said her country is “more deeply divided than we thought” but called on her supporters to accept the result and look to the future.

“I still believe in America and I always will,” she said.

“Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.”

She called on her supporters to “do all we can to keep advancing the causes and values we all hold dear” and said her campaign that has spent a year and a half bringing people together “from every corner of our country to say with one voice that we believe that the American dream is big enough for everyone.”

“For people of all races and religions, for men and women, for immigrants, for LGBT people and people with disabilities. For everyone,” she said.

Ms Clinton said she has “spent her entire life” fighting for what she believes in and urged young people to “never stop believing that fighting for what is right is worth it.”

“To all the women - and especially the young women - who put their faith in this campaign and in me; I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion.”

“I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday someone will - and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.”

She also had some words of encouragement for her younger female supporters:

Ms Clinton left the stage to a standing ovation with the words "My friends, let us have faith in each other, let us not grow weary and lose heart, for there are more seasons to come and there is more work to do.