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British Prime Minister Theresa May has signed a letter invoking Article 50, which will formally start the process for the country's exit from the European Union, NBC News reported.

According to the source, May's office announced the letter had been signed and released a photo showing May signing the Article 50 letter Tuesday night.

"The PM has signed the letter which will trigger Article 50 tomorrow, starting negotiations for the UK to leave the EU," May's office said, as quoted by the source.

Voters in June approved a referendum to leave the European Union. Invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty formally starts that process. Talks could last up to two years.

British voters chose in June to leave by 52 percent against 48 percent voting to remain. May is expected to make a statement Wednesday in which she will pledge: "It is my fierce determination to get the right deal for every single person in this country," ITV reported.

"For, as we face the opportunities ahead of us on this momentous journey, our shared values, interests and ambitions can, and must, bring us together," she is expected to say.
May, who came to power after the referendum result prompted the resignation of her predecessor David Cameron, said earlier this year that she will seek a so-called "hard Brexit." That means the U.K. would quit the EU completely and also withdraw from the single market for goods.

Invoking Article 50 sets Britain down a path of no return. The process cannot be reversed or abandoned without the unanimous agreement of newly-antagonized EU states.