On Air Now Late Night Love Songs 11:00pm - 1:00am
Now Playing Chris De Burgh Lady In Red

Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II who has died aged 96

Thursday, 8 September 2022 19:19

By Adam Higgins X @HigginsAdam95

Tributes are pouring in from around the world to Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom's longest-ruling monarch, who has passed away at the age of 96.

The Royal Family announced the sad news on Thursday evening (8 September) shortly after 6.30pm. 

A short statement read: "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." 

Her family gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier on Thursday. 

A formal notice to announce the passing of the Queen was placed on an easel on the railings at Buckingham Palace, where the Union flag has been lowered to half-mast and crowds have gathered to pay their respects. 

Reigning for 70 years, the Queen came to the throne in 1952. She is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. 

Following her death, the Queen's eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms. Clarence House has confirmed that he will be known as King Charles III. 

Charles says his 'beloved' mother's death is a 'moment of the greatest sadness' for him and his family. 

Liz Truss, who was appointed the Queen's 15th prime minister on Tuesday, read a statement outside 10 Downing Street in which she described it as a "huge shock to the nation and the world". 

Ms Truss said the Queen was the "rock on which modern Britain was built" and the "very spirit of Great Britain".

The PM also paid tribute to King Charles, saying the country must now come together to support him and offer our "loyalty and devotion". She closed by saying "God save the King". 


Prime Minister Liz Truss speaking outside 10 Downing Street 

Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition the Labour Party, said the Queen stood "not for what the nation fought over, but what it agreed upon".

He added although she stood as the head of our country, "in spirit, she stood amongst us".

Local tributes 

High Peak MP Robert Largan said he was "profoundly saddened" by the death of Her Majesty The Queen. 

He added in a tribute on Twitter: "She has been, in many ways, the one constant in all our lives. A grandmother to the entire nation. We are all Elizabethans. Her lifetime of dedication and service is unparalleled. We are all diminished by this loss. On behalf of everyone in the High Peak, I offer my deepest condolences to the Royal Family. God Save The King!" 

Denton MP Andrew Gwynne said Queen Elizabeth II "served us with unfailing dignity, honour and compassion" and she "remained a constant guiding light for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth". 

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds said Queen Elizabeth II was the "greatest public servant the country has ever known" and described her as "the nation's Nana" in a lengthy statement. 

“I am immeasurably moved to learn of the death of Her Majesty Elizabeth II," he wrote. "She was, without question, the greatest public servant ever known. But more than that, she was the nation’s Nana. She became both a symbol of national unity, and the surrogate parent or grandparent many British people have lost. That this deep personal affection extended even to people who would not always consider themselves monarchists was remarkable. We are feeling her loss together this evening. 

"Her Royal Highness was thrown into the highest possible office on the death of her beloved father, and her incredible life of service covers our whole lifetimes, and her steadfast leadership has steadied and buoyed up the UK through good times and bad. Public life is a huge privilege but it is also a daily challenge, and Her Majesty has executed her duties with grace, dedication and without complaint.

"It was my great privilege to meet her a decade ago on her visit to Parliament for her Diamond Jubilee, and to convey the very best wishes of constituents. She wanted to meet first term MPs and hear about our constituencies, and I just about overcame my nerves to tell her that we are a place full of people who work hard, have a strong local identity, and want the best for their children and families.

"I love to hear other local people’s stories of meeting Her Majesty too, from those lucky enough to attend garden parties to those who shook her hand on the royal tour that went past Hyde Town Hall in 1968.

"I am so glad the Her Majesty and the nation got to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee this year, and I was so proud that Mossley based Global Grooves had the opportunity to perform so beautifully in the official pageant.

"God bless you, Your Majesty. My thoughts are with her family, and all of us across the country, and the world, who mourn her loss.”

1 of 24

More Galleries

Hyde market
festy
Shrek
Tameside tributes to Queen Elizabeth II (1)

Share

Tameside Civic Mayor, Cllr Mike Glover, said: “After 70 years of selfless dedication to our country and the Commonwealth, I’m deeply saddened by the death of our Queen.

“As most of us, including myself, have never known a time without her, it seems scarcely credible she has left us. The sense of loss is personal. Although the Queen was head of state, she was such a constant presence in our lives that we all felt we knew her. That makes it so difficult to say goodbye.

“On her 21st birthday, in 1947, the Queen made a public promise saying: ‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.’ Her life was very long, but over the following years she fulfilled that vow in every way.

“Queen Elizabeth II was a truly remarkable woman. Even in her 90s she carried out her duties with a selfless devotion that was an inspiration to us all.

“At this very sad time I would like to extend my sympathies to the Royal Family on behalf of the people of Tameside. We mourn with them and share their grief.

“I am honoured to be leading the proclamation in Tameside and we pledge our support and loyalty to our new King as he assumes the duties so nobly carried out by his late mother.”


Civic Mayor of Tameside, Cllr Mike Glover 

Stalybridge South councillor Liam Billington posted on Twitter: "I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. May her example of service and duty shine down on all of us. May she rest in peace." 

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, deputy leader of High Peak Borough Council, wrote on Facebook: "I am deeply saddened at the peaceful death of Her Majesty The Queen. 

"As a nation we mourn a woman who gave her life in service to a nation. We thank her for her dignity, duty and service." 

Derbyshire Constabulary's Chief Constable Rachel Swann paid tribute, saying: "It is with deep sadness that we learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, who passed away at Balmoral this afternoon.

“Along with each police force across the country, Derbyshire Constabulary join in offering our condolences to the Royal Family and come together with the nation in mourning this sad news.”

The force also released a photograph taken on the visit of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at the opening of the Constabulary's Headquarters during the silver jubilee year of her reign on 28 July 1977.

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster said: "It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, following a lifetime of devoted public service.

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a role model for every citizen in Britain and indeed the Commonwealth and across the world, with an appeal that transcended generations. A symbol of dedication, loyalty and above all a patron of hard work, with such a strong sense of duty to her country. 

“Through times of strife and celebration, Queen Elizabeth II reigned with dignity and courage. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations. 

“Most of us have only known one Monarch in our lifetime and how fortunate we are that it has been Queen Elizabeth II. We will miss her authority and guidance.

“As a much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family at this difficult time.”

Dave Russel, Chief Fire Office, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "On behalf of my colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Royal Family following the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. Flags will be flown at half-mast at all GMFRS fire stations as a mark of respect to the Queen.

"The fire service will always be grateful to the Queen for when she paid a visit to our headquarters alongside the Duke of Edinburgh. Our long service firefighters are also appreciative for the recognition the Queen paid to them through the Long Service and Good Conduct Awards along with medals marking her Golden, Diamond and most recently Platinum Jubilee celebrations." 

Mark Fisher CBE, chief executive of NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: “It is with great sorrow that we have learned of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

“On behalf of the NHS in Greater Manchester, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and sincerest condolences to all the Royal Family. Throughout her life, Her Majesty the Queen served us all with unwavering loyalty, dedication and leadership; and her absence is something many of us will find difficult to accept.

“At this time, in addition to sharing a profound sense of loss, we recall with fondness the times we welcomed Her Majesty the Queen to Greater Manchester – opening new hospital wards, and the hand of friendship she extended to us after the Manchester Arena Attack. We were all moved by her visit and support to our city-region.

“We are honoured to have received such support from Her Majesty and will think of her visits with renewed warmth as we join the nation in mourning.”

Share

More from Tameside Reporter

Weather

  • Thu

    6°C

  • Fri

    6°C

  • Sat

    6°C

  • Sun

    7°C

  • Mon

    8°C