Political leaders have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after Buckingham Palace announced her passing at 6.30pm on Thursday (September 8) afternoon.
Elizabeth II, 96, was the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, serving as head of state for more than 70 years.
In a statement, the Palace said: “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.”
Read more: The Queen has died aged 96 Buckingham Palace has announced
Prime Minister Liz Truss led tributes shortly after 7pm as she stepped out of Number 10 Downing Street wearing black.
She said: “We are all devastated by the news that we have just heard from Blamoral.
“The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a huge shock to the nation and to the world.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement to have presided with such dignity and grace for 70 years. Her life of service stretched beyond most of our living memories.
“In return she was loved and admired by the people in the United Kingdom and all around the world.
“She has been a personal inspiration to me and to many Britons – her devotion to duty is an example to us all.”
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribubte to Queen Elizabeth, saying: “We will always treasure Queen Elizabeth II’s life of service and devotion to our nation and the Commonwealth; our longest-serving and greatest monarch.
“Above the clashes of politics, she stood not for what the nation fought over, but what it agreed upon. As Britain changed rapidly around her, this dedication became the still point of our turning world.
“So as our great Elizabethan era comes to an end, we will honour the late Queen’s memory by keeping alive the values of public service she embodied.
“For seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II stood as the head of our country. But, in spirit, she stood amongst us.”
Previous Prime Ministers John Major and Tony Blair also paid their respects as North East political figures paid tribute to the monarch.
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Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen expressed his “heartbreak” at the news of the Queen’s passing.
He said: “I am heartbroken to hear of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. As our nation mourns, my thoughts are with the King, the Queen Consort, Prince William and the rest of the Royal Family at this moment.
“The Queen has been the beating heart of our nation for 70 years and her life of noble service is the guiding light for her subjects across the United Kingdom and her beloved Commonwealth.
“Since ascending to the throne The Queen was a constant for millions of people here at home and across the globe in an ever-changing world. Her passing will leave a void in all our hearts.
“On her 21st birthday Her Majesty devoted her life to selfless service in the national interest, a commitment that she steadfastly stood by for the rest of her magnificent life.
“The United Kingdom has lost an extraordinary public servant. Today our nation is united in sadness and grief.”
Andy McDonald, Middlesbrough MP
Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, said: “I send my deepest condolences to the Royal Family.
The nation will mourn the passing of our longest serving Monarch who dedicated her life to public service. Her reign has been a constant for generations and she has been loved and respected by people around the globe.
The Queen was not just the Head of State, she was a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and she will be hugely missed.”
Jacob Young, Redcar MP
Redcar Conservative MP Jacob Young said: “The nation is in mourning at the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
“Around the world, Britain is admired because of her service to our country and to the Commonwealth.
"During her reign, the Queen's sense of duty and devotion to a life of service has been a constant pillar of stability through periods of enormous social change, and many of the most significant chapters in our nation's history.
“As well as our monarch, she was a mother and a grandmother, and I know people across Redcar & Cleveland will join me in offering our sincere condolences to the entire Royal Family.
"Today we mourn and express our deepest gratitude for the truly remarkable reign of Elizabeth II.”
Kim McGuinness, Police and Crime Commissioner
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner added her tributes saying: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II devoted her entire life to this country and the commonwealth. She’s been there in times of celebration and provided stability in darker days. The Queen was loved the world over, she commanded respect and brought our nation endless pride.
“The duty, commitment and integrity with which she approached public service is an inspiration to us all. She really was an incredible woman.
“As a nation we will come together to celebrate her life and we will all mourn her passing, but we should not forget how difficult this time will be for the Queen’s family, friends and those close to her. My thoughts and best wishes remain with them.”
Peter Gibson, Darlington MP
Darlington MP Peter Gibson said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of our beloved Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
“I know that the people of Darlington, and indeed across the United Kingdom will be deeply saddened by this news. The Queen has served our nation over the last seventy years with honour, duty and integrity.
“Her Majesty’s incredible legacy of service to her people will live on throughout the decades to come, both here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.
“On behalf of the people of Darlington, I send my heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family at this time.”
Darlington Mayor, Anne-Marrie Curry
Gibson was joined by Darlington Mayor Anne-Marie Curry who said: "I was greatly saddened to hear the news of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. My thoughts and those of my family are with the new King Charles III, the Queen Consort and the wider Royal Family at this sad time.
“It will take some time for us all to process this loss, as while very few of us had the opportunity to meet Her Majesty in person, she touched all of our lives in one way or another over the years. We will always remember her enormous contribution to our country.”
Read next:
- 50 pictures of The Queen in the North East as Buckingham Palace announces her death
- The Queen dies aged 96, what happens now? ‘Operation Unicorn’ explained
- Queen dies: Tributes and reaction as The Palace confirms the death of our monarch
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