TRIBUTES have been paid to The Queen who passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace announced the news in a statement and added The King and The Queen Consort would remain at Balmoral this evening and would be returning to London tomorrow.
Earlier today, it was revealed The Queen’s doctors were concerned for her health and recommended she remained under medical supervision at her Scottish home.
Members of the Royal Family, including The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne all journeyed up to Scotland to be with her.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history and her Platinum Jubilee was marked in the UK and around the World earlier this year.
Tributes have been paid to The Queen for across Redditch and Worcestershire.
‘Time of deep sadness’ – Redditch Borough Council
Chief Executive Kevin Dicks, said the councillors and officers were ‘deeply saddened’ and their thoughts went out to the Royal Family at this time.
“We know that the residents of Redditch Borough will want to share their condolences, memories and tributes to The Queen as a sign of mourning.
“Appropriate arrangements have been made for a condolence book, floral tributes, and ceremonial events to take place over the coming days.
“God bless The Queen; may she rest in peace.”
Mayor of Redditch, Coun Ann Isherwood added: “On behalf of the council and residents of Redditch Borough, I would like to share my heartfelt sympathies for the Royal Family at this sad time.
“We are shocked and upset by the loss of our Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll, may she rest in peace.”
She urged the community to come together and added: “Council staff are currently working hard to make appropriate arrangements for a condolence book, floral tributes and ceremonial events which will take place in the next few days.
“I know I will see many of you there to pay your respects as we share in this time of mourning together.
“The passing of Her Majesty the Queen is a great loss to our country.”
The Union Flag will be flown at half-mast and a book of condolence will be opened at the Town Hall for the community to share their feelings at this sad time.
Floral tributes can be left on the Bandstand at Church Green.
Further details of other arrangements will be added to the council’s website as and when they are confirmed.
Leader of Redditch Labour Group, Coun Joe Baker, said: “On behalf of the Redditch Labour Group I would like to offer my condolences to the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty The Queen, may she rest in peace.
“Our thoughts are now with King Charles III as he leads the nation in mourning.”
‘Remarkable legacy ‘ – Worcestershire’s Royal representative
The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Lt Col Patrick Holcroft CVO OBE, said: “On behalf of the county and people of Worcestershire, I offer our heartfelt condolences to Your Majesty and to the wider Royal Family at this time of profound national grief.
“We share a deep sense of loss with all in the United Kingdom and abroad as we remember with great pride and affection Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose steadfast commitment and dedication to country and Commonwealth have demonstrated an unparalleled example of constancy, duty and service before self, throughout her uniquely long and illustrious reign.
“The nation has been transformed from a victorious yet war-weary imperial power into the modern, outward-looking country of today – and her part in that transformation has been simply immeasurable.
“Her late Majesty’s remarkable legacy at home and abroad will endure and she will continue to command the deepest respect, affection, admiration and gratitude of us all.”
‘The Queen fulfilled her promise’ – Worcestershire County Council chairman
Coun Chris Rogers, Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, said: “It is with great sadness that I offer my condolences, on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, to the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
“At this sad time, I am reminded of her words in 1947 and the promise she went on to fulfil, when she said, ‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong’.”
As a mark of respect, flags are being flown at half-mast at County Hall and other public buildings across the county. A book of condolence is available online for everyone to sign to show their respects.”
‘She was part of our lives’ – West Midlands Ambulance Service Chair
West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust Chair, Prof Ian Cumming, OBE said: “Her Majesty The Queen has been a part of all of our lives during her reign spanning 70 years and has had an enormous impact on our country for the past seven decades.
“For our staff, this is indeed a sad day and one that will make us all reflect on the extraordinary life that she has led.”
WMAS Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, added: “We are all deeply saddened to hear that Her Majesty The Queen has passed away.
“We join the rest of the country and people across the world in sending our condolences to the Royal Family at this time of immense and profound grief for our nation.”
‘The Queen showed humanity, humility and strength’ – Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
Chief Fire Officer, Jon Pryce, and the Chair of the Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority, Coun Kit Taylor, offer their sincere condolences on the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
“It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. On behalf of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, we offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family.
“Throughout her entire life, Her Majesty was known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service; we are indebted to Her Majesty The Queen for her humanity, humility and the strength she showed throughout her life.
“We would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to her life and service.”
’70 years of dedicated service’ – West Mercia Police
In a statement, the force said: “All officers, staff and volunteers at West Mercia Police are deeply saddened by the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who dedicated over 70 years of her life to service.
“We join the nation in mourning during this very sad time.”
‘Her memory will live on’ – PCC John Campion
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion also said he was ‘deeply saddened’ and passed on his condolences to the Royal Family.
“Throughout her 70-yer reign, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has exemplified public service.
“As our longest-serving monarch, she has remained a shining beacon of stability, leadership and comfort to the country.
“Her memory will live on and she will continue to be an inspiration to us all.
“I know communities across West Mercia will share my feeling of sadness and, through our mourning, I hope will all take the time to remember her steadfast service to the country.”
‘She has been our country’s rock.’ – Redditch MP Rachel Maclean
Rachel Maclean, MP for Redditch, said: “Like my constituents I can’t begin to put into words the sadness and sorrow I feel as we mourn the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This deep sense of loss we all feel will remain with us for some time.
“When I reflect on what the life of the Queen represents to me personally I have always been inspired by her lifetime of service and her undying faith in God.
“It has been a true honour to swear the oath of allegiance as a Member of Parliament to our magnificent Sovereign Queen. I know she has similarly inspired billions of people around the world.
“For most of us alive today we have only known a time when The Queen has been on the throne. She has been the one constant in all of our lives. She has been our country’s rock. It’s that loss we’re feeling today.
“As we reflect on this magnificent Elizabethan age, we remember Her Majesty as the living embodiment of British values. For 70 years she has also been a shining light, a beacon of hope, decency, duty and respect for the whole world
“I pray for Her Majesty’s eternal rest and my thoughts and prayers are with her family.
“God Save King Charles III.”
‘May she rest in peace’ – Coun Ann Isherwood
Mayor of Redditch, Coun Ann Isherwood said: “As Mayor, on behalf of the council and residents of Redditch Borough, I would like to share my heartfelt sympathies for the Royal Family at this sad time. We are shocked and upset by the loss of our Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth ll, may she rest in peace.
“I urge those who wish to share the burden of this loss to look out for details of arrangements, which will be released shortly, so that we can all do this as a community.
“Council staff are currently working hard to make appropriate arrangements for a condolence book, floral tributes and ceremonial events which will take place in the next few days. I know I will see many of you there to pay your respects as we share in this time of mourning together.
“The passing of Her Majesty the Queen is a great loss to our country.”
