FOLLOWING the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II yesterday (Thursday), members of the Isle of Wight Council have paid tribute to Britain's longest reigning monarch.

The Queen died yesterday, aged 96, at Balmoral Castle.

In a statement released last night, the authority said councillors and officers were deeply saddened to learn of Her Majesty's death and extended their heartfelt condolences to members of the Royal Family at this time.

It said: "We remember with immense gratitude her lifetime of service to the country and Commonwealth, and her time spent on the Island.

"God Save The King."

The Isle of Wight Council has lowered the flags at County Hall to half-mast, where they will stay throughout the period of national mourning.

Chair of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Claire Critchison, said the Queen was a role model and influence in her life.

She said: "I have been in shock from the first call to say the Queen was poorly.

"However much you prepare for events of this kind you never expect it to happen.

"As many have said it is like losing your grandmother, a constant in our lives. Such a role model and influence in my life.

"She was so loved by so many and will be very missed.

"God Bless our glorious Queen."

Sandown South's Cllr Ian Ward paid tribute on Facebook and said: "God Bless Ma'am. You have been my Queen for 70 years, my life will never be the same."

Cllr Chris Jarman, cabinet member for strategic finance, transformational change and corporate resources, said he had the honour of assisting officers yesterday of lowering the flags at County Hall.

On Facebook, he said: "A sad duty and an opportunity to reflect on a lifetime of service by our late Queen Elizabeth II. God save the King."

Posting videos of the flags at County Hall, Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, cabinet member for business development, levelling up, tourism and regeneration said 'it's the strangest feeling to be grieving as a nation'.

Cllr Karl Love, deputy mayor of East Cowes, said the town's flags had been lowered in respect and gratitude for the service and duty of Her Majesty.

Last night, he said: "We are remembering and reflecting on our own personal feelings of a much loved Queen. She will be deeply missed."

Other councillors have paid tribute by posting photos and sharing the council's statement on their social media pages.

 

The council has asked anyone wishing to lay flowers in tribute to Her Majesty, should do so at Church Litten in Newport.

Signs are in place to advise where tributes can be laid and the council asks they are removed from any cellophane wrappings.