"I had a Queen and she was the most beautiful Queen in the world and she sustained me - her image, her icon," said Isle of Wight resident Felicity Steenberg, as she explained why she felt it was important to mark the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away, aged 96, on September 8.
An announcement was made soon after members of the Royal Family had rushed to Balmoral, Scotland, where The Queen had been under 'medical supervision' for a number of hours.
Her death was formally announced in the traditional way - with a sign on the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Since then, the country has been observing a period of State Mouring.
Islanders have been among those to make journeys to the capital, to see for themselves the tributes, to share in grief and to celebrate a life.
Among them, Iain Mckie made the trip to London. He said "I think this picture says it all. To be honest, I cannot describe my feelings.
"The Queen was the Captain General of my regiment and I believe the Royal Family provide a form of solidity and continuity."
Queen Elizabeth II acceded the throne in 1952, upon the death of her father, King George VI.
Together with her late husband Prince Philip, Duke of York, who died aged 99, in April 2021, the pair visited the Island and enjoyed links to Cowes Week and the Royal Yacht Squadron.
In February 1952, Islanders gathered to hear the Proclamation of a new Monarch - Queen Elizabeth II - in Newport, outside the Guildhall.
Among them was Peter Woodnutt, 81, who turned out again, last weekend, to hear King Charles III proclaimed.
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He said: "I felt I had to be here, because I was here 70 years ago, to hear 'the late King is dead, long live the Queen.'
"We all came along in 1952 and heard it, and then went back to school.
"I thought, there's not many people standing here today that are going to be able to say that."
Just three years earlier, in 1949, newsreels captured the then Princess and her Prince sailing off Cowes.
Two years married, British Pathe footage shows them on board the yacht 'Fanny Rosa'.
They are also filmed on the Dragon class boat, Bluebottle. It was a wedding gift from the town's Island Sailing Club.
It was on July 26, 1965, when the Isle of Wight turned out to show how much it loved the Queen: from greeting crowds on Ryde beach, a drive through the town, to a bunting-covered theatre; from meeting officials from Ryde Town Council, including Edward Minghella, who was presented to the couple and was photographed wearing his official robes of office; to Ventnor Park, to meet Brownies and Guides.
Long-term Girlguiding Isle of Wight member, Suzanne Whitewood, was among there because she was Ventnor’s first Queen’s Guide.
The following day, she was at Carisbrooke Castle, for the installation of Lord Louis Mountbatten, as Isle of Wight governor.
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For Suzanne, like many others, 1965's Royal visit ensured lifelong memories were made.
There was a walk in the shadow of Shanklin's cliff lift, a stop to watch a procession of carnival queens, at Sandown Bay Regatta.
In Yarmouth, the Queen unveiled a plaque on the town hall.
Since her death, dignitaries have been leading the tributes.
The Isle of Wight's Lord Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon, who will represent the Island at today's state funeral, and High Sheriff Kay Marriott, tasked with reading the proclamation, have been among them.
Their sentiments - that the Queen was much loved and much missed - has been echoed by scores of Islanders.
Speaking to the County Press, Ruth Chambers said: "The Queen was always there.
Quietly in the background, you knew she was there."
Ruth's mum watched the 1953 coronation.
You will surely have seen the hundreds of flowers - from Church Litten to Osborne.
These poignant, simple messages, 'To my Queen', are a token of affection for the only official head of state many of us have ever known.
In June 2012, the Isle of Wight joined celebrations to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
On July 25, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, visited Cowes - part of their celebratory tour of the United Kingdom.
Working their way past crowds of well-wishers on the Parade, the Royal couple were shown around the newly opened Cowes RNLI station.
A choir from Cowes Primary School performed a song.
Michelin-starred chef Robert Thompson presented a hamper of Isle of Wight’s best produce - along with one for the corgis.
Throwback to when our chef patron @RThompsonIOW had the great honour of introducing Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to the delights of Isle of Wight produce in Cowes on 25 July 2012 during Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee celebrations in Cowes. pic.twitter.com/z05XvKdpxT
— Sara Curran at North House (@SaraCurranNH) September 9, 2022
Isle of Wight Studio Glass's Timothy Harris presented a commemorative glass bowl.
Of course, the Queen did not have to be on the Island make a difference to the lives of Islanders.
Countless businesses and charities have been proud to have won a Queen's Award.
Among them, Aspire Ryde's CEO Trevor Nicholas told the County Press: "All of us at Aspire were so sad to hear of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
"We are, and will always be, proud to have been awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
"We have also been thankful for the support of the Royal Family in recent years through visits and letters of encouragement and they are in our prayers at this time.
"The Queen's life was one of service and dedication, demonstrating her deeply held faith through action.
"We give thanks for her life at this time and she will continue to be an inspiration for the work that we do."
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- There were Islanders at garden parties, and those who were bestowed with honours.
Shanklin's Richard Priest, was there in Sandown in 1965 and, in 2010, found himself in front of the Queen again, as he received his OBE.
He said: "She touched so many people's lives."
The Queen's links to the armed forces will also be much missed by Islanders.
Isle of Wight Councillor Ian Dore, who was at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year, snapping a picture of the Queen on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, told us:"The nation has lost the constant hand of reassurance, that was unflinching in support and immeasurable with devotion. Her Majesty demonstrated compassion and sage continuity, whilst injecting humour and humility with everything she did.
"As the Colonel in Chief of the Armed Forces, those of us who have served and for those currently serving, have lost 'our boss'.
"For those that haven't worn the boots, hand on heart I can say there is a deep feeling of personal loss to us all.
"In my lifetime and my probably my children, we will never see another Queen."
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Royal support, or not, it would be hard to deny the impact the Queen has had on all our lives.
A patron of the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Queen also inspired trees to be planted here - through the Queen's Green Canopy Project, which has now been further extended - a lasting legacy for a woman whose 70 year reign touched lives on the Isle of Wight, across the UK and around the World.
Whether you enjoyed street parties and picnics, put up the bunting and watched the Island's Shademakers and Jivers, in June's celebratory procession through London; whether you brought flowers and flags to wave when the Queen crossed the Solent; whether you shared a love of sailing; whether you are so entirely familiar with the Queen's profile, on coins and stamps; or if you simply stopped to notice the flags at half mast, the death if Queen Elizabeth II has been and continues to be a shared moment in history.
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Shademakers' Lily George and Joe Plumb in Spring 2022.
- Coverage of The Queen's funeral starts at around 10.30am this morning (Monday).
- While may venues are closed, others are opening to allow Islanders to watch together and share the moment.
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