“Our loss is incalculable" - Dorset Council leaders pay tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen sadly passed away this Thursday
Last updated 9th Sep 2022
Council leaders in Dorset have paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away peacefully at Balmoral this Thursday (8 September), at the age of 96.
Her Majesty was on the throne for 70 years and was the longest reigning monarch in British history.
Angus Campbell, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Dorset, said:
“The country is in deep mourning following the loss of Her Majesty. All our thoughts are with the members of the Royal Family at this most difficult time.
“Whilst still a Princess, on her twenty-first birthday, Her Majesty broadcast a declaration to the country and the Commonwealth which included the words:
'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.'
“Those words encapsulate the love, service and pure strength of character with which Her Majesty has led the monarchy of Great Britain and the Commonwealth over her extraordinary seventy-year reign. It is so special to see the words of a twenty-one-year-old Princess so perfectly foreshadowing her long life of dedicated service to us all.
“We have all lost a unique, loving and determined Monarch who has, over seventy years, not only delivered the extraordinary, devoted service and support she promised at such an early age, but given us so very much more besides.
“Our loss is incalculable.”
The news of the Queen's passing came following an announcement by Buckingham Palace that she was under medical supervision, at Balmoral, yesterday.
Later that day, Buckingham Palace announced the Queen had sadly passed away.
"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."
Councillor Val Pothecary, Chairman of Dorset Council, said:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and the country as we mourn the loss of Her Majesty, and I would like to offer them our heartfelt condolences.
"We give thanks for her wonderful life and years of devotion to serving the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. She has been an inspiration to us all.”
Books of condolence and flowers
Following the announcement of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, an online book of condolence has been made available on the Buckingham Palace website.
Books of condolence will also be available during opening hours at County Hall in Dorchester and in all Dorset libraries, for those whishing to pay their respects to the Monarch.
A spokesperson for Dorset Council has invited people to leave flowers at the Memorial Corner to the front of County Hall, Dorchester:
"They will remain in place until 5pm on the day after the funeral of Her Majesty.
"In the event of continued inclement weather, they may be removed earlier. We ask that any flowers are unwrapped, and no non-compostable items are used.