Suffolk remembers the Queen
Her Majesty has died at the age of 96
Last updated 9th Sep 2022
The Royal Family has confirmed Her Majesty the Queen has died at the age of 96.
The families official twitter account confirmed the news saying she died peacefully at Balmoral.
Officials then brought a notice confirming the Queen’s death to the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Since the announcement tributes have been pouring in from across Suffolk.
MPs were among those to lead messages of support for the Royal Family.
Whilst West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock issued this statement: "I am deeply saddened by the news that Her Majesty The Queen has died. The Queen has been a rock of stability for our nation, and the world, throughout her 70 years on the throne. Queen Elizabeth II embodied so much of our shared history and she represented our great nation to the world. Her service, dedication and duty have inspired us all. My thoughts and prayers are with The Royal Family at this time of national mourning. The Queen's death is not just a loss for this great country but the world. May she rest in peace."
It wasn't just politicians paying tribute, councils and other leaders from across Suffolk have also been offering their messages of condolence.
Suffolk Police was among those to post online.
Tim Passmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk paid his respects: "The announcement of the death of Her Majesty The Queen is received with great sadness. All of us in Suffolk are united in grief at the passing of our nations’ longest ever serving monarch.
"The Queen’s long reign is an extraordinary example of unstinting commitment and dedication, particularly during times of national and international difficulties.
"Her work across the United Kingdom, The Commonwealth and many other nations of the world is second to none and has been a powerful force for the greater good of us all.
"We send our thoughts and prayers to the whole Royal Family. She will be sorely missed, and we are all eternally grateful for all she has accomplished."
Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk Lady Clare, Countess of Euston said: " Yesterday evening we heard the news that has been dreaded for so long.
“The beating heart of our great nation has been silenced.
“Our grief is beyond all imagining.
“The whole world has lost an incomparable Queen and woman, a leader for all time.
“The whole world stands with its flags at half-mast.
“In our beloved Suffolk, a county the Queen had such a great affection for, we are completely devastated.”
The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, expressed his deep sorrow at the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
Bishop Martin said: "We send our sincere condolences to her family. Her Majesty visited the Diocese on a number of occasions during her reign, and during each visit the warmth of feeling the people had for her was clear. I know she had a particular affection for Suffolk.
"Through her decades of devotion to her role and to the people of the Commonwealth she has given us all remarkable focus of constancy and stability, and an example of self-giving service. She was always clear how her Christian faith was at the heart of this, and how she found in her faith strength, fortitude and hope.
"She was a wonderful ambassador for Britain and an example to us all. I know people will want to pay their own personal tributes to someone who has been a part of this great country’s fabric for so many years.
"Books of condolence have been opened across the churches in our Diocese. As a mark of respect for Her Majesty the Queen, flags on all churches are also being flown at half-mast.
"Her family are much in our prayers, and in particular we hold His Majesty the King in our prayers as he accedes to the throne.”
Arrangements have been made to enable members of the public to lay floral tributes at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
The Dean of St Edmundsbury, The Very Reverend Joe Hawes, said: "As a nation and Commonwealth we begin to come to terms today with the loss of The Queen, who has been for the vast majority of us a point of stability and fidelity throughout our lives.
"As we give thanks for Her Majesty’s 70 years of love and service for her people, we commit her to the arms of the God whose love has been her mainstay, and we pledge our loyalty and service as Church and Nation to His Majesty the King."
Queen Elizabeth II - A life in pictures
Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth with the new born Princess Elizabeth
Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) was born on 21st April 1926 in Mayfair, London.
Queen Elizabeth II as a baby
In October 1926 this rare photo of the young Princess Elizabeth was released.
The Queen has been a fan of corgis from an early age
Princess Elizabeth walking a Corgi in London's Hyde Park.
Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth enjoyed acting when they were younger
Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth act in the pantomime of Cinderella at Windsor Castle.
Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret gave a radio broadcast
On 10th October 1940 Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret made a broadcast to the children of the Empire during World War II.
Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on their wedding day
Princess Elizabeth, and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh on their wedding day, 20th November 1947.
Princess Elizabeth poses with her newborn Prince Charles
Prince Charles was Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh's first child, born on 14th November 1948.
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
The newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth II waves to the crowd from the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Her children Prince Charles and Princess Anne stood with her. The coronation took place on 2nd June 1953.
Queen Elizabeth II presents the Jules Rimet trophy to Bobby Moore
Queen Elizabeth II smiles after presenting England Captain Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet trophy, after England won the 1966 World Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Silver Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by crowds in London during celebrations of her Silver Jubilee on 7th June 1977.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Golden Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, ride along the Mall in an open top car on their way to watch a parade in celebration of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
In 2007, the Queen became the UK longest reigning monarch
In December 2007, Queen Elizabeth became the longest-living British monarch, breaking her great-great-grandmother's (Queen Victoria) previous record.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Diamond Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II greets schoolchildren in Victoria Square during her Diamond Jubilee visit to Birmingham in 2012.
The Queen celebrated her 90th birthday in 2016
10,000 guests gathered on The Mall for a lunch to celebrate The Queen's Patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
The lunch was part of a weekend of celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday and 63-year reign.
Sapphire Jubilee celebrations in 2017
In 2017, the Queen became the first monarch to celebrate their Sapphire Jubilee. It was marked by a 62 round royal gun salute from the Gun Wharf outside the Tower of London with Tower Bridge.
Prince Philip dies aged 99
After more than 70 years of marriage together, Prince Philip sadly passed away in April 2021. The Queen attended his funeral at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and had to social distance due to Covid-19 restrictions which were in place at the time.
Queen Elizabeth celebrates Platinum Jubilee
To celebrate her 70 years on the throne, Platinum Jubilee celebrations took place in June 2022. The celebrations included a Platinum Party at the Palace show on 4th June, festivals, as well as street parties over the long weekend. The celebration is extra special as Her Majesty was the longest reigning British monarch and is the only one to have ever celebrated a Platinum Jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth sadly passed away on September 8th 2022 in Balmoral Castle. Royal Family members such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well as Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex reportedly travelled to Balmoral after Queen was placed under medical supervision earlier that day. Her funeral is due to take place on September 19th.