Bristol in mourning over death of Queen Elizabeth II
Prominent Bristolians, officials, companies and sports teams have been paying their respects
People across Bristol are paying their respects after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace announced her passing early this evening (September 8), saying she died "peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon".
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will remain at Balmoral tonight before returning to London on Friday.
Tributes have been flooding in from all over, including from the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, the monarch's official representative in the city.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, and I know the people of Bristol will join me in sending our thoughts and condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time," Lord Lieutenant Peaches Golding said.
“Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch in the history of England and dedicated her life to our country and the Commonwealth.
"Throughout her reign, she had an ambitious schedule of royal tours and state visits around the world, and I had great admiration for her devotion to the role as she continued a full programme of engagements even into her later years.
“Her Majesty has gracefully and graciously ensured the country navigated through enormous changes, spanning from her youth in the Army during World War II, the formation and development of The Commonwealth, the joining and leaving of the European Union, the increased diversity of the population through the administrations of 14 Prime Ministers.
"For virtually everyone in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, she is the only monarch we have known.”
Councillor Paula O’Rourke, the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol, has also paid her respects.
“The whole of Bristol joins the rest of the country and the Commonwealth in mourning the death of Her Majesty," she said.
“Along with her lifetime of dedicated service she will be greatly remembered for her commitment to supporting charities, many of which have benefited our own residents.”
The emergency services have also commented, with Avon and Somerset Police saying its officers are "extremely saddened" to hear of the Queen's passing.
The Avon Fire and Rescue Service and South Western Ambulance Service have also made similar statements.
In sport, Bristol City Football Club has turned its social media accounts black as a mark of respect, while saying the thoughts of everyone at the club are with the Royal Family "and everyone around the world mourning the loss of Her Majesty".
Bristol Bears, who are owned by the same parent group as Bristol City, has done the same, as have Bristol Rovers and Gloucestershire Country Cricket Club, which called the news "desperately sad".
Bristol Bears are due to begin their Premiership Rugby campaign against Bath on Friday night, but that has now been thrown into doubt as a mourning period will commence now to be observed across the country.
The Proclamation of the new Monarch will be read in front of the fountains on College Green at a date to be confirmed.
Anyone wishing to lay floral tributes in memory of The Queen are asked that you lay them at the West End of Bristol Cathedral.
Books of condolence will also be available at City Hall and Bristol Cathedral alongside a Bristol e-book, and a national e-book of condolence.