Dignitaries, organisations and businesses from across the Isle of Wight have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II this evening (Thursday) following her death at the age of 96.
As guardians of Shanklin, firefighters gathered to pay respect to Her Majesty as the Union Flag was set to half-mast outside Shanklin Fire Station this evening. Other fire stations and Police stations have also lowered their flags.
Flags have been set to half-mast outside County Hall in Newport.
Susie Sheldon, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the Isle of Wight, said:
“I am sure that all Islanders will wish to join me and my husband Jamie as we mourn the passing of our much loved and respected Queen Elizabeth, the only Monarch most of us have known.
“Her Majesty will be deeply missed, not only by the people of the United Kingdom and within her beloved Commonwealth, but also right across the World. We acknowledge, and are grateful for, her influence on so many aspects of our lives and for the selfless example of duty and service she has set for each and every one of us.
“It will be my privilege to represent the whole of our Island community at the State Funeral as we give thanks for her life.
“The whole Royal Family is in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time and to our new Sovereign, Charles, as we pledge our allegiance to His Majesty as he becomes our King.
“God save the King”.
Bob Seely MP has said:
“We are all profoundly sad to hear of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. She was our head of state, our Queen, and a remarkable and unique figure.
“I know that many people, including the many tens of thousands who have met her, will feel deeply upset by her passing. Truly, it is the end of an era. However, we should also be thankful for her life and her life of service; to the Island, our nation and the Commonwealth. May she rest in peace.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family. God Save the King.”
The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, has said:
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II served our nation with integrity, devotion and wisdom. Living faith in Jesus Christ gave her a spiritual compass in daily life and provided a source of steady inspiration for many within the Church, Nation and Commonwealth. On this day in which sadness and thanksgiving join hands, I pray with heartfelt gratitude for her life and faithful service.
“Her Majesty’s death will be deeply felt by very many and perhaps especially by her family. Conscious of the widespread public attention they will receive, we pray today that the Royal Family may know the consolation of Christ’s love in their loss.”
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council has said on behalf of the local authority:
“The councillors and officers of the Isle of Wight Council are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty, the Queen and extend their heartfelt condolences to members of the Royal Family at this time.
“We remember with immense gratitude her lifetime of service to the country and the Commonwealth, and her time spent on the Island.
“Flags at County Hall have been set to half-mast where they will remain throughout the national period of mourning”.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, has said:
“It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the death of our Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth ll.
“Her Majesty the Queen gave a lifetime of service to our country and I wish to send my condolences to the Royal Family at this very sad time.
“Many people in our communities proudly serve the Monarch, including serving in the Royal Navy, the British Army and the RAF based here in Hampshire.
“This is a time for us to reflect on Her Majesty’s dedication to our kingdom and how she inspired unity, dignity, and leadership. She touched the lives of multiple generations as one of the longest serving Monarch’s in history.
“This is a national time of mourning and reflection for people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and around the world.
“As Commissioner, I will be supporting Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary, as servants to the Crown, to support communities in mourning and the coming together to mark this historic moment.”
Chair of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor 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.”
r.i.p Queen Elizebeth, you were always there for millions of us, you actually cared about community, you were the real thing, Our English Rose…God save the king..
OBSOLUTELY NO-ONE can say they dedicated their lives to the service of the Country and Commonwealth as a whole as her Majesty the Queen had done!
Where on the island can we lay tribute flowers to the queen, Osborne House or Carisbrook Castle?
I lit a candle in respect for her last night. I am sure the Queen would love the idea of flowers but also she would appreciate not having them due to the financial difficulties at present – she was that type of person. I will continue to light a candle until her funeral at St Pauls. But the choice is yours.
Any list of events happening on the Island available somewhere?
Totally agree. Time to abolish the outdated monarchy. We will now appoint a totally corrupt king who accepts suitcases full of cash for giving out honours.
D*ckhead
You won’t be missed.
Royalist or Anti-Royalist you have to admire her longevity as Sovereign leader of the Commonwealth. Putting personal opinion of the monarchy aside, we have to respect and acknowledge the fact a family have lost a mother, grandmother etc…
Who would of thought it, a new Monarch and Prime Minister in the same week ( I bet that’s an historical first?)
I trust that you would prefer a leader of this Country like Kim Jong-Un or Putin instead .
Sadly over the last 12 months every week there are over 1,000 excess Deaths in the UK and around the world, and no one mentions this in Government.
R.I.P Queen Elizabeth