Summary

  • We've been sharing your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II following her death aged 96

  • You've told us what she meant to you, moments you remember from her life and your stories of meeting the UK's longest-reigning monarch

  • On Monday, the nation paid a final farewell to the Queen, with a state funeral and military procession

  • Our tributes page has been a reminder that hundreds of thousands of us felt a personal connection with the Queen, says BBC Media and Arts Correspondent David Sillito

  • "She made you feel as if you were important at that moment in her life," says Simone Kennett, who was head teacher of a school when it was visited by the Queen

  • We'll be preserving this page so people in the UK and around the world can continue to read the tributes so many of you have left for the Queen

Live Reporting

  1. Thank you for helping us remember the Queen

    Deborah Turness
    CEO, BBC News and Current Affairs

    As the Chief Executive of BBC News I have the honour to write the closing message on this page of thousands of tributes to Queen Elizabeth II. And it’s a message of thanks to every single person who has taken the time to share their story.

    When the death of Queen Elizabeth was announced, we at the BBC wanted to create a place where people could come together to share their tributes, their photos and recollections.

    The response has been incredible. We have received thousands of touching stories of meeting the Queen, special moments, memories and messages of condolence.

    Thank you to everyone - from all over the world - for coming together here in this virtual space for very real acts a of remembrance.

    Looking at the contributions, the common theme that emerges is that the Queen had a way of making each person she met feel like the most important person in that moment.

    Thank you again for helping us remember a woman whose promise to serve her people was fulfilled through a life of duty, which touched so many people.

  2. 'No-one forgets a conversation with the Queen'

    The Queen meeting a young boygett

    Over the past 10 days, we've been asking you to share your memories of seeing and meeting Queen Elizabeth II or to send in your personal tributes.

    Thousands of people have sent their own messages of condolence.

    "The stories speak to how many people felt a personal connection to Her Majesty," says BBC Media and Arts Correspondent David Sillito.

    "It reminds us that, while the official record of the life of the Queen will be a series of great moments of national pageantry, those were rare special occasions.

    "Her life was much more about handshakes, birthday cards and meeting ordinary, but often remarkable, people.

    "No-one forgets a conversation with the Queen. And our tributes page has been a little reminder that for hundreds of thousands of us, the Queen was more than a distant figure in a palace. She was someone with whom they felt a personal connection."

    You can read more from David on the tributes here.

  3. 'She always has been incredibly kind to everybody'

    Sibella Laing went to Cambridge University with King Charles III, has known the Royal Family since she was a child and has met the Queen.

    Sibella LaingSibella Laing

    She was, is, and always has been, incredibly kind to everybody, always anxious to put people at their ease, always anxious to make you feel you are the only person in the room.

    I’m sure this huge support across the country that Charles must have been seeing will have been really inspirational and uplifting for him. He has had the Queen as a wonderful role model all his life and I think in a sense his whole life has been preparation for this, so I think he is ready for it."

    Sibella Laing

  4. One of the oldest people in the queue?

    Dinkie Flowers in the queue to pay her respects to Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall.Lesley Tomlinson

    Dinkie Flowers in the queue to pay her respects to Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall

    Dinkie Flowers (nee Stapleton), aged 101, queued for several hours on Saturday to pay her respects to Queen Elizabeth II. Dinkie, who lives in Shoreham-by-Sea is holding a letter she received from Buckingham Palace 70 years ago thanking her for her performance in the Celebrity Ice Show at Queens Ice Dance Club on 30 April 1952. Dinkie entertained other members of the public in the queue with some of her memorabilia including the card from Her Majesty for her 100th birthday in 2021.

    Lesley Tomlinson, Dinkie's hairdresser

  5. Ghana pupils watch funeral - and write condolence messages

    Children at Legon Hills International School watch the Queen's funeralLegon Hills International School

    In Ghana students at Legon Hills International School paid tribute to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her funeral. The school held a special assembly reflecting her long reign. Pupils also wrote heartfelt condolence messages, while the little ones watched the Paddington film.

    Akua Agyemang, Founder of Legon Hills Internatonal School, Ghana

    Table full of the children's handwritten messsagesLegon Hills International School

    The children wrote messages of farewell to the Queen

  6. 'The Queen belonged in Windsor'

    Marie Wood and Lee Stabler

    Marie came to Windsor for the Queen's funeral with her friend Lee Stabler

    Marie Wood, 56, lived in Windsor for eight years when she was training to be a nurse and saw the Queen one day while out for a walk.

    Marie came to Windsor for the Queen's funeral on Monday, watching the procession from the Long Walk.

    I was walking in Great Park and she drove her Land Rover further up. I was just gobsmacked.

    We always felt that she belonged here. This was her home. I am glad that she is in Windsor now, this was her favourite place. She will be missed."

    Marie Wood

  7. Travelling from Italy to deliver a special portrait of the Queen

    Frances King shows the portrait of the Queen drawn by her sonFrances King

    Frances came from Italy to leave a portrait of the Queen drawn by her son Alex

    I have been living in Italy for the last 22 years. My son, Alex (13) drew this portrait of the Queen and I asked him if he wanted me to take it to London so I could leave it as a tribute for the Queen. He said yes.

    On Saturday I got on a plane from Verona to come especially to leave the portrait before the funeral. Yesterday I took the 5.20am train from Havant to London and I left his portrait in Green Park. The policemen were very kind to take it for me as the park had already closed for laying flowers."

    Frances King

  8. 'She made you feel as if you were important'

    Simone Kennett was head teacher of Jersey College for Girls when the Queen visited to open a new building in 2001.

    Her Majesty officially opening a new building at Jersey College for Girls in 2001

    The Queen said we had a beautiful school and that she had really enjoyed this visit. She made you feel as if you were important at that moment in her life. The students did the college proud and it was a successful visit.

    We also had a light-hearted moment during the her visit. The Queen stamped her foot on the school's front terrace and said: 'This is hollow.' I said, 'Yes, Your Majesty, and if Your Majesty continues to bounce up and down she will find herself sitting in Home Economics,' and she absolutely roared with laughter!"

    Simone Kennett, Former head of Jersey College for Girls

  9. 'I said: 'All right, Liz?''

    Glyn ShermanGlyn Sherman

    Glyn Sherman, from Coventry, was serving in the Royal Horse Artillery in 1984 when as a guard of honour he met the Queen at a birthday parade.

    When she came along I said 'all right, Liz'? The top brass went to come down and she put her hand up to stop them, so I was lucky. I felt bad about it but had to explain to her that I've got a daughter called Elizabeth and it just came out like that.

    She turned around and said 'I like to be unofficial sometimes'. It was brilliant. The memory will never go out of me.

    Her death has left me heartbroken. I don't look at her as being Her Majesty. We call her our boss.

    Glyn Sherman

  10. Born in the same year as the Queen

    I was born in 1926, a Londoner, and saw the Queen on the balcony with her parents on the day her father was crowned George VI. That memory is still very vivid in my mind.

    Beryl Smith

  11. The girl named after the Queen because her sister met her

    Alicia Finn-O’Shea, who is 10, met the Queen as a four-month-old baby.

    The family were so impressed by that encounter they named Alicia's little sister Elizabeth. She's now aged seven and prefers to be called Eliza, but they came to the Mall on Monday to watch the funeral procession with their mum Claire.

    Alicia and Eliza at The Mall

    It was really magical and amazing but also upsetting. The nice thought is the Queen is having marmalade sandwiches and tea with her family in heaven."

    Alicia Finn-O’Shea

    We arrived early from Birmingham to secure our place opposite Buckingham Palace gates to bid farewell to Her Majesty. We are really tired today but so happy we made it. It was an absolutely amazing day."

    Claire Finn-O'Shea

  12. 'I used to make cakes for Her Majesty'

    Kieron HalesKieron Hales

    I used to make cakes and pastries for Her Majesty when I worked at Buckingham Palace from 2001 to 2002 and Sandringham from 2005 to 2006. I got really lucky. I did a modern apprenticeship under the patronage of the now King Charles III... On my days off I went and worked at Buckingham Palace two days a week. Over time I ended up working in the pastry kitchen and had the privilege of making some of the cakes and pastries that used to go out to the Queen during her teatime.

    When I heard the news of the Queen's death I stepped outside for a good 10 minutes and really cried, I needed to get away from everyone. There are no Brits near me [in America] and so it's more of a challenge for people to understand what's going on.

    It feels like more of a part of you has gone rather than a parent or relative. It feels a little bit of your identity has been lost.

    Kieron Hales

  13. 'The Queen was my fantastic ex-boss'

    Peter John Wailes

    Peter John Wailes, who served in the RAF for 25 years, met the Queen many times and headed to Windsor on the day of her funeral to pay his respects.

    The 63-year-old recalls how once at Buckingham Palace during a VJ Day parade the Queen noticed a veteran was struggling in the heat and ordered an officer to get them some water.

    “She was fantastic and in charge of everything,“ he says.

    I’m here to pay respects to my ex-boss, I feel great respect for her and want to say thanks for everything - I enjoyed working for her and meeting her.”

    Peter John Wailes

  14. Photo of us handing Queen flowers was on parents' wall for 20 years

    The Queen accepts flowers from two small children, she is wearing a purple tea dress and a long purple coat with a matching purple hatPaul Hayden

    Paul Hayden and his sister handing flowers to the Queen during her visit to Essex

    My memory is a rather distant one: I think I was about five, and the Queen visited the Essex county show. I was photographed handing a bouquet of flowers to the Queen with my younger sister. Prince Phillip stood alongside the Queen. The photo ended up on the front page of the local newspaper and a framed photo was proudly displayed by my parents in their hallway for at least 20 years.

    You can imagine the enjoyment all my friends (and my sister) have had over the years making fun of their once angelic mate and his little sister giving flowers to the Queen but I must admit to being rather proud of the occasion, particularly now. Rest in Peace HRH Queen Elizabeth II."

    Paul Hayden

  15. Archbishop played puzzles with Queen

    The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell shared a jigsaw puzzle and watched TV with the Queen at Sandringham.

    The Archbishop of York with the QueenArchbishop of York

    It was a great privilege to be alongside her. We sat down after dinner and did a jigsaw and the television was on.

    It's a bereavement, and with every bereavement there is shock, there is loss but there is also thankfulness for a life lived well. A life of astonishing service. She was a person of simple but profound faith, and it was that faith that shaped her."

    Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell

  16. A detailed pencil sketch drawing of a young Queen Elizabeth IIRaven Harlow Aspenwood

    Raven Harlow Aspenwood is severely visually impaired and has channeled her grief into her portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth II

    I am registered severely visually impaired, but I felt compelled to do something to channel my overwhelming and surprising level of grief following the sad passing of HRH, Queen Elizabeth II. I think my strongest memory of the queen is how comforting her presence has been during every stage of my 28 years of life, when something difficult has happened she has comforted us with her words, when something wonderful has happened she has filled our hearts with joy, with her wonderful smile and calming presence. She has been the grandmother of our nation, the matriarch we all need in times of hardship and times of joy. Her dignity, strength and consistency has been a great comfort and I thank her for her seventy years of steadfast service.

    Raven Harlow Aspenwood from East Yorkshire

  17. Remembering the Queen's smile

    Queen Elizabeth II smiling, during a visit in JulyGetty Images / WPA Pool

    What a smile. She could lift a room with that wonderful smile and that genuine interest that she has in the people of this country."

    Warwickshire County Council Leader, Izzi Seccombe

    I do remember her smile, I experienced that myself. It not only lit up a room, it lit up a nation - and she had the capacity to make us smile too."

    Bishop of Coventry, Reverend Christopher Cocksworth

  18. Zara Umar after giving the Queen flowersIshrat Umar

    Zara Umar gave flowers to the Queen in 2002

    My daughter Zara and I went down to the City Square in Dundee to see the Queen in 2002. We waited for a long time. Soon the time came and the Queen was walking towards us. She was about five or six steps away from us when one of her security personnel guided the Queen away to the car to leave. Zara was so disappointed and my heart sank. Just then a plain clothes man came and asked me if he could lift Zara over the barrier. Much to my delight, Zara presented the flowers to the Queen and said 'here you are then, take your flowers.' I couldnt believe it! The Queen must have found it funny though and watched Zara return to me with a big smile on her face. I will treasure this memory forever."

    Ishrat Umar, Dundee

  19. 'It was an honour to be a soldier for her'

    Three army veterans from Worcestershire pay tribute to the Queen...

    The three veterans, Dave Sandy, Eric Braithwaite and Anthony Goodway

    She was our head, she was our leader, she was the person we were serving and she's the one that we would follow. It hits you, it hits your heart."

    Eric Braithwaite, who served for 23 years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

    Princess Elizabeth at the wheel of an Army vehicle when she served during the Second World War in the Auxiliary Territorial ServicePA Media

    Everyone called her the boss in one way or another. I've actually guarded the Queen and Prince Philip on other duties. A big lump in the throat, lost the boss, getting a new one."

    Dave Sandy, who served in the territorial army from the late 1970s until the 1990s

    I've done a lot of parades for the Queen, she was a lovely lady and worked so hard for the country. I was in tears, I will be honest. It was an honour to be with her and be a soldier for her."

    Anthony Goodway, who spent two years in national service from 1958 until 1960

  20. The Queen was asked who she was - but smiled and handled it well

    I met the Queen when she visited the Isle of Skye as part of her Golden Jubilee tour. As a nurse then at the local care home, myself and other staff members were invited to bring some of our residents to meet Her Majesty. The great day came, our ladies looking beautiful, wheelchairs polished. One of our residents had worked at the palace as a younger woman and had photos of the Queen all around her room in the care home, so, if any one was to be there that day, it was her.

    As the Queen approached our little group that day she asked me: ‘Are these the ladies from the care home?' I replied in the positive and then said this resident had worked in the palace. The Queen looked down a little and asked her: “When did you work at the palace?” To which, the lady looked up and and replied, in a rather gruff voice: “And who are you?” What a moment. I apologised. The Queen just smiled and moved on.

    I was quite overwhelmed, I don’t have photos of the Queen all over the house, but I’ve always respected her, especially as a Christian woman. She had a real true faith, so meeting her was very special. I didn’t expect to be so overcome by the moment. Her demeanour was that of interest and she handled the situation really well. She left us all feeling very special and honoured.

    Barbara Matheson from Glasgow

    Barbara MathesonAlistair Matheson

    Barbara Matheson has recalled the moment she met the Queen during Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee tour