Queen Elizabeth II: Your tributes to UK's longest-reigning monarch

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

A tribute that runs through generationspublished at 00:47 British Summer Time 11 September 2022
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I would like to send in a tribute to the Queen on behalf of my grandparents, Alfred Kelly and Pat Kelly, who adore the queen and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary a few years back. I arranged the congratulatory card signed by the Queen to mark the occasion. They now have this framed in their front room. They are both now 93 and 90.
Max Kelly from Rufford, Lancashire
Image source, Max Kelly
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A Platinum Wedding anniversary card signed by the Queen.
A princess in wartimepublished at 23:37 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
Image source, Spencer Keayes
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Princess Elizabeth, aged 18, photographed in May 1944 visiting the Grenadier Guards in Hove
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A young Princess Elizabeth inspecting 1st Bn Grenadier Guards in 1944, as part of her role as Colonel of the Regiment. My Grandfather, Sgt Albert 'Bob' Killick, is marching behind Her Majesty, with the rifle at 'the slope'.
Spencer Keayes from Luton
'She could reach everybody - no matter their age'published at 22:44 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
Image source, Anisha Mitha
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Brothers Zak and Kian laid flowers outside Buckingham Palace
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My little one was very sad when teachers broke the news to him. At school they mentioned you can go to the palace and see what’s happening. So they asked me if we could go and take flowers. The Queen was such a good role model because of her work ethic. She was able to somehow communicate not only to older members of society, but to younger ones too. She just had a way about her that meant she could reach everybody, it didn't matter what your age or where you were from.
Anisha Mitha from Northwood, London
Image source, Anisha Mitha
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Five-year-old Zak wrote "I miss you" to the Queen on a bunch of flowers
Image source, Anisha Mitha
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Thirteen-year-old Kian laid a bunch of flowers outside Buckingham Palace in memory of the Queen
Dressing up for the Platinum Jubileepublished at 21:41 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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My two-year-old, Arthur Walklate, went to Windsor dressed in a cape and crown for Her Majesty's Jubilee. The outfit was handmade by his nanny. Everyone loved him, the guards, the police officers and many tourists. As he grows up, he will forever have a king. However, we will remind him that he once had a Queen, a remarkable woman, and he was lucky enough to be part of her special celebrations.
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For our family the royals are everything. They bring the spirit of the British public together, we sing together, we unite as a nation. For my son to go to Windsor and experience the excitement of the Jubilee, we knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s so sad the Queen has passed, but those photos and memories of him going with his grandparents will be so important to look back on.
Amy Kerrigan from High Wycombe
Image source, Amy Kerrigan from High Wycombe
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Two-year-old Arthur outside Windsor Castle in the lead up to this year's Jubilee celebrations
'She's done so much for everyone'published at 20:42 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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The Queen was a big role model around the world. She's just done so much for everyone - culturally, politically, in sport, and music. She's just been everything for everyone. I've always followed the Royal Family, and I saw Harry and Meghan because I was at the front row of the crowd at their wedding. I'm always at Sandringham. I know she is irreplaceable but I'm hoping King Charles can comfort the whole nation, and the world.
Tino Ndoro from Norwich
'The country will never be the same without her'published at 19:22 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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“My dad was Master Tailor in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in the Household Regiment, and he was also in the Queen's Guard. He served Her Majesty for 25 years of his life. We have been non-stop talking of memories of Her Majesty, and one memory that my dad cherishes so much which is personal to him is when he was on Barret Guard standing outside Windsor castle in the sentry box very early in the morning. Then out of the dewy morning mist came a mass of corgis and behind these corgis my dad sees a small lady, dressed in wellies, a Barbour jacket, that famous black handbag and her headscarf. It was Her Majesty. My dad stands to attention and she says 'morning sentry', my dad replies 'morning ma’am' and off Her Majesty goes into the grounds of the castle.
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The Queen was a remarkable lady, and my family has never ever known another monarch. My grandparents remember her coronation, my dad served her, and my brother and I have been fortunate enough to live an army life with The Queen at the very centre of everything we did in our lives. She was a remarkable lady, and that is an understatement. This country will never ever be the same without her, from myself, my family and especially my dad we miss her profoundly.
Meagan Johnson from the Lake District
Image source, Family submission
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Malcolm Johnson photographed after being appointed Master Tailor for the Irish Guards in 2002
Image source, Family submission
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Malcolm Johnson (right) and his daughter Meagan Johnson (second from left)
'I've received five letters from the Queen'published at 18:54 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
Image source, Staveley family
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Jimmy Staveley holds the reply to the first letter he sent to the Queen in 2016
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I remember in 2016 I wrote to Her Majesty to congratulate her on her 90th birthday and received a reply from Buckingham Palace. In total, I have now received five letters from the Queen after writing to her several times. I admired her. I watched King Charles' address to the nation and I felt very sorry for him because he seemed very upset. But it was a nice announcement because he looked forward to the future for the country.
Jimmy Staveley from Carmarthenshire
'King Charles is going to follow in his mother's footsteps'published at 18:39 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
Image source, Peter J Honour
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The Queen visits Bromley in 1986
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The Queen and Prince Philip were visiting Bromley so I went down there and took my camera. It was just so lovely to see her smiling and talking to people, and Prince Philip as well. They were just people-persons, absolutely, and I think that’s what they’ve been. King Charles is going to do the same, he's going to follow in his mother’s footsteps I’m sure.
Peter Honour from Orpington
Image source, Peter J Honour
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The Queen visits Bromley in 1986
'Mummy, the Queen was wearing my favourite colour!'published at 18:24 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
Image source, Samantha McGowan
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Samantha, Scarlett and Jon McGowan meet the Queen at the opening of the new Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne in 2011
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We moved to Australia from Essex in 2005. Our daughter, Scarlett, was born with a serious heart condition three years later and received a life-saving heart transplant when she was six months old at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. We met the Queen when she visited Australia in 2011 and opened the new, upgraded hospital buildings. The Queen was flawless. She was immaculate in every sense and really engaging. From the moment she walked in, we felt like we were the only people in the room. As she left, Scarlett said, 'Mummy, she was wearing my favourite colour!' Because we’re 'Poms in Oz' it's a running joke that we moved halfway around the world to see the Queen of England!
Samantha McGowan in Torquay, Australia
Meeting the Queen at Balmoralpublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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We were just walking our dog as a family on the Balmoral estate in 2012 when we saw a car up the road and a tall security guard. The Queen was in the passenger seat. She got out and walked straight up to us and said hello. I remember my Mum and Dad introducing us all. She asked where we were going and took time to find out where we were from. It was just small talk. We were conscious of her time so my Mum said, 'We must let you get on with your walk.' As the Queen walked away I thought, 'I can’t let this slip,' and I took a photo over my shoulder. It was incredible really. What was really weird was that about five minutes before, my Dad was telling this story about how his friends had once bumped into Prince Charles.
Oliver Atkin from Bromley
Image source, Oliver Atkin
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The Queen walking on the Balmoral estate in 2012
'Rest in peace Ma'am'published at 17:18 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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She was a truly special person who showed dignity and loyalty and brought calmness, composure and love to our country, the commonwealth and the whole world. As we all say goodbye to the Queen and we mourn, the rainbow still shines through to give us all hope for the coming years. Rest in peace Ma’am 🖤🖤🖤
Lynne Hewerdine, from Middlesbrough
Image source, Lynne Hewerdine
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Lynne Hewerdine's drawing of the Queen.
'I bought my first suit to see the Queen'published at 17:01 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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When I was 11 years old, I was invited to a luncheon attended by the Queen. My whole family and I were excited and spent months in anticipation, it prompted me to buy my first suit! I remember the moment she walked into the room and to this day I am sure we made eye contact from afar. After all the anticipation, nerves and excitement I remember being just amazed at seeing her in real life.
Noah Herr, from Liverpool
‘She put the Great in Great Britain’published at 15:41 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
Image source, Family submission
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11-year-old Anya Patel proudly holding her portrait of the Queen
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When Anya took her portrait of the Queen into school she was walking so proudly with it, and everyone was stopping us to have a look. We decided to write to the Queen at Buckingham Palace and didn’t expect a reply at all.
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I remember a few months later we found an envelope with the royal stamp on the doormat after school. Anya was jumping up and down, she was really excited. The personal touches in the letter were so lovely, you could tell the Queen had actually looked at the art.
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It just sums her up really. I think she put the Great in Great Britain. She’s just remarkable. You can’t replace somebody like that, she’s an incredible lady.
Alpa Patel, Anya’s mother, from Reading
Image source, Family submission
'At times like this I draw'published at 15:14 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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Sometimes it is hard to express our feelings with words. At times like this I draw. Thank you Radio 2 for guiding us through this time.
Sarah Glover, from Market Harborough
Image source, Sarah Glover
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A drawing of the Queen by Sarah Glover.
'Better than any fairytale'published at 14:46 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
Image source, Yasmine Jamil
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Queen Elizabeth II in Pakistan
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I am not surprised at the depth of sadness I feel at the death of the Queen. It’s the sadness of losing a dear family member. She was so much a part of our lives in a very real way. Although I grew up in Pakistan, we felt her presence especially in our family. I saw her when she visited Pakistan in the 50s and my parents actually met her. The photo of this meeting proudly hangs in our house.
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My mother did her postgraduate training as a paediatrician in the UK soon after the war. She brought back so many stories of the Royal Family and of the beautiful new Queen for her own young family. She told us about her ‘roses and cream complexion’, her amazing coronation, her handsome husband and then her children. I, one of her young daughters, couldn’t have enough of these stories - they were better than any fairy tale.
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Later I have many of my own memories of the Queen, of finally ‘seeing’ her after usually waiting hours in very inclement weather. Too many [memories] to recount and all remembered very fondly. Rest in peace your majesty. May the prayers and love of millions carry you on your last journey and sustain the family left behind.
Yasmine Jamil, who grew up in Pakistan and now lives in the UK
'A magical moment'published at 14:21 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
Image source, Zoe Jackson
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Zoe Jackson, winner of a Queen's Young Leaders Award, outside Windsor Castle
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It was one of the greatest days of my life and so many dreams came true. It was an absolute honour and a pleasure to be recognised by the Queen and, of course, be in her presence. It was just a magical moment. She is absolutely one of the greatest role models in the world, and she will be sadly missed by so many.
Zoe Jackson, founder of Living the Dream, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live
'Her warm smile put us at ease'published at 13:52 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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We met the Queen 10 years ago when she awarded us with our MBE. We were very nervous but her beautiful warm smile soon put us at ease. We were so privileged to have met her. No words can express how much she will be missed. We were given this award in 2012 for services to children and families through fostering. We still foster and are in our 31st year. We've fostered over 60 children over the years. We were so thrilled and excited to find out on the day that it was going to be the Queen who would present the award.
Tony and Maureen Coumbe, from Surrey
Image source, Tony and Maureen Coumbe
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Tony and Maureen Coumbe receiving their MBE.
'A great inspiration to me'published at 13:25 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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Queen Elizabeth II was one of the most iconic, brilliant and incredible personalities of our contemporary history. I am 43 and she is the only Queen I knew. I always followed her life with great interest and her attitude and her deep sense of duty were a great inspiration to me as a young woman.
Chiara Toscano, from Italy
'I will never forget meeting her'published at 12:23 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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This was on the Sandringham Estate for the gun dog field trial championship. I think it was in 2005. I will never forget meeting her. I was told I must not ask the Queen a question. But when she asked me if I had had a good day, I said yes, have you? I have never gone so red in my life. She just laughed and said it’s been amazing.
Jonny Trotter, from Harrogate, UK
Image source, Jonny Trotter
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Jonny Trotter took this photo of the Queen in front of some flowers at the Sandringham Estate.
'It's like when a grandparent passes'published at 11:27 British Summer Time 10 September 2022
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It's like when a grandparent passes... even if you don't know them that well, you get the feeling you don't know what to do anymore. She's been around our whole life, we don't know anything apart from the Queen. Now that she's gone it's unknown waters, she's not there anymore. As a woman growing up knowing that it's a woman in charge it's always been kind of personal. I like the fact that a woman's in power... it won't change anything now that we have a King but I think for the young girls out there it will be different looking up to a man.
Molly Bews, 20, from Liverpool