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. 'I was a chorister in Windsor - the Queen was always so friendly'

    I was a boy chorister at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle from the age of 7 to 13. At Easter and Christmas the other boys in our school would go home at the end of term, but the choristers had to stay on in order to carry out our singing duties in the Chapel, often for the Royal Family. Being away from one's own family during celebrations was hard when so young. The Queen must known this because she was always so friendly to us boys.

    Richard Good, from Oxfordshire

  2. 'My son's first and last Queen's Jubilee'

    My one-year-old son Anraj Singh Bamotra's first jubilee. It was his first and now his last Queen's Jubilee and we all celebrated with a big party but we would have never thought it was going to be our last. RIP our wonderful Queen and thank you for everything you did in the world by touching so many hearts.

    Gurpreet Singh Bamotra, from London

    Anraj Singh Bamotra celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.Gurpreet Singh Bamotra

    Anraj Singh Bamotra celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

  3. 'I corrected the Queen!'

    Becky Kluth showing the Queen her puppet-making skills in 1994Becky Kluth / City of London School for Girls

    Becky Kluth showing the Queen her puppet-making skills in 1994, aged nine

    On 14 October 1994, the Queen visited my school, City of London School for Girls, to open a new hall and celebrate the school's centenary. It was really exciting - amazing. We had to stand in a line outside our school. I have a very fond memory of speaking to her while I was making a puppet. Also a slightly amusing story - she said she liked my monkey puppet and I informed her that it was in fact a chimpanzee! I was nine years old. As a young kid, obviously I knew she was the Queen, but most people wouldn't correct the Queen!

    Today, I'm really sad. I've been a bit emotional. It's brought back memories of my gran dying this year, in March. It's such a huge loss and huge change coming for the country.

    Becky Kluth, from High Wycombe

  4. 'It should've been me!'

    Catching a bouquet can get pretty competitive, but it was the giving of flowers that caused friction for a brother and sister from Essex.

    Nick Weymouth presenting the Queen with flowers in 1980Nick Weymouth

    Nick Weymouth presenting the Queen with flowers in 1980

    My dad had overseen a shopping centre project in Windsor and was due to meet Her Majesty as part of its opening. Various strains of the family all made their way down there and it was decided that my older sister, Louise, was to hand the Queen flowers if the chance came. But at the last moment she couldn't go through with it!

    Before I knew it, I was hoisted up on my uncle's shoulders and thrust up towards the barrier. 'Are these for me?' the Queen asked, looking straight at me with a smile - I remember it so clearly, that I thought, 'she's nice, she reminds me of my nanny'. I responded with a fumbled 'hmm', a nod and a smile.

    I was the celebrated grandchild for the rest of the day and the journey home and best yet, this photo ended up on the front page of the local newspaper that covered the event. My sister is still smarting about it over 40 years later and often proclaims at family gatherings: 'It should have been me!'

    Nick Weymouth, from Essex

  5. 'A bit of a legend'

    Kalpesh Patel, Amelia Chowdhry and Mital Patel

    From left to right: Kalpesh Patel, Amelia Chowdhry and Mital Patel

    These Bart's hospital workers were at St Paul's Cathedral today as it prepared for a service in tribute to the Queen.

    I want to pay my tributes to the queen as well, she's been an inspiration and a staple through our whole lives and she'll be a huge loss for everyone, not only in the UK, but to people around the world.

    Mital Patel

    The queen was a bit of legend representing women in the UK and working pretty much until her dying day at the age of 96.

    Amelia Chowdhry

    She meant quite a lot to us. It's a great opportunity for us to come and see this and pay our tributes.

    Kalpesh Patel

  6. Queen of the one-liners

    Raj Panesar, 53, was five years old when the Queen visited his school, Beeston Primary, Leeds, in the Silver Jubilee year of 1977.

    There was such a buzz in the school. We made these flags which we coloured in and spent ages making paper chains. You felt really nice and important. I remember physically seeing her and she was always smiling and joking. She spoke softly but came out with these one-liners.

  7. 'I have always admired her'

    I was at work in a hospital near Queen's Park in Toronto on July 6, 2010, when I heard that the Queen would visit there. I always have my small digital camera with me, so I grabbed my camera and made my way to Queen's Park, which was a five-minute walk. When I got there, I saw crowds of people lining the streets, and I thought I might not get a glimpse of her.

    The Queen spots a little girl with a bouquet during a visit to Toronto with husband PhilipKaren Benedict

    I stood on the opposite side of the street from the Queen. To my surprise, the Queen spotted a little girl near me with a bouquet, and she crossed the street and walked toward the little girl, and I could not believe my eyes and was able to take those quick shots of her. I was thrilled to see her up close! She was very kind and thanked the little girl for the bouquet.

    the Queen accepts flowers from the little girlKaren Benedict

    I was saddened to hear of her passing! I have always admired her strength, sense of duty, and faith.

    Karen Benedict, from Toronto

  8. 'The world owes you so much'

    As British citizens and expats in Hong Kong, we are so deeply grateful for Her Majesty's devotion to all her people in every corner of our planet - and making the world a better place. The world owes you so much. With love and prayers to you and your family.

    Lisa and Duncan Fitzgerald, from Hong Kong

  9. 'Her death comes as a real shock'

    I am really saddened by Her Majesty's death. I understand there's certain things we can't control but her death comes as a real shock to me. When she came to Uganda, I was young so I barely remember anything. I can't believe she is gone without coming here one more time. I always admired her and will continue to [do so]. I pray she rests in perfect peace.

    Salome K

  10. 'I met the Queen covered in cowpats'

    Mark meeting the Queen and shaking her handRhythmix

    I was covered in cow splatter. There was a line-up, I tagged myself on the end. By then I was covered in cow stuff, and that’s how I was presented. She shook my hand, looked me up and down the full length of my 6ft 6in height, threw her head back, started giggling, and said ‘How lovely’. It was a fantastic day and the proudest moment of my life. It was unbelievable - ‘There’s the Queen!' - somebody you’ve seen from TV and stamps. I broke royal protocol by holding out my hand, but she grabbed it, shook it and started giggling. Yesterday I was really bereft. I’ve never felt like this. We’ve only ever known the Queen. I was totally bereft as it is the end of an era.

    Mark Randall, from Tunbridge Wells

  11. I went to Windsor Castle in February and just fell in love with her and all the history. As I walked around, you could see her living room and the lamp was on - which apparently means she's in there - and then I saw her head appear. I cried last night and I still can't get over it now. She was perfect.

    Emma Shepherd

  12. 'A letter from the Queen that we'll treasure forever'

    A letter from Buckingham PalaceCourtesy of Antoinette Cowling

    When I was three years old, my mum took my five-year-old brother and I to visit Windsor Castle. We enjoyed our visit so much that we drew pictures of Queen Mary’s dolls’ house that we had seen on display, and the cannons outside the Castle. We sent them to the Queen, and were excited to receive a reply to thank us for the pictures. A letter we will treasure forever.

    Antoinette Cowling

  13. Queen Elizabeth II: a role model for every woman - daughter, sister, mother, wife, grandmother, politician, deputy minister, prime minister, president. Hardworking, responsible, honest, proud, simple and loving.

    Arben Rugova Prishtina, Republic of Kosova

  14. 'She was our Mother'

    I am not able to make myself believe that Mother Elizabeth is no more. I never had a chance in my soul to consider her as a Queen. Instead I used to call her in my soul as Mother, I do not know why it was like that. But only thing I know is that I always wanted to speak to her whenever I was alone. I used to speak to her from my soul and she used to respond to me from my heart. I do not know what to do now. Now I feel like an orphan in my soul.

    Manoj, from Kerala, South India

  15. 'It's a huge loss for our nation'

    Kelly Ann Martin gave the Queen flowers when she visited Leeds during her Jubilee tours in 2002 and 2012.

    Kelly Ann Martin (on the right) welcoming the Queen to LeedsKelly Ann Martin

    I'm absolutely devastated by her death. She's been in mine - and so many people's - lives forever. It's a huge loss for our nation and the Commonwealth. When she met you and spoke with you, she looked straight into your eyes and you could see she was genuinely chuffed you had come to see her. She had this big beaming smile and radiated warmth and genuineness.

    Kelly Ann Martin, from Leeds

  16. 'She was a very graceful lady'

    A wonderful lady. She wasn't what I expected. She was a very graceful lady, full of natural grace and charm."

    John Letts, a sculptor, from Knowle, on meeting the Queen

  17. 'I'll miss her Christmas Speech'

    I never had the fortune to meet Queen Elizabeth, or even see her from afar - but her graciousness and ability to convey warmth, wisdom and encouragement each Christmas is something that cannot be replaced. I was never a huge royalist - but the sense of grief that I and many others feel is a testament to the work the Queen did during thousands of engagements all over the world. She will be dearly missed.

    Daniel, from Glasgow

  18. The Queen at St Davids CathedralBenedict O’Leary

    We attended the Easter Maundy Thursday service at St Davids Cathedral in 1981, as a relative was receiving money. I was dressed in my full school uniform and managed to get to the front of the crowd. I waited patiently and this was the best photo I took. It was the first time I had used the camera.

    Benedict O’Leary

  19. 'The world will never be the same without her'

    Even though I never had the immense pleasure and honour of meeting her in person, I followed all of her appearances and various activities. The world will never be the same without her and she’ll be sorely missed for centuries to come. RIP Her Majesty.

    Gabi

  20. 'She was so welcoming'

    Dr Abdalla Yasin, chair of the Onyx Link Foundation, meeting the QueenDr Abdalla Yasin

    So, this photo is from a reception where Her Majesty honoured religious organisations that help with community cohesion. She made the moment so fulfilling even though it was brief. She was smiling wide and seemed cheerful and peaceful. Her body language said a lot - she was so welcoming.

    That moment's been living in my heart and mind since then. She was recognising and empowering faith community cohesion work, so that we give more and do better.

    Dr Abdalla Yasin, chair of the Onyx Link Foundation, based in Newport, Wales