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. 'She had a twinkle in her eyes'

    Florence looking through her photo album of the Queen's 2004 visit

    Florence Walker, in Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh, has been looking at photographs of the Royal Visit to the village in 2004 during the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

    Florence says that when the Queen was introduced to the ladies of the Friday Club, she joked: "This is not Friday, how come you're here today?"

    "That was her sense of humour and they all had a good laugh over that and many of them remembered that," says Florence.

    "She had a great sense of humour, great twinkle in her eyes and a beautiful smile and she put everybody at ease."

    Florence also recalls the historic visit to Enniskillen during the Diamond Jubilee when the Queen crossed the street from St Macartin’s Church of Ireland Cathedral to St Michael's Roman Catholic Church.

    "It was lovely the way she was received by all of the community and I think that's the one thing about her - she was the Queen of us all."

  2. 'She knew how to throw a party'

    The Queen's parties were legendary, so say Jo Brinkworth and Sue Peat, who were lucky enough to have been invited.

    Jo Brinkworth and Sue Peat queuing to sign a book of condolence at Cardiff City Hall

    Jo Brinkworth (left) and Sue Peat queued to sign a book of condolence at Cardiff City Hall

    Someone so diminutive to have that command. World leaders were in her awe. And she had fantastic parties - I was invited as a civil servant. I went to her garden party. It was when she had a cataract and she had shaded glasses. It was one of the last garden parties before Covid.

    Jo Brinkworth

    I've surprised myself, I didn't think I'd feel as upset as I am. My parents met her. And I went to the garden party. When you see her you're in awe, she had an awe and presence. Stunning garden parties, which was an experience of a lifetime.

    Sue Peat

  3. 'We've only ever known the Queen'

    Shown in the image, from left to right: Basset, Tegan and Becky

    From left: Basset, Tegan and Becky, from Hammersmith Academy in London

    Even though we knew it was coming, it was still just weird to see someone who was such a massive British figure just be gone, so it's going to be strange her not being on the throne anymore.

    Tegan

    My whole life I have had the Queen on the throne rather than anyone else.

    Basset

    It'll be weird when new banknotes and coins are released. We've only ever known the Queen on them.

    Becky

  4. Share your memories of the Queen with us

    Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle, 28 September 1952Getty Images

    The Queen at Balmoral Castle in 1952

    We've created this space for you to send us your treasured memories of Queen Elizabeth II. And we've been receiving messages from all over the world.

    Whether you met the Queen in person, received a letter or were simply inspired by her, we'd love to hear from you.

    You can share your memories in the following ways:

  5. 'I will miss her terribly'

    Chris Witts, a former mayor of Gloucester, met the Queen a number of times, in particular when the royal couple sailed into Gloucester Docks to inspect the re-development there.

    It was a wonderful hour, I saw her in a really happy mood. We spoke about the press and she said she had some stories about the London press and then burst out into a Cockney accent - I thought this is wonderful. I am so proud to have that hour with the Queen, I will miss her terribly.

  6. 'People came to be together'

    Southwark Cathedral has been marking the passing of the Queen.

    Reverend Canon Michael Rawson

    Since the announcement [of the Queen's death] people have been coming here to pray, to light candles and to be together. The bells rang around for over an hour as a mark of respect, and done in a very special way - we will never hear that again.

    The Reverend Canon Michael Rawson of Southwark Cathedral

    Michael Uphill

    It's very sad - I remember her father, the King. I have rung many bells for Her Majesty, starting with her silver wedding. It was an honour to ring the bells today.

    Michael Uphill, bell ringer

  7. Primary school shares poem for the Queen

    Year 5 of Our Lady's School in Bangor has been busy this morning creating a poem and pictures in memory of the Queen.

    The picture and poem by Year 5 of Our Lady’s School, BangorOur Lady’s School, Bangor

  8. My mother passed away when I was 11. When I felt sad or alone at school, I would look up to see the framed portrait of Her Majesty the Queen. It comforted me since my mother wore her hair in a similar style and I felt like a mother was always there with me. I will always be grateful for that comfort.

    Beverley Greenlaw, from the US

  9. One of my first memories was going to Cardiff Castle when I was three years of age for part of the celebrations of the investiture of Prince Charles. It just hit me quite hard yesterday when I thought I'll wake up for the first time in my life and she won't be Queen.

    Kathryn Hudson, from Cardiff

  10. 'Humour like the wave of a good fairy's wand'

    At this very moment, one perhaps fails to truly grasp and reflect on the magnificent life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. Time shall pass and many moments of reflection shall be needed before we are able to realise the size of the void her loss leaves in our hearts and understand the nature of the role she played in the lives of so many, so impeccably, over so long a period.

    She was a shining example of utmost devotion to service, performing her duties with extraordinary grace and dignity, tirelessly and selflessly until the very end. Her incredible perception and keen interest in so many fields, along with her natural ability to put people at ease and treat them with warmth and respect, regardless of their background, helped her feel, understand and adapt to the changes in modern society.

    Above all, what she gave to the world was that calming, reassuring, everlasting presence that whispered to us even in the darkest of times: 'I'm here for you. All shall be well.' And perhaps she was loved and cherished so much because she was aware of her miraculous and far-reaching influence and was thus able to make an impact on the world with a simple gesture or smile, often with her remarkable sense of humour, almost with the wave of a wand like a good fairy in a bedtime story of our childhood. While that good fairy may now be gone, her presence will still be felt, her legacy will live on.

    Georgi N Kotov, from Sofia, Bulgaria

  11. Queen's handshake ends in detention

    Paul Hansen-Williams was bunking off school with friends in Swansea city centre in 1989 when he noticed a large crowd at the train station. The 14-year-old realised why people were gathering when he spotted the Queen.

    She was shaking hands, so I put my hand out and she shook it and then left - I was there for all of five minutes.

    But little did Paul know, he was caught on camera and made the front page of the South Wales Evening Post.

    Paul Hansen-WilliamsPaul Hansen-Williams

    I ended up getting a detention, because I didn't really have an excuse then. There was no way I could say I had a doppelganger in Swansea.

  12. A child's memories of the coronation

    Viv Jones, 74, in Watford, was just four-and-a-half at the time of the coronation in 1953.

    Earlier this year, she posted some of her memories of the day:

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    Following the loss of the Queen, she says:

    I'm devastated by the loss of our wonderful, much-loved Queen. Every time I read a tribute I'm in tears again. It was not so long ago that we had our wonderful Jubilee tea when we were all so happy retelling our memories of her.

    My thoughts are with the King now and the rest of the Royal Family. The King is just one year younger than I am and what an enormous role he has ahead of him. The Queen will undoubtedly have ensured he was ready to take over from her and I have no doubts that he will carry on, as she has done, dedicating the rest of his life to the service of this country. God Save the King!

  13. Share your memories of the Queen with us

    The Queen, smiling in a pink hat with white flowerGetty Images

    We've created this space for you to send us your treasured memories of Queen Elizabeth II. And we've been receiving messages from all over the world.

    Whether you met the Queen in person, received a letter or were simply inspired by her, we'd love to hear from you.

    You can share your memories in the following ways:

  14. Aberfan survivor remembers 'a brilliant monarch'

    Jeff Edwards as a childGetty Images

    Jeff Edwards was eight years old when a coal waste tip came crashing down on Pantglas Primary School and surrounding homes, killing 116 children and 28 adults, in 1966. The Queen visited in the aftermath of what became known as the Aberfan disaster.

    She showed great compassion and concern and was genuinely interested in the community's regeneration over many years. I'm saddened by the loss of such a brilliant monarch. It's really upsetting.

    I remember the Duchess of Grafton introducing me to the Queen and she said 'the young lad with the white hair', which was really touching.

    The Queen and Prince Philip visiting Aberfan in 1966Getty Images

    The Queen and Prince Philip visited Aberfan in 1966

    The Queen meeting Jeff Edwards in 2012Getty Images

    The Queen met Jeff Edwards again in 2012

  15. A treasured church memory

    As you've been sending in your memories and tributes, we've also been hearing from Radio 5 Live listeners like Rebecca.

    I met the Queen at All Saints Chapel on Windsor Estate about six or seven years ago now. I was undertaking training to become a barrister and we had an advocacy weekend at Cumberland Lodge. A number of us were able to go along to the church to sit with the congregation.

    It was just remarkable not only being able to meet her but we also got to spend time with the congregation and so many of them considered her a dear friend, not just the Queen... there was just this great sense of ease with her - it’s an experience that not many people get to have and one that I will definitely treasure.

    Rebecca from London

    RebeccaRebecca

  16. Switching the O2 for a cathedral

    Students Lily and Piers from Bristol were heading out for the evening last night when they heard the news and decided to visit the city’s cathedral instead to light a candle.

    Bristol Cathedral

    We were supposed to go to a gig at the O2 but we just heard the news and thought it would be nice to come down and pay our respects to the Queen. She's played such a significant part in all our lives regardless of your age, she's always been there so we thought we would come down and pay our respects.

    Piers

    I think there is a lot of talk about the monarchy and the Queen herself, I think if you take away all of that she was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother she was so important to so many people. Piers and I felt so emotional about it and felt really moved. I just think if you just take away everything, she was a wonderful woman.

    Lily

  17. '70 years of total dedication - how do you follow that?'

    Nurse Malcolm Johnson, and tech company worker Natasha Johnson, of Downham Market, both in their 50s, paid tribute at Sandringham today.

    Malcolm and Natasha Johnson

    She’s been a constant our entire lives. Every Queen’s Speech, she’s there, it’s such a comfort having someone like that. She was an inspiration – just her sense of duty. I mean, how do you follow that? Seventy years of total duty and dedication, and that’s got to be admired.

    Malcolm Johnson

    Both our families are from the Windrush generation, and so we were brought up with the Queen. To pay our respects is the last thing we could do for our parents, as well as for ourselves. To me she was the backbone of this country and she was the mother of so many people, including us. It’s a sad time for everyone and all of our friends, neighbours, colleagues at work, everyone is in mourning for her and will be for a long time yet. She’s the lady on the notes in my handbag, she’s on the stamps, she’s a constant in our lives and I think that’s why we’re so sad.

    Natasha Johnson

  18. 'Ma'am, I want a pet corgi'

    Sara Faulkner’s son wrote to the Queen in 2017 telling her he was hoping to persuade his mum to get a dog.

    Thomas with his "pet" corgi and letter from the QueenSarah Faulkner

    My youngest son Thomas wanted a corgi so he wrote a letter to the Queen. She wrote back to him and sent lots of information about how to care for a corgi.

    Thomas never got the dog but he has a letter from our inspirational Queen to cherish forever. We did buy him a toy corgi from [the] Buckingham Palace shop though. He put one of my glittery belts on it as a lead and we took it to one of the Golden Jubilee parties.

    Sarah Faulkner, Thomas's mum

  19. In pictures: Emotion grows outside the palace

    There have been hugs and tears from those paying tribute to the Queen outside Buckingham Palace.

    A woman comforts her child as they both embrace outside the palace next to flowers
    A couple comfort each other as they cry
    Michael Hull wears a red military blazer in honour of the Royal Family

  20. 'The end of an era'

    She was a person carrying her own dignity and personality. I do appreciate to have known her in my lifetime. Her death has marked the end of an era. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the UK. Please receive my condolences.

    Samuel Phillip, from Tanzania