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. Crocheted tributes appear on postboxes

    A crocheted tribute to the QueenLynn Clegg

    Lynn Clegg, from Walton near Wakefield, made this tribute

    Knitted and crocheted tributes have been appearing on postboxes in tributes to the Queen.

    Since her death a number have been decked out with special woolly tops.

    Many of the toppers feature images of the late monarch, her beloved corgis and an array of crowns.

    Lisa Jarmany, from Tydd St Mary in Lincolnshire, said she had always wanted to make a postbox topper and the announcement of the Queen's death had pushed her to do it.

    "It really made me think 'right, now I am going to get one done'."

    See more pictures of the tributes here.

  2. 'It was a really affirming moment'

    Paralympian Stef Reid is a track and field athlete for Great Britain. She remembers the moment she met the Queen:

    I have quite an iconic-looking artificial leg - it's carbon fibre and it doesn't have a cosmetic finish. I could tell when the Queen first walked up she flagged it and I was preparing myself for her to ask about it, but she didn't. She actually commented on my dress and how beautiful it was. We had a conversation about that. The way I interpreted that was that she flagged it but she knows that's not the most interesting thing about me and it was a really reaffirming moment."

    Stef Reid, from Loughborough

  3. 'She reminded me of my grandmother'

    Amma's letter from the Queen which thanked her for an iced biscuit and a card she sent to her one year it is signed by her lady in waitingAmma Prempeh

    Amma had regular correspondence with the Queen, who thanked her for an iced biscuit she sent to her one Christmas

    I met Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle back in 2018 as she attended church service at St George's Chapel. She briefly stopped, said hello and asked if I come here often. I said it was my first time visiting Windsor Castle. The Queen was lovely and reminded me of my grandmother. I was touched by her kindness and started writing to her from that day onwards. From that day I often travelled from London to Windsor to attend St George's Chapel's evening service."

    Amma Prempeh from London

  4. 'My Grannie was nervous about the curtsy'

    The Queen and Prince Philip being greeted by members of the British consulate in MoroccoBritish Consulate, Morocco

    Yvonne Belle-Isle's grandparents meeting the Queen and Prince Philip in Morocco

    My grandad William Pulleyblank and grannie Rose Pulleyblank met the Queen on her visit to Rabat, Morocco. My grandad was vice-consular at the British Consulate and said it was the proudest moment of his career. My grannie was nervous about the curtsy but it looks like she got it just right and the Queen was pleased."

    Yvonne Belle-Isle, Surrey

  5. We want to hear your stories

    For those of you just joining us, this is a space dedicated to your tributes, reflections and memories of Queen Elizabeth II.

    It doesn't matter how big or small they are, whether you met the Queen in person or whether you simply want to pay your respects - we want to hear from you.

    You can get in touch in the following ways:

  6. 'My grandparents were astounded to receive a card each year'

    My Grandparents are 96 and 95 years old and have been married for 76 years! They have always been astounded to receive a personalised anniversary card each year from the Queen for the last six years now. The below pictures are of my grandparents on their wedding day in 1946."

    Kate Reynolds

    The wedding of Cyril and Kathleen ConnewCyril and Kathleen Connew

    Cyril and Kathleen Connew have been married for 76 years.

  7. 'It looks like a professional picture'

    Queen, TorquayJanet Proctor

    The Queen and Prince Philip snapped by Janet Proctor in Torquay

    This photo was taken by my wife Janet with her brownie box camera and she was amazed at how it turned out. It was taken some time in the early 1960s in Torquay. She had gone to see the Queen with her mum and mum's sister.

    My wife is in a nursing home now but has treasured it all this time. She said as the car went past she just zoomed in and took the photo, and even though the car was moving it didn't blur. It looks like a professional picture."

    Alan and Janet Proctor, Barnsley

  8. 'I was so nervous, but she was lovely'

    Gemma Matthews (then Whitham), left, with her art teacher Miss Eccles (centre), presenting Gemma’s creation to the QueenGemma Matthews

    Gemma Matthews, then Whitham (left) presented, the Queen with her art sculpture. In 1997, the Queen came to the Royal School for the Deaf in Derby

    She came to Derby, to open the new Derby football stadium and visit the Royal School for the Deaf. I was so nervous to meet the Queen, but she was so lovely, lovely smile. It won’t be the same without her. God save the King Charles III. Gemma ❤️

    Gemma Matthews

  9. Brownies breaking barriers to meet the Queen

    I met the Queen when she opened our hospital in 1985. It said in the local paper that we broke through police barriers to give unofficial posies to the Queen. We were Brownies and had waited all afternoon to see her. She apologised for being late and asked us about our Brownie badges.

    She didn't seem to mind that we weren't really meant to be meeting her. I remember her beaming smile and relaxed manner with us. I am so proud of meeting her that day. I will always treasure this photograph.

    Pollyanna Shields, Cumbria

  10. 'One of the Queen's last celebratory messages'

    Patricia and James Willetts received a card from the Queen this week to congratulate them on their diamond wedding anniversary.

    Card from the QueenPatricia and James Willetts

    The 8 September 2022 will always be the day the Queen passed away. But it was also my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary, a landmark not often reached. They received this card on Wednesday and are now the owners of quite possibly, one of the Queen's last celebratory messages.

    They were very thrilled to receive the card. It arrived on Wednesday the day before the Queen passed away. They always had an affinity for the Queen. They’ve always liked the Queen. She always seemed very kind, very gentle and I think they were very touched to receive the card. Ever since they received the card they have been very proud of the card and have taken it everywhere with them to show people.”

    Granddaughter Beth Moore

  11. 'She was such a special person'

    I will be there at Westminster Hall, even if I have a 30-hour wait. I feel I have to be there. She was such a special person."

    Denise Galvan, who plans to see the Queen lying in state

    Painting by Denise GalvanDenise Galvan

    Denise Galvan painted Her Majesty with her guard

  12. 'There was this twinkle in her eye'

    She stopped and had time to listen to people. Children with special needs or been treated for cancer - she would almost stop her aides from moving her onto the next person because she genuinely cared and wanted to find out more. I remember every time I met her there was this twinkle in her eye, this sparkle this life that was there."

    Matt Rooney, a volunteer with the Scout Association in Nottinghamshire

  13. The Queen has always had a close affinity with the people of Kenya and visited there quite often. I still remember growing up when she was visiting, we were all turned out in our best school uniforms, and greeting her in the streets. The Queen has always been part of the family, it is a sad sad loss, not only to the United Kingdom but to the Commonwealth and the world."

    Balu Madhvani, Bodmin, originally from Kenya

  14. 'Thank you for being our Queen'

    Girl laying flowersNicola Redford

    My daughter Eleanor, turned six years old, two days before the Queen passed away. She absolutely adores the Queen and was very saddened to hear the news of her death.

    We aren’t able to get to London to lay flowers so we have laid some at the memorial in our village as a sign of our appreciation for her service.

    Nicola Redford, Lincolnshire

  15. As a young man I was proud to play a part at the official opening ceremony of the Humber Bridge by the Queen in 1981. I recall the overwhelming show of affection and respect for her on that day, a feeling she encountered wherever she went in her many decades of service. She will remain in our hearts forever."

    Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside Jonathan Evison

  16. 'She looked like a movie star'

    Princess Elizabeth at the 1946 National EisteddfodGetty Images

    My first impression of her was that she looked like a movie star. She was very, very beautiful, elegant... she was an absolute knock-out star. The other impression I had of her was the high-pitched voice. I'd never heard people speaking like that, in south Wales, you didn't hear people speaking in that way at all. It was very sort of cut glass."

    Cardiff-born journalist Brian Hoey, who was 12 and helping to put up marquees when the young princess was invested as an honorary bard at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Mountain Ash in 1946.

  17. Memories of the Queen's father's funeral

    “I was a guard of honour at King George VI’s funeral in 1952. I was 21 and had just joined the Royal Air Force. We were given basic training or square bashing such as to rest on your arms reverse which is when you have your rifle upside down and you rest on the handle.

    I lined the route and saw Prince Philip, King Edward VIII, the Duke of Gloucester, and then Princess Margaret, Elizabeth and their mother. The crowd was enormous. It was an honour to have been chosen.

    Barry Collings, Warwickshire

  18. Chelsea Pensioner Charlie Farley

    It was an honour to be selected. I worked as a bodyguard for her at investitures, functions, Windsor Castle. There were a number of us that would be in attendance, in state dress, and we would be on duty for the time that she was there. She didn’t speak to us personally, we were doing our jobs. I was lucky to have attended 11 Olympic Games, both Summer and Winter. After the games, there was a function at the palace and I was lucky to talk to her. I haven’t got a clue what she said, I was just standing there in awe.”

    Chelsea Pensioner Charlie Farley, who served in the Queen’s bodyguard for 15 years

  19. 'She was a champion of African independence'

    I am sending my condolences to the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of nations, of which my country Sierra Leone is a part. My prayers are with her family and the globe at large. Queen Elizabeth II visited my city and my secondary school, the Bo Government Secondary School, decades before I was born. She will be remembered as a champion of African independence."

    Kansu Mansaray from Bo City, Sierra Leone

  20. 'I took my doll with me to see the Queen'

    Jane Hansen meeting the Queen in BathWestern Gazette

    In 1977 it was the Silver Jubilee and we were on holiday in Bath. I took my doll with me to see the Queen. The little boy next to me gave her a rose and the Queen said: “No-one will have any flowers left in their gardens today.” I always remember the day after when my Dad saw this photo on the front page of the newspaper. What fond memories of my father and his delight this photo has continued to give me for many years."

    Jane Hansen, Nuneaton