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
Image source, Keith HansonQuote MessagePeople would freeze or be unable to speak. They'd be quivering wrecks. But the Queen was always very good at recognising that. She would very quickly make people feel welcome. She would give their hand a nice little squeeze and look them straight in the eye."
Keith Hanson, a former Yeoman of the Guard
Image source, Suresh AboodasSuresh recieved a thank you letter after he sent the Queen a letter of condolence
Quote MessageI have always corresponded with the Queen. I have written letters to her for her Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee celebrations, as well as her birthdays. She always took time to reply to me. I sent a letter of condolence to her Majesty on the passing away of her husband the Duke of Edinburgh and she once again replied. My family and I will always treasure her letters. She will be very much missed. May her soul rest in peace."
Suresh Aboodas, London
Image source, PA MediaIslamic leader Abid Khan has reflected on the day "history was made" when the Queen visited a mosque in Scunthorpe.
The 2002 visit to the town's Islamic Centre was the first time the Queen had set foot inside a British mosque.
Quote MessageWe felt recognised. History was made that day. People still talk about it. I remember clearly talking to her for a few minutes. Obviously, there were a lot of people and lots going on. All of us, of all faith and non-faith, will remember Her Majesty's legacy of public service and celebrate her achievements."
Abid Khan, chairman of the North Lincolnshire Multi-Faith Partnership
Gwendolyn Hoare thought her chances of receiving a 100th birthday card from Queen Elizabeth II were gone when the monarch died on 8 September.
But to her surprise one came through the post on Friday, a day before her birthday, making her one of the last people to receive a card from the Queen.
Gwendolyn's niece wrote to BBC News about the special message.
"My Aunt, Gwendolyn Betty Hoare, is 100 today. For decades she talked about receiving a telegram from the Queen and was devastated to hear the news... but her telegram arrived and she was ecstatic," she told journalist Victoria Park.
Our correspondent David Sillito went to meet Gwendolyn - watch her tearfully describing how much the card means to her.
Watch: 100-year-old gets surprise royal telegram day after Queen's death
Image source, Mark FlexmanQuote MessageI remember seeing the Queen and Prince Philip whilst volunteering at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. I ran across the site to the service road to wave goodbye as they left. I was the only one there so felt quite special when Her Majesty waved at me."
Mark Flexman, Dorset
Image source, Roses WallRoses Wall was three when she met the Queen in Nepal
Quote MessageI was the three-year-old flower girl ready to meet the Queen in 1961. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had come to see the Gurkha pensioners in Pokhara, Nepal. My parents worked as missionairies at the time at a hospital there and were invited to meet her at the airport."
Roses Wall, Essex
Image source, Hannah DrakeTwo-year-old William Drake dressed up as a royal guard to pay his respects
Quote MessageOur son William, two years old, has taken a real interest in the royals and particularly, the royal guard. We visited London in August and bought him a royal guard outfit from the Tower of London. William has been watching the events over the last couple of days. He raced to dress up in his royal uniform to join the guards with their duties, processions and traditions when on television, and to join in on their marches. We are so proud of him and the respect he has paid to both the passions of Queen Elizabeth II, but also to King Charles III."
Hannah Drake, William's mum, Lancashire
Image source, Stuart BowkettThe Queen in Salford in 2012, where she officially opened Media City
Quote MessageI had the pleasure to meet the Queen at Media City in Salford. I was not in the best of moods that day but meeting her instantly brought a smile and warmth to me - it was magical. The Queen brings out the best in everyone in the UK and around the world. I, for one, will miss her. Rest in peace, Your Majesty."
Stuart Bowkett from Salford
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 her 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:
Emilia, nine, with Esme, seven, says the Queen "was brilliant"
Thousand of people attended a ceremony on Sunday to mark the proclamation of King Charles III in Cardiff, and to pay tribute to the Queen.
"The Queen has been our Queen since I was born and I wanted to pay my respects to her because she was brilliant," said nine-year-old Emilia.
Rob Nolan, 34, was also at the ceremony laying flowers for the Queen, and said he would never forget meeting her while working for British Airways.
"She brought people together, and there is a sense of unity and pride," he said. "I was delighted to meet her and I will never forget that day."
Image source, IssyIssy, 24, in Manchester says she and her flatmates were "glued to the TV" on Thursday to hear news of the Queen.
"As soon as it was announced, I couldn't believe it," she says, "it was a weird moment... We thought she was going to go on forever."
Speaking to Radio 5 Live, she says her family are big royalists and have always travelled to the Mall for big royal events.
"I've had the opportunity to see her a couple of times waving on the Mall and at Ascot," she says, "she's a happy memory of my childhood."
Quote MessageI have sung for the Queen many times, at the Thistle Service, for the Anniversary of the United Nations in Westminster Hall and in the choir at the 60th Anniversary of her opening of The Robin Chapel in Edinburgh, in memory of her WW2 personal bodyguard Robin Tudsbery of the Blues & Royals, who was killed in the last few days of the war in Belgium. She was intensely moved as she remembered her loyal friend and protector."
Simon Filsell
Quote MessageIn 1988 my parents, my sister and I were invited to the Buckingham Palace Garden party. I was 18 and about to get my A-Level results the next day. Whilst having our tea and cakes in the palace garden, a man approached us and asked if we would like to be presented to the Queen. We said yes we would. A pathway was cleared and one or two couples were asked to step forward before us. Then our names were called out to the Queen.
Image source, Elizabeth BurkeElizabeth and her sister were presented to the Queen in 1988 at a garden party
Quote MessageWe stepped forward as she approached. She spoke to each of us in turn, starting with my dad and ending with me. I was so nervous as I curtsied and smiled at her. She was much smaller than I was expecting, but so gentle and friendly. She asked what I did and I told her I hoped to go to university if my grades were ok. She smiled at me and said with a little chuckle: ‘Oh those awful A-Levels.'"
Elizabeth Burke from Hertfordshire
Image source, Tamsin DayTamsin Day's late mother was born the same year as the Queen and was seen as a "constant" to them both
Quote MessageI was born in 1965 and her majesty has been a constant. My mother was always proud to say she was the same age as the Queen although Her Majesty outlived her by many years. She has touched so many with her commitment to different causes. Her love of horses was lovely and I heard Monty Roberts speaking so lovingly of her as she encouraged his techniques in the UK. She will be sadly missed. I was surprised at my emotions but I feel like I have lost a special friend who has always been in my life."
Image source, Family submissionCathy Douglas dressed in red, white and blue for the Queen
Quote MessageI was six years old during Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee and living in Islington in London. There was great excitement when it was announced that the Queen's Jubilee tour of the capital would take her past our school. Our principal, Miss Robson, got us all to make red, white and blue hats and dress in patriotic colours. She had a special silver hat with crepe paper tassels which was worthy of a head teacher. Parents came to join in this momentous occasion and my mum brought her camera to record it. She wanted to take a picture of me in my hat but unfortunately, when I'd come out to meet her, I'd left it in the classroom. Unperturbed, she saw Miss Robson's hat by the door and told me to put it on. I was terrified of the headteacher coming out and being furious when she saw me wearing her special hat but I managed a nervous smile for the camera before hurriedly putting it back and retrieving mine from the classroom.
Quote MessageWhen the time came, we all lined the pavement outside our school and waved our union jacks. We saw Her Majesty's car coming towards us on the opposite side of the road which was also crowded with members of the public. When the Queen became aware of us school children in our hats, waving our flags, she instructed her driver to come over to our side and we caught a glimpse of her smiling face with her hand raised waving to us. It really was a special moment, Queen Elizabeth II noticed us ordinary children and went out of her way to acknowledge us. I've never forgotten this gesture."
Cathy Douglas from Cambridge
Image source, Family submissionCathy, between the flags, watching and waiting for The Queen
Image source, Family submissionA glimpse of the Queen in the back of the royal car
Image source, Helen Dalling from Milton KeynesThe Queen landed in the field behind Helen Dalling's house in 2017 whilst she was cooking her family dinner
Quote MessageI saw the Queen in person three times in my life. Most recently in 2017 when her helicopter landed in the playing field behind my house as she was visiting the FCO at Hanslope Park. A totally unexpected & unpublicised visit. I was cooking dinner for my kids, who were then aged 11 & 6, and my phone starting pinging texts and ringing. It was my friends saying “The Queen is landing in your back garden!!!!” I grabbed the kids and ran round there to catch a glimpse of her & Prince Philip. I didn’t even stop to turn off the cooker or shut the front door. I remember telling my children that this might be the only time they’ll ever see her in their lifetime."
Helen Dalling
Quote MessageWe went to Windsor to lay flowers, and then saw the barriers going up. After around three hours of waiting, Harry and Meghan came to shake our hands. They were going along the front row to shake hands with everyone, but for us they stopped and had a little conversation. They were asking about ourselves, and what we were doing. They asked us how we felt about the Queen and we were just saying we felt it was important to lay flowers because obviously it was the an end of an era and we wanted to show respect. We were so shocked we got to speak to them and it really meant a lot. It was so lovely, they really took their time. They cared about what we were saying. They seemed quite pleased to see we were there. And they didn’t seem sad, just quite solemn."
Eleanor Lyles from Thatcham
Quote MessageThey were both really nice. I didn’t think we’d get that much of a conversation with them, so I was very shocked and happy to see them. I wanted to go to Windsor to pay respect to the Queen. It’s been really upsetting and strange to see how different it is now."
Lexie Hackman from Thatcham
Image source, Amanda HackmanHarry and Meghan talking to Eleanor and Lexie, both aged 14, at Windsor
Image source, Amanda HackmanHarry and Meghan spoke to well-wishers waiting patiently at the barriers
Quote MessageI had the great privilege of carrying the cross at the Duke of Windsor's funeral at St George's chapel in 1972. My memory of the Queen that day is of her, sitting in the same seat she sat in for her own husband's funeral so many years later, next to the Duchess of Windsor. Both veiled and in black, neither speaking; just staring ahead at the Duke's coffin in front of them. Dignified, and doing the right thing, as always. I was looking at her across the coffin, where she will lie next Monday.
Andrew Price from Buckinghamshire
Image source, Alice SavageAlice pictured with her mother Jennifer who also stayed at Balmoral and had correspondence with the Queen expressing her love and gratitude
Quote MessageI was fortunate to work at Balmoral as a school leaver, which was my first job. During that time l was introduced to Her Majesty, and as so often expressed, she was well informed, warm and good humoured. I have such gratitude for that time in my life and now also privileged to have served within our Armed forces and Civil service. Sincere thanks Your Majesty.
Alice Savage from Perthshire
Image source, Sue BeckettGwendolyn Betty Hoare receiving her 100th birthday telegram.
Quote MessageMy Aunt, Gwendolyn Betty Hoare, is 100 today [10/09/22]. For decades she talked about receiving a telegram from the Queen and was devastated to hear the news… but her telegram arrived [on Friday] and she was ecstatic.
Sue Beckett from Essex
Quote MessageI think I am very privileged to have it. And I - being a royalist which I am - very much admired her and all she did. So when she went it was a sad moment but she didn’t go before she sent me this. I wasn’t sure that I would get it but I was thrilled when I did.
Gwendolyn Hoare