Queen Elizabeth II: Kent pays tribute

  • Published
The Queen in MargateImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The Queen visited Margate in 2011

Religious leaders, politicians and military personnel from Kent have been paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death at Balmoral on Thursday.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said the Queen could make anyone she met feel like they were the only person in the room.

Praising the time she devoted to public service, the Archbishop said: "There were hundreds of events every year which she attended.

"Everyone she spoke to felt that they were the only person there."

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

In June, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby presented the Queen with a special "Canterbury Cross" for her "unstinting" service to the Church of England

Capt David Cole, from Kingsdown, spent five years on the Royal Yacht Britannia with the Royal family.

Royal Marines from the School of Music based in Deal staffed the royal yacht, and Capt Cole was made Director of Music on board in the years before the ship was decommissioned in 1997.

He said when the Royal Family sat down to dinner, four members of crew were invited to join them.

"Because I was on there for five years I dined four times with Her Majesty, literally sitting next to my monarch," he said.

Image source, AFP
Image caption,

Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned in 1997

The Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Bella Colgrain, the monarch's official representative in the county, said: "Her Majesty has been a rock of stability.

"We remember her visits to Kent and Medway, often accompanied by her late husband His Royal Highness, and wherever they went in the county Her Majesty had the innate ability to make everyone feel special."

Kent MPs have also been paying tribute.

Sir Roger Gale, MP for North Thanet, spoke in the House of Commons.

He said: "For 70 years this great lady has been my lodestar, my monarch.

"The twinkle in those beautiful eyes and the smile that is now lighting up heaven. May she rest in peace."

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Sir Roger Gale MP

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Sir Roger Gale MP

Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and The Weald, said: "Her grace, her warmth and her smile embraced us all. Thank you ma'am for everything."

Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins said: "During her long reign she remained, in a changing world, a constant example of duty and service to her people."

The Queen paid many visits to Kent and Medway during her reign including a tour of the Medway Towns in 1984, the opening of the QEII Bridge at Dartford in 1991 and the Channel Tunnel in 1994.

Media caption,

The Queen's visits to the South East

In 2011 she visited Turner Contemporary art gallery in Margate, and she opened The Wing Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne in 2015.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The Queen unveiled a plaque at the National Memorial to the Few in March 2015

Chief Constable of Kent Police Alan Pughsley said: "The police service has a very special affection for the Sovereign, as office holders under The Crown, and this sad news unites the policing family in grief."

The leader of Kent County Council, Roger Gough, said; "Her Majesty has been a part of all our lives. A constant, reassuring presence in both good and troubled times."

Leader of Medway Council Alan Jarrett said: "Medway has been fortunate to welcome Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II during her reign, including to open the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham, to inaugurate the universities at Medway in Chatham with The Duke of Edinburgh, and to visit Brompton Barracks in Chatham as part of her role as Honorary Colonel-in-Chief to the Royal Engineers.

"She will be deeply missed."

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, external, on Twitter, external, and on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.