AS A period of mourning envelops the district, tributes have been paid to the late Queen Elizabeth II who passed away yesterday evening (Thursday).
Warwick District Council said it was deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty The Queen’s death.
This morning the council’s Chair, Vice-Chairman, Leader and Chief Executive led the district’s tributes by signing a formal book of condolence which has now been opened to the public in the Royal Pump Rooms, and laid flowers in Jephson Gardens.
During the period of national mourning, the flag at the Town Hall has been lowered to half-mast and will remain in that position until 8am on the day after the funeral.
The Chair of the Council, Coun Mini Kaur Mangat, has written a letter to the Private Secretary to the Queen on behalf of the council and the people of Warwick district to convey condolences and to send deepest sympathy to the Royal Family.
Coun Mini Kaur Mangat said: “The loss of our sovereign will be felt deeply by the whole community, and we recognise that many will wish to join us in paying tribute to the remarkable life and service of Her Majesty The Queen.”
Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western wrote on his Twitter page: “A great many people in Warwick and Leamington will want to express their condolences to the Royal Family. Indeed, her passing is a moment that will be felt around the world: it seemed she stood above Presidents and Prime Ministers.
“If ever there was a World Queen, she was it.”
The Royal Shakespeare Company, of which the Queen was a patron, also paid tribute this morning (Friday).
RSC Executive Director Catherine Mallyon and RSC Acting Artistic Director Erica Whyman said: “We are deeply saddened at the news of the Queen’s death, and our thoughts are with her family, and particularly our President, HRH The Prince of Wales. Her Majesty the Queen has been Patron of the Royal Shakespeare Company since 1961, when the Company was created.
“Her Majesty last visited us in Stratford on 4 March 2011, to open formally the transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This was a memorable day in the history of the RSC where she met and talked with members of the Company and those involved in the redevelopment and transformation of the theatre.
“It was a great pleasure for us to rehearse with HRH The Prince of Wales in preparation for his poetic tribute to his mother on her 90th birthday in 2016. We were honoured to be part of such a special moment.
“Shakespeare’s Henry VIII contains a prophecy by Archbishop Cranmer about the baby princess Elizabeth I:
She shall be, to the happiness of England,
An aged princess; many days shall see her,
And yet no day without a deed to crown it.
“Translated to our times, Elizabeth II sought the happiness of England with her steadfast service, certainly lived many days, and did a great deed on every one.”
Members of Warwickshire County Council (WCC) paid tribute to the Queen in an online book of condolences.
WCC Chairman Coun Dave Humphreys said: “It is with great sorrow that Warwickshire County Council receives the announcement of the death of HRH The Queen Elizabeth II.”
WCC Leader Coun Izzi Seccombe wrote on behalf of the council and the Conservative Group: “It is with great sadness that we have learned today of the death of Her Royal Highness, The Queen.”
While WCC Chief Executive Monica Fogarty said:”On behalf of all the staff at Warwickshire County Council, I send our deepest condolences to His Majesty, King Charles III and the Royal Family at this saddest of times.”
Others who added their condolences were WCC’s Leader of the Green Group, Coun Jonathan Chilvers, who said: “On behalf of the Green Group, I offer my sincere condolences to the Royal Family following the sad news of the death of Her Royal Highness.”
Coun Jerry Roodhouse, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, wrote: “Queen Elizabeth II leaves a legacy of dedication to public service that is an inspiration to all.”
Coun John Holland, Leader of the Labour Group at WCC, said: “On behalf of the Labour Group, I extend our sympathies to the Royal Family at the loss of a remarkable monarch.”
Coun Judy Falp from Whitnash Residents Association said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family on the death of Her Royal Highness, The Queen.”
Chair of Warwick District United Nations Association, Gian Clare, said: “We are deeply saddened at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and we extend our sincere condolences to her bereaved family, the Government and people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations over which Her Majesty reigned for seven decades.
“The local UN Association like to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II for her unwavering, lifelong dedication to serving her people, the peoples of fifty-six nations of the Commonwealth and the wider international community.
“Her Majesty was deeply committed to the ideals and principles of the United Nations and what the Organization represent. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said of Queen Elizabeth II “‘Reassuring presence’ throughout decades of ‘sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and evolution of the Commonwealth”. Her Majesty and was a good friend of the United Nations and had addressed the UN General Assembly on several occasions during her reign.
“As chairperson of the local UN Association, I personally had the honour and the privilege of meeting Her Majesty including Prince Philip, Prince Andrew, and King Charles III in July 2001 at Her Majesty`s Garden Party. I was nominated to attend by Chairman of Warwickshire County Council in recognition of my commitment and service to the United Nations Association and to the county council.”
Chair of West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust, Prof Ian Cumming paid tribute.
He said: “Her Majesty The Queen has been a part of all of our lives during her reign spanning 70 years and has had an enormous impact on our country for the past seven decades. For our staff, this is indeed a sad day and one that will make us all reflect on the extraordinary life that she has led.”
Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, added: “We are all deeply saddened to hear that Her Majesty The Queen has passed away. We join the rest of the country and people across the world in sending our condolences to the Royal Family at this time of immense and profound grief for our nation.”
Stay tuned to The Leamington Observer website today for information on where you can pay personal tribute to the Queen in the district.
