MPs pay tribute following death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96

Buckingham Palace announced Her Majesty passed peacefully at her home in Balmoral, Scotland, on September 8.

MPs have been among the many people to pay tribute to her.

Mansfield MP Coun Ben Bradley, also Nottinghamshire Council leader, said: “I’ve never been lucky enough to meet her, but I’ve been in rooms with her and you could really feel her presence as she moved around the room.

“She held the room and everyone’s attention, she was an incredible woman and we will never again see that diligence, that dutiful nature and commitment and everything she immortalised in our country’s history.

“With the end of one era starts a new one and we now have a king.

“It’s something we’re going to have to get used to saying, to some extent, and King Charles will want to step into that space and provide continuity to people in these challenging times.”

In a formal statement, released by the council, he said: “The passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, marks the end of an era.“She has been the one constant throughout many decades of immeasurable change and progress for the nation, and across Britain many of us looked to her as a truly great and inspirational leader, for security and for hope in difficult times.

“While I’ve been lucky enough to have attended events with the Queen, I’ve never met her directly, but still I – and I think many of us – feel a huge connection with her and that we know her. She has been a source of great pride, and a model of duty and service for everyone throughout our entire lives.

“I think in recent years her interventions during Covid in particular, when she told us that ‘we will meet again’, lifted spirits and brought hope to a lot of people.“It’s an incredibly sad day, and my thoughts are with her family who have to bear the weight of both mourning the loss of their mother, their grandmother - the figurehead and mainstay of their family – but also now adhere to the sensibilities, the traditions and protocols of office, through their own grief.“That must be incredibly challenging, and my heart goes out to them.

“The end of any era, of the Elizabethan age, also marks the start of a new one. King Charles III is our new monarch and Head of State.“I look forward to pledging my allegiance to him and to Britain in Parliament.

“The world continues to turn and the country faces many and complex challenges, and I know and trust that King Charles, who has increasingly been acting for and supporting his mother in recent months and years, will continue to provide that constant presence and that sense of continuity for the country.

“In practical terms, both locally and nationally, well-rehearsed plans are in place and will now be rolled out over the coming days.

“A Book of Remembrance is open at County Hall, and at other Councils around the county, and I invite members of the public to come and sign it, or to lay flowers at the memorial by the front entrance if they wish to pay their respects in that way.”

Paying tribute, Lee Anderson, Ashfield MP, said: “It's been a tough few years for our great country, but you cannot possibly measure the loss of our Queen.

“For more than 70 years, she has served the United Kingdom and Commonwealth with great passion and dignity.

“Our Queen’s passing is a loss to the whole world and my thoughts are with the Royal Family.”

Mark Spencer, Sherwood MP, said: “The saddest of all days for our country and our people. Rest in peace Queen Elizabeth II.

“Your service and dedication to our nation will never be forgotten.

“My thoughts are with the Royal family at this time.”

Mark Fletcher, Bolsover MP, said: “The passing of the Queen is an extremely sad moment for the people of the United Kingdom and a significant point in British history.

“A steadfast servant to our nation for more than 70 years, she has been a constant in the lives of us all; many of us have only known one monarch and her passing leaves a huge void.

“Even up until just a few days ago, she was discharging her Constitutional duties, such was her dedication to the position she assumed in 1952. Repeatedly during her reign, she had rededicated her commitment to her roles as monarch and head of the Commonwealth.

“There has never been a monarch who emulated the longevity of a reign that only months ago marked its Platinum Jubilee. I was honoured to attend so many events to mark the occasions across Bolsover constituency marking an extraordinary reign and the affection which was shown for the Queen was amazing.

“Many will have personal memories of meeting or seeing the Queen, be that on visits to the area over the years or other events.

“None of us will forget her tremendous sense of humour and zest for life. Her role with James Bond in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games was a great highlight, as was her more recent appearance with Paddington Bear during the Jubilee celebrations in June.

“Supported by her devoted husband, Philip, until only last year, my thoughts are with her family at this sad time as they mourn the loss of a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

“May she rest in peace and God Save the King.”