Tributes paid to HM Queen Elizabeth II as communities prepare mourning arrangements

Public figures and politicians in Wales have paid tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II following news of her death yesterday.

Wales First Minister, Mark Drakeford said: “It is with great sadness that people in Wales mourn the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her long and exceptional life, as our longest reigning monarch, Her Majesty has reigned over the United Kingdom and Commonwealth firmly upholding the values and traditions of the British Monarchy.

“We pay tribute to Her Majesty’s dedication and selfless devotion. She will be sorely missed by the many organisations for which she was Patron or President.

“We offer our sincere condolences to her children and their families on this sad occasion.”

Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies paid tribute to the “unrivalled impact” she made on people across the world. 

Mr Davies said, “The sad news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing will touch many families not just in the United Kingdom, but also across the Commonwealth and the world. 

“Many of us will not have known another Head of State of our great country. 

“For many, she has been as much a part of our families as those who gather each day around the family table. 

“Today, there will be an empty chair around those tables, as many will reflect on her 70-year reign and a lifetime of public service. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family at this sad time. 

“In the fullness of time, our sadness will give way to the sunshine of memories that her reign has brought to our lives and our great country.    

“In the immediate days following on from this sad news, we must unite in our grief and take strength that our country and the Commonwealth are better places today for her long reign and life of public service.”

Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said: “The Queen’s reign saw a period of immense change for Wales. Her sense of duty was recognised by millions, and she will be remembered as a figure who provided stability during times of crisis.

“On behalf of Plaid Cymru, I extend my deepest condolences to the Royal Family.”

Council leaders and civic dignitaries across Wales have also given their own tributes.

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Of West Glamorgan, Mrs Louise Fleet CStJ JP said: “On behalf of the people of Swansea, we want to express our great sadness on hearing the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

“The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a moment of profound sadness for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Her Majesty has been the head of a worldwide family of over two and a half billion people and her passing ends a remarkable reign. She has been a symbol of steadfast loyalty, strength and constancy as she carried out her pledge of lifelong service which she made as a young woman.    

“Supported by her strong Christian faith, service and duty have been Her Majesty’s guiding principles and she has never faltered or failed us; she has given us her heart and her devotion.

“Alongside her constitutional role, Her Majesty has been a central figure in her own family. The Queen married Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947 calling him her ‘strength and stay’; they were inseparable. A mother in the early years that followed, then grandmother and in the past decade Her Majesty experienced the joy of her great-grandchildren.

“An inspirational leader, admired and respected throughout the world for her wisdom, dignity and grace. Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations saw the nation come together to express its love and admiration for our longest reigning Monarch.

“As we mourn Her Majesty, we also give thanks for her lifetime of selfless service.

“I wish to extend my deepest condolences to all members of The Royal Family. May they find comfort and strength from their friends and from the love, admiration and respect expressed for Her Majesty by the nation and from across the world.

“I now offer my full support and loyalty to His Majesty The King.”

Leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart issued a joint statement with the Lord Mayor of Swansea and announced the opening of a book of condolence.

“On behalf of the people of Swansea, we want to express our great sadness on hearing the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Alongside many other communities in Wales and around the world, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family at this time.

“Flags are flying at half-mast on all civic buildings this evening. They will be raised to full mast Saturday 10 September at 11.00am for the proclamation in London. They will return to half-mast at 2.45pm on Sunday after the proclamation has been read out locally and remain at half-mast until 8.00am on the day after the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen.

“We are inviting the public to sign books of condolence available at the Civic Centre from 9.00am to 5.00pm (Monday – Friday) and 9.00am – 12 noon on Saturdays. An electronic book of condolence has also been opened online at http://www.swansea.gov.uk/bookofcondolence  

“Along with our communities, the Council will be observing the National Period of Mourning and official meetings will begin with a period of silence.”

The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, Councillor Robert Wood and the Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Councillor Steve Hunt, paid tribute following the announcement by Buckingham Palace of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Cllr. Robert Wood, Mayor of Neath Port Talbot said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty. I know that many people have never known life without the Queen as our sovereign, and that many will feel a personal sense of grief at this time, as do I.

“Throughout her long reign, she displayed a remarkable sense of duty and a devotion to her people that never faltered.

“On behalf of all the people of Neath Port Talbot I extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to members of the Royal Family.”

Cllr. Steve Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council also expressed his condolences.

Cllr. Hunt said: “For more than seven decades Her Majesty, The Queen served this country and the Commonwealth with dignity, grace and untiring devotion. This is a time of great sorrow and her loss will be felt, not just here in the United Kingdom, but all over the World.

“As a mark of respect, flags at civic buildings throughout the county borough will be flown at half-mast. Books of condolence will be opened at the civic centres in Port Talbot and Neath, and at Pontardawe Library.”

In addition, an online book of condolence has also been published.

Members of the public are invited to attend proclamation proceedings, which will commence on Sunday (11.9.22) on the front steps of the Civic Centre in Port Talbot with the observation of two minutes silence. Following this the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan will call upon the High Sheriff of West Glamorgan to make the official Proclamation.

The Books of Condolence will be open from 08.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs Monday to Sunday and will remain open until 18.00 on the day following the funeral.

The council added that if members of the public in Neath Port Talbot wish to lay floral tributes in memory of Her Majesty, they may do so outside the main Civic Centre building at Port Talbot, in Victoria Gardens in Neath and at Pontardawe Arts Centre.

Chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Rob Evans said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of The Queen and on behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council and residents we extend our deepest sympathies to The Royal Family.

“Her Majesty the Queen was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and truly was the Queen of Queen’s.

“As a mark of respect flags have been lowered to half-mast at Carmarthen’s County Hall, Llanelli Town Hall and Ammanford Town Hall. Blue flags at Cefn Sidan Beach and Pendine Beach have also been lowered.”

Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman, Cllr Pat Davies expressed sadness atlearning of the death of Her Majesty The Queen and said that flags are flying at half-mast at County Hall, Haverfordwest and Haverfordwest Castle.

Cllr Davies said: “I would like to pass on my condolences, those of the entire Council and the people of Pembrokeshire to The Royal Family on this saddest of days.

“We have always known this day would come but it does not make it any less painful.

“For millions of people, as our longest reigning monarch, Her Majesty has been a constant and reassuring figure in our lives.

“We are thankful for her many decades of public service and the example she set.”

Pembrokeshire County Council will open Books of Condolence tomorrow (Friday September 9th) at County Hall, Haverfordwest and at Fishguard Town Hall. The Books of Condolence will be open 9am-5pm during normal office hours.

The Mayor and Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council have also paid tribute on behalf of the local community.

Councillor Martyn Jones, Mayor of Bridgend County Borough said: “

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of our longest-reigning British monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

While her passing is an enormous loss to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, she leaves behind a lasting legacy of strength and inspiration.

On behalf of the people of Bridgend County Borough, we send our heartfelt sympathies to His Majesty King Charles and the Royal Family.

Councillor Huw David, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, said: “Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II served crown and country with selfless devotion.

“Following her sad death, a formal period of national mourning is now in place, and as a mark of respect, flags at the Civic Offices in Angel Street, Bridgend are being flown at half-mast.

“We will be making further announcements in coming days, and our thoughts and condolences remain with the Royal Family during this sad time.”