The Queen…

To be honest, I believe she had already passed away when they began to broadcast the fact 'her doctors were with her' and the royals were converging. Although basically left wing I do support the monarchy for they are powerfully symbolic of an ideal that is 'Britain' (at least some of them are). I have never known any other monarch in my lifetime, and I feel tremendously sad. I, too, assumed she would make 100. She was a wonderful woman and her high standards are/were exemplary, and rare. This is the end of an era and although she had no 'real' power, I think it is worrying for stability. (One can't help thinking up jokes to the effect the poor lady couldn't survive Truss!)

Wow!That’s breathtaking.

At heart I am a Republican. However I do believe that for the foreseeable future the UK is best served by a monarchy. There are checks and balances in the system we have at present which aim to prevent the abuse of power by an individual and which protect the personal freedoms we hold dear. With the recent furore accompanying the election of a new Conservative party leader, I dread to think how a presidential election would pan out! And then a Head of State with executive powers or not? I regret the elitist class system which promotes division in society but even Republics have a variety of this! Best keep as it is at the moment provided our monarch shows the same dedication and moral integrity as our late lamented Queen. A little more egalitarian approach as per Scandinavian royalty would be welcome though!

I haven't heard Keir Starmer's speech yet, but will try to catch up with it. I read Boris Johnson's and thought this sentence got it right: "In the hearts of all Britons there is an ache at the passing of our queen, a deep and personal sense of loss — far more intense, perhaps, than we expected.

Spot on, I didn't expect to feel so sad.

Another one I heard on Radio 2 was from an ex-serviceman. He remembered how, to them, she was always "the Boss" and he finished by saying "Rest easy. Duty done." That brought tears to my eyes.

Teresa May has malfunctioned

Beautiful Maddyone

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, I hope I've got that right. Her middle names were also Duty and Service. Rest in Peace Ma'am.

GrannyGray13 Lovely

Theresa May's speech was praised, rightly in my opinion, as heartwarming by Ed Davey as he got up to speak. It was another to catch, the character of the Queen and what many of us are feeling.

An extraordinary woman who has been a constant to so many people. I am hearing such wonderful stories about her and will miss her very much. The timely and stunning rainbow says so much.

Thank you for showing that Granny Gravy. I have just had a message from my son in Australia. He says:

Incredibly and uniquely British (or perhaps Puruvian) that of all the tributes, Paddington said it the best. "Thank you, Ma'am, for everything".

Sometimes the simplest says it all.

Tel Aviv City Hall

Again

No idea what is going on with my iPad, sorry folks.

It always happens GG, you just have to wait a while
Lovely photos, thank you

I thought Boris got it right as well, his words resonated with me. Paddington was spot on too.

The BBC had a blip too GG13. Your iPad is in good company.

96 a grand age for anyone ,rip. great speech by keirs starmer

I am full if admiration for a ninety-six year old woman who, despite being terminally ill, got dressed and held two meetings so that the new PM could be seamlessly installed. RIP Queen Elizabeth.

She may not have been 'terminally ill'. I reckon she's been having mini strokes hence last minute cancellations from time to time. Then a major stroke carried her off peacefully. I've seen that happen so often.

When I was born there was a king on the throne...a year later our wonderful Queen came to the throne. She became the constant in my life and the majority of the people of this country... She had the respect of people around the world. This was not because she was a Queen but because she was an amazing person. I have a candle burning for her...I think millions of candles will be burning for her around the world... We loved her and now we mourn her... Her precious soul flies free xxc

Well said Theoddbird it is the same for me, except I had two years under The Queen’s Father’s reign.

Aveline

She may not have been 'terminally ill'. I reckon she's been having mini strokes hence last minute cancellations from time to time. Then a major stroke carried her off peacefully. I've seen that happen so often.

That is what I thought, too. It happened to my mother. I wonder if we’ll be told what happened?

twitter.com/davidmackau/status/1567894552744271872?utm_term=631ad28c5664e77eb03fab8907f076c5&utm_campaign=FirstEdition&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=firstedition_email

This is a beautiful story. I’m really sad, but also incredibly grateful - Queen Elizabeth II has been an exemplar of duty and commitment to the people of the Commonwealth.

Rest in eternal peace with your beloved husband Queen Elizabeth.

Maddy and family xxx