People from across Leeds have been paying tribute to the Queen after Buckingham Palace announced her sad death on Thursday at the age of 96.
Mourners came out to Leeds Civic Hall in the city centre to lay floral tributes on the steps and head inside to sign the book of condolence. The Lord Mayor and councillors were some of the first to lay flowers on the steps on Friday.
Leeds residents will be able to lay floral tributes until Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral during the period of National Mourning. Leeds City Council has also made an online book of condolence available for people who can't make it to the Civic Hall.
Read more: Death of Queen latest as nation in mourning with shop closures and events cancelled - live updates
Couple Parminder and Amanda had come down together on the afternoon of Friday, September 9, to sign the book of condolences. Parminder,said: "There's too many reasons why we want to pay tribute. She was, in my opinion, the glue that has held the entire Commonwealth together and always has.
"It really does feel like we've lost a member of the family. We did feel really sad yesterday when we found out, and you would feel some tears fall while reading some of the tributes. She was such a people's person without people ever really knowing she was a people's person."
Amanda added: "She really held he country together during the pandemic. It sort of feels like she was everybody's mum - our friend has a 23-year-old son who was so sad yesterday because she's all he's ever known. It's really sad but it's been lovely hearing the stories about her being told by everyone."
The flag above the Civic Hall was flying at half-mast, along with flags across civic buildings in the country. Leeds man Mark said: “It’s our queen isn’t it. She been here 70 years and she’s done an amazing job. I found it a very sad time yesterday.
"I didn’t know it was that bad on Thursday when we were told the family had gone up and then it came up in the news and I was shocked. But 96 is a good life."
People had left flowers, photos and notes on the steps of the Civic Hall. The council is asking all packaging is removed before they are placed.
Similarly, Karen wanted to head in to write a note hoping the Queen would rest in peace. "It’s just an institution," she said.
"It's part of our history and I wanted to pay tribute. I was shocked and it was sad - though I wasn't overwhelmed by sadness. I just want to write rest in peace.
"It’s living history isn’t it? This is a huge event for all of us. I’m not against the royal family so it feels right to mark it.”
People across Leeds have also been paying tribute online. Naila Aziz wrote: "A gem, leaving behind a legacy that cannot be matched. May the Queen rest in the beautiful gardens of heaven with her beloved Prince Philip."
Similarly, Christine Crossley wrote: "Always much loved and in our hearts god bless you ma’am R I P thank you for your devoted service to our country you were and always be to us Queen and country."
Lord Mayor Councillor Robert Gettings has said: "I am very sorry to hear that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died. She worked tirelessly during her reign, representing the nation, attending official state visits abroad as well as spending a huge amount of time travelling around the country visiting charities, hospitals and organisations to meet and listen to the people she served.
"I know from her last visit to Leeds when the crowds lined Briggate to see her on her visit to the newly refurbished City Varieties Music Hall how much people respected and admired her, and so on behalf of the people of Leeds I have expressed our formal condolences in a letter to the new Sovereign’s Private Secretary to be passed to the new Sovereign. Flags on civic buildings have been lowered to half-mast in tribute.
"It is at times like this that the city comes together, and I know many will want to pay their respects and honour Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."
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