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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Peter Davidson

MPs hold minute silence for the Queen during special session of parliament

MPs have held a minute's silence in the House of Commons ahead of a special session of parliament to remember the Queen following her death on Thursday.

Speaker of the house Lindsay Hoyle led members ahead of tributes to the monarch which are expected to last for 10 hours.

MPs stood in a crowded chamber with heads bowed. Hoyle led the tributes, telling MPs: "Over her reign she has seen unprecedented social, cultural, technological change, through it all she has been the most conscientious and dutiful monarchs.

"But whilst she understood the unescapable nature of duty, which sometimes must have weighed upon her heavily, she also delighted in carrying it out for she was the most devoted monarch."

He added: "Our memories of her will be filled with that image of a gently smiling dedication that showed throughout her life."

Prime Minister Liz Truss paid tribute to the Queen saying "we have witnessed the most heartfelt outpouring of grief".

She added: "In the hours since last night's shocking news, we have witnessed the most heartfelt outpouring of grief at the loss of Her late Majesty the Queen.

"Crowds have gathered, flags have been lowered to half-mast, tributes have been sent from every continent around the world."

Labour leader Keir Starmer will also remember the Queen, while former PM's Theresa May and Boris Johnson are also in the Chamber to pay their respects.

There will also be a rare Saturday sitting, where senior MPs will take an oath of allegiance to the King from 2pm, with condolences continuing again until 10pm.

It comes after the Prime Minister chaired a Cabinet meeting were members paid tribute to the Queen at a meeting on Friday morning.

It is understood that ministers shared memories of the monarch's lifetime of service, including fond recollections of their own encounters with her. There was a moment of silence at the conclusion of the meeting.

Keir Starmer led tributes to the Queen at a meeting of the shadow cabinet on Friday morning, Labour said.

A party spokesperson said: "The shadow cabinet met at 9.30 this morning in Richmond House on the parliamentary estate. Keir Starmer led tributes to HM Queen Elizabeth II and the whole shadow cabinet stood in silent tribute to the late Queen."

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