Wirral is in mourning today following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the monarch had passed away peacefully at Balmoral yesterday evening (Thursday, September 9), following an earlier statement detailing concerns about her health. During her 70-year-reign, the Queen made several visits to Wirral, the most recent one coming in December 2011, when more than 500 people lined New Brighton’s promenade to catch a glimpse of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as they inspected the £60m regeneration scheme at Marine Point.
Wirral, alongside the rest of the commonwealth, has now officially entered a 10-day period of mourning. Union flags above council buildings and military bases will be flown at half-mast, and there has been an outpouring of grief and gratitude from people and organisations across the borough.
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Posting to Twitter, Wirral Council shared a photo of the lowered Union flag with the caption: "We are greatly saddened to hear about the death of Her Majesty The Queen and will provide further information in due course". Council leader, Janette Williamson, said: "On behalf of Wirral, I want to thank the Queen for her dedication and undiminished love for her country. RIP."
A number of MPs have also taken to social media to pay their respects to the country's longest-serving monarch. The Labour MP for Wirral South, Alison McGovern, said: "As we mourn the loss of our Queen, I reflect on her lifetime of service, and her place as an inspiration to all.
"We all send our deepest condolences from the Wirral to the Royal Family, and are so very grateful for the steadfast and constant care she took for our whole country." Mick Whitley, member of parliament for Birkenhead, said he was "profoundly saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, drawing to a close an extraordinary reign".
As a mark of respect following Her Majesty's death, the EFL confirmed that its fixtures scheduled for this evening (Friday, September 9), including Tranmere Rovers v Stockport County, have been postponed. A message from Prenton Park hailed the Queen as a "great servant to our country".
St Saviour's church in Oxton are among the places of worship inviting people to visit and reflect, as well as hosting a book of condolence for people to sign. St Mary's and St Helen's Church, in Neston, will also have a book of condolence available, with a memorial service set to take place at 10.45am on Sunday (September 11).
RNLI Lifeboat stations across Wirral have also sent touching messages to honour their patron, Queen Elizabeth II. A spokesperson for West Kirby lifeboat station said: "It is with utmost sadness that we have learned of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, our Monarch and our Patron. Her loss is deeply felt across the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and our thoughts are with the Royal Family."
Last night, the Floral Pavilion theatre in New Brighton, which was oficially opened by the Queen, paid tribute to the monarch by holding a two-minute silence before the evening's performance. Wirral University Teaching Hospital trust, who welcomed the Queen to Arrowe Park hospital in May,1982, said: "We are extremely saddened to hear that Her Majesty The Queen has passed away. Our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this time."
Famous faces from Wirral have also joined in the tributes. Paul O'Grady shared photos from The Royal Variety Performance in 2001, where the Birkenhead-born star met the Queen after performing alongside the late Cilla Black. James Bond star, Daniel Craig, who grew up in Wirral, and joined Her Majesty as the spy for their 2012 Olympics sketch, said the Queen will be "profoundly missed".
In a statement to the PA news agency, the actor said: "I, like so many, was deeply saddened by the news today and my thoughts are with the royal family, those she loved and all those who loved her.
"She leaves an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed."
We have turned comments off on this story but you can share your tribute in our online condolence book here.
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Queen Elizabeth II: Leave your tribute in the Liverpool ECHO's online condolence book
