MPs have paid tribute to the Queen within the House of Commons, with Boris Johnson making his first look since stepping down as prime minister, asking the general public to “think what we asked of her and think what she gave”.
His successor, Liz Truss, the Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer and the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, led MPs and friends in paying tribute to and sharing reminiscences of the Queen, who died on Thursday, aged 96.
Mr Johnson stated “millions of us are trying to understand why we are facing this deep, personal and almost familial sense of loss”, nevertheless it was as a result of she was “the keystone in a vast arch of the British state”.
He stated once they final met, when he tendered his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday, the Queen was “as radiant and as knowledgeable and as fascinated by politics as ever”, and “as wise in her advice as anyone I know, if not wiser”.
And he cited to her humour, saying that it, alongside her “work ethic and that sense of history… together made her Elizabeth the Great”.
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Mr Johnson concluded: “The fact that today we can say with such confidence, God save the King is a tribute to him, but above all, to Elizabeth the Great who worked so hard for the good of her country, not just now, but for generations to come.
“That is why we mourn her so deeply. And it’s within the depths of our grief that we perceive why we cherished her a lot.”
Another former prime minister, Theresa May, stated the Queen was “the most remarkable person I have ever met”, including: “She was respected and loved, not just here in the United Kingdom and in other realms and the Commonwealth, but across the world.
“And that love, respect and admiration was borne not out of her place, however due to the particular person she was – a lady of dignity and style, of compassion, and heat, of mischief and pleasure, of knowledge and expertise, and of a deep understanding of her individuals.”
‘One of the greatest leaders the world has ever known’
Proceedings started in a packed Commons with a minute’s silence, as MPs, all in sombre clothes, bowed their heads.
The event was also littered with laughter and fond memories of the Queen who ruled for more than 70 years.
The Speaker was the first to pay tribute, and said that she had seen 57 sessions of Parliament, 18 general elections and 10 different Speakers during her reign.
He said: “While it is a time of very appreciable disappointment, these reminiscences of a noble, gracious woman who devoted her life to a household, the United Kingdom and people nations world wide whom she served as Queen will deliver us some comfort and pleasure.”
Tonight at 8pm on Sky News: Watch the documentary Elizabeth II: A life of duty with Mark Austin, a look back at the extraordinary life of Britain’s longest reigning monarch
Sir Lindsay was adopted by the brand new prime minister, Ms Truss, who stated that the Queen was “one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known”, including: “As we meet today, we remember the pledge she made on her 21st birthday to dedicate her life to service. The whole House will agree, never has a promise been so completely fulfilled.”
She stated once they met simply three days in the past, when the Queen requested her to type a brand new authorities she “generously shared with me her deep experience of government, even in those last days”.
“Everyone who met her will remember the moment, they will speak of it for the rest of their lives. Even those who never met her.
“Her late majesty’s picture is an icon for what Britain stands for as a nation. On our cash, on our stamps, and in portraits world wide, her legacy will endure by the numerous individuals she met, the worldwide historical past she witnessed and the lives that she touched.”
And she pledged her allegiance to King Charles, who she is due to meet this afternoon, saying: “He has already made a profound contribution by his work on conservation, training and his tireless diplomacy. We owe him our loyalty and devotion.”
Sir Keir echoed help for the King, and stated that the nation shared within the lack of the Royal Family as a result of relationship the Queen cast together with her topics.
The Labour chief referred to her TV deal with in the course of the pandemic, saying: “Her simple message that we would see family again, that we would see friends again, that we would be together again, gave people strength and courage when they needed it most.”
He continued: “The loss of our Queen robs this country of its still point, its greatest comfort at precisely the time we need those things most.
“But our Queen’s dedication to us, a lifetime of public service, was underpinned by one essential understanding that the nation she got here to symbolise is larger than anybody particular person or anybody establishment.
“It is the sum total of all our history and all our endeavours, and it will endure. The late Queen would have wanted us to redouble our efforts to turn our collar up and face the storm to carry on. Most of all, she would want us to remember that it is in these moments that we must pull together.”
The SNP’s Westminster chief, Ian Blackford, stated: “For Scotland, she was Elizabeth, Queen of Scots.”
He added: “It is clear that Balmoral has been a place of peace and sanctuary for her throughout her whole life, and perhaps particularly so, following the death of her husband, life companion and love, His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“It is subsequently maybe becoming that she has met her remaining peace at Balmoral, a spot the place she discovered such enjoyment and luxury. And as somebody of demonstrably sturdy religion, she is going to now have enduring peace with herself and naturally to be reunited with Prince Philip.”
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The Commons sitting is happening concurrently friends pay tribute within the House of Lords, with each anticipated to final till 10pm tonight.
MPs and friends will return to Parliament on Saturday to proceed their tributes.
The PM can be anticipated to attend a memorial service for the Queen at St Paul’s Cathedral this night and can give a studying.
Source: information.sky.com”