BRIDGWATER and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and described her death as a “great loss to the country”.

The Queen died “peacefully” at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on the afternoon of Thursday, September 8.

Charles III acceded to the throne upon the Queen's death but will not be formally proclaimed King until an Accession Council is held at St James’s Palace on Saturday.

Mr Liddell-Grainger joined politicians and public figures around the world last night in paying tribute to the Queen.

Somerset County Gazette: “She was a stabilizing influence and a comforting presence in times of difficulty.” UK Parliament“She was a stabilizing influence and a comforting presence in times of difficulty.” UK Parliament (Image: UK Parliament)

In a statement shared with the Bridgwater Mercury yesterday evening, Mr Liddell-Grainger said: “She was a stabilizing influence and a comforting presence in times of difficulty, such as the recent pandemic, and her dedication, service and duty to our country and its people is beyond measure. 

“The vast majority of us in this country have only ever known Queen Elizabeth II as our monarch and for many today it will feel as if they have lost a member of their own family. 

“She leaves so great a legacy and has recorded so many achievements that it is impossible to even begin to list them.

“But I am sure that many of us will have our own memories from 70 years of a glorious Elizabethan age as we mourn this great loss to our country.

“I send my own heartfelt condolences, and those of my constituents, to His Majesty King Charles III and all her family on this saddest of losses.”

The King will travel to London today after spending the night at Balmoral. 

He is due to meet Prime Minister Liz Truss before he makes his first public speech as monarch at 6pm in a televised address to the nation.

Read more: The Queen dies aged 96: Somerset pays tribute to Her Majesty