Tributes paid to Her Majesty The Queen by Copeland's leaders and dignitaries

They have honoured her 'exceptional' public service and ability to put people at ease in an instant.

Trudy Harrison, Copeland MP, said: “I join the people of Copeland in expressing my deep sadness at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“She gave a lifetime of exceptional public service and extraordinary dedication, for which we will be forever grateful.

“The devotion, leadership and dignity shown by The Queen throughout her remarkable reign will never be forgotten.

“Rest in peace Your Majesty.”Copeland's MP Trudy Harrison leaves flowers in Whitehaven (Image: Trudy Harrison)

Mike Starkie, Elected Mayor of Copeland, said: “I join the nation in deep sadness at the loss of one of the country’s longest serving and greatest leaders – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“To govern the country for 70 years is no mean feat and taking the mantle at such a young age is to be truly respected and commended.

“I was honoured to read the proclamation of the new Sovereign, King Charles III, on Sunday - and offer my condolences to the royal family.Copeland's elected mayor Mike Starkie lays flowers outside the Market Hall in Whitehaven (Image: Copeland Borough Council)

“I encourage everyone to sign the book of condolence in our Market Hall office to pay their respects to Her late Majesty.”

Charles Maudling, Mayor of Whitehaven, said: “We feel a very great sadness on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

“Her Majesty dedicated her life to this country and the commonwealth. We will remember her warmth and affection she had for us all. She had the most loveliest of smiles and was well respected and much-loved worldwide. 

“The whole of our country has come together again to pay tribute to her. Our condolences to all her family. She meant the world to us all.”

Gerard Richardson MBE, deputy lieutenant for Cumbria, said: “I’ve sworn two oaths in my lifetime as a serviceman and as a magistrate and more recently I was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria so perhaps I’m a bit more of a royalist than most but the Queen and now His Majesty are the glue that binds our constitution together and who wouldn’t want to swear loyalty to that?

“Her Majesty was just such a remarkable lady who could make you feel at ease in an instant and for me, her legacy is that she steered the country from the divisive days of colonialism right through to this wonderful multi-cultural society we enjoy today.

“In times of international stress, she has often been the reason the UK has managed to keep the respect of foreign leaders and when the UK has needed to impress the world, she has done it in style.The Union Flag at half mast in Castle Park, Whitehaven (Image: Copeland Borough Council)

“I’ve hosted, dined and even worked in the forces with many of the royal family in my working life but the walkabout with Her Majesty in 2008 is a memory I could never have dreamed of as a lad on Cleator Moor in the 60s and like so many of our countrymen and people the world over, I feel her loss deep in my heart.

“People keep mentioning that they doubt we will ever see another example of love devotion and duty to the country as that set by her Majesty but  I see it already in King Charles.

"God save the King.”