The Queen: Live updates as Portsmouth mourns longest-serving monarch Britain has ever seen
and live on Freeview channel 276
Commemorations including a vigil and a gun salute are planned across the area. We will keep you up to date with what is happening here.
Live updates as Portsmouth mourns Queen Elizabeth II
Key Events
- Portsmouth marks passing of monarch
- Vigil to be held in Guildhall Square this afternoon
- Navy to stage gun salute at base
A vigil will be held in Guildhall Square today
Here’s an update on events organised by the council
The Head of the Royal Navy has paid a touching tribute
Bells have rung out in Guildhall Square to mark the Queen’s death
Flowers laid at Windsor Castle
‘Heartbroken’ members of the public have been laying flowers at Windsor Castle to pay their respects to the ‘amazing’ Queen.
The piles of flowers laid at Cambridge Gate at the end of the Long Walk built up as Friday morning progressed.
Amanda Bartlett, from Wraysbury, Berkshire, who laid flowers with her 14-month-old daughter Ayla, said: ‘It’s a massive part of history and Ayla is not going to remember it so I wanted to do something for her so we can tell her when she is older.
’It’s really sad but it’s lovely in terms that everyone has come out and I can’t believe how many flowers there are.’
Reverend Jill Kells, of the Bursledon Church of England parish said: “I have always admired the Queen, I think she’s an exceptional lady and has served us so well and for so long and I just wanted to be here.
‘You can spend time watching TV but it’s not the same as being in a corporate place in mourning and there’s such a quietness and sombreness but also a community feeling at the same time.’
Dawn McCrudden, 51, a former private in the Royal Corps of Signals and husband, Andrew, 63, a former corporal in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) from Camberley, Surrey, also paid their respects.
Mrs McCrudden, who was visibly upset as she lay flowers at Cambridge Gate, said: ‘I feel absolutely heartbroken, there are no words to describe how I feel.
’I have known no other Queen, she has been my Queen my whole life, she is so dignified, so regal, she has always been there, especially for the military being our commander in chief, she has put so much into the country, she is such an amazing person.
’When I took my oath (to join the armed forces) it was the proudest day of my life.’
Some lovely memories from almost 50 years ago
Former IBM Havant director shares memories of Queen's 1974 visit saying it was 'easy' as she 'read all draft paperwork'
THE FORMER director of IBM in Havant who toured the Queen around the plant in 1974 says she was ‘such a good listener’ and ‘expressed great interest in those she met’.
Portsmouth’s great institutions have united to pay tribute
Portsmouth institutions across the city pay tribute to the Queen after glorious reign
INSTITUTIONS across Portsmouth have paid their respects to the Queen, the day after her death at the age of 96 was announced.
Charles reaches Buckingham Palace
King Charles III received the heartfelt condolences of the public when he arrived at Buckingham Palace for the first time as the nation’s new monarch.
Charles and the Queen travelled to the head of state’s official residence from Balmoral to view floral tributes left in memory of his mother, and to thank the crowds for offering their sympathy.
In a touching moment Charles put his hand around his wife who appeared close to tears after the couple shook every outstretched hand and acknowledged words of sympathy from the crowds during a 15-minute walkabout at the place gates.
There was an outpouring of support for the new monarch and his wife from well-wishers, with one calling out “God save the King” when the couple first arrived, another shouting out “We love you King Charles and we loved your mum”, and spontaneous cheering.
There was an impromptu rendition of the national anthem from parts of the crowed, with the words changed to reflect the country now has a King, while another section shouted “hip, hip hooray”.
