Chamber pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh when they visited the region to officially open the Humber Bridge. Pictures courtesy Grimsby Telegraph and Hull Daily Mail.

ALL the team at the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family.

The Queen, who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, was also Head of the Commonwealth nations and tributes have been pouring in from around the world.

Her Majesty has been an enduring symbol of strength and continuity throughout her reign and she led a life dedicated to public service since she ascended the throne in 1952, not least as patron of many charities and organisations, including as Patron of our own British Chambers of Commerce.

Her 70-year reign coincided with a rapidly changing world, with huge leaps forward in technology and society. The second Elizabethan era will be remembered as a golden age of progress. The Queen was a regular visitor to the Humber and perhaps one of her most significant engagements in our region was to officially open the Humber Bridge, which unites our region and has driven its economic development. 

The Chamber's Northern Lincolnshire Manager, Anne Tate, remembers seeing the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a Royal Garden Party. Anne said: "I was privileged to have been invited to represent the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace some years ago. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were both in attendance and as she made her way through the garden she stopped to speak to the person directly in front of me.

"Greater in presence than her small stature belied she was immaculately dressed, her jewellery stunning. I was literally transfixed. Every day of my life I had viewed her image before me, on stamps, on bank notes, in newspapers and on the television. But nothing had prepared me for the reality of the kind, friendly and welcoming face that stood before me smiling and chatting. And then she was gone.

"It was a moment, just a moment, but one that captivated and will stay with me forever. I am so honoured that through my work with the Chamber I had the opportunity to be in the presence of the most iconic woman of our age."

The Chair of the Chamber's North East Lincolnshire Council, Irene Keal, said: "Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II yesterday, our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this extremely sad time".

Former Chamber President and Chair of the Hull Area Council, Phil Ascough recalled: "My first glimpse of Her Majesty was from the western end of Platform 1 at North Ferriby station.

"The date was Friday 17 July 1981 and the occasion was the official opening of the Humber Bridge.

"I reported for the Hull Daily Mail as the Royal train pulled in and the Queen stepped out, spoke to local schoolchildren and residents from a nearby care home, and was then driven off to perform the ceremony.

"I covered many more visits to the Humber region over the years by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Princess of Wales.

"And of course by the new King, who I accompanied as part of a group of prominent business people on a coach trip to Gipsyville to Withernsea.

"Without exception the crowds were adoring, but for the Queen the excitement, love and respect were on another level. People haven’t even begun to realise how much they will miss her."

The Lord Mayor of Hull, Cllr Christine Randall, said: "On behalf of Hull City Council and the people of the city, I would like to express our great sorrow at the news of the death of our Sovereign, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

"Her Majesty carried out her duties with distinction across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and we were honoured to welcome her to the city, most recently during our year as UK City of Culture.

"The Council recognises that people will want to express their sadness, affection and gratitude for the lifetime of service given by our longest-reigning Monarch, and Books of Condolence will be available to sign at venues across the city.  Residents can also leave any tributes at the Queen Victoria statue in Queen Victoria Square. 

“Books of Condolence are open from 10am at the Ferens Art Gallery and at Hull Minster and branch libraries across the city. Our website will contain information on this and the opening times of the venues.”

"Civic dignitaries, Members and Officers of the Council, and other local public services will be present at the City Hall in Queen Victoria Square at 1pm on Sunday 11 September to recognise the reading of the Proclamation. 

"At this time and as a mark of respect, certain events may be postponed or cancelled and the Council encourages residents to check the Hull City Council website for further details.” 

Among the many international tributes, is one from David McCredie AM CBE, the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce, who said: "The Queen gave selfless service to the United Kingdom and Australia and also to many millions not only in our own countries, but also to her other Realms and Territories, the Commonwealth and to the World as an enduring symbol of leadership, strength and courage, but also of compassion and empathy.

"It is with great sadness that we mourn her passing. We honour and celebrate her unwavering service, living up to the words from her 21st birthday speech: "I declare before you that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service, and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."

At the moment of the Queen's passing yesterday, the throne passed to Prince Charles, who is to be known as King Charles III.

God Save The King.