First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to the Queen’s “extraordinary dedication and service” following the monarch’s passing at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that she passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire on Thursday afternoon.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the Palace said in a statement.
“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Posting her condolences on Twitter, the FM wrote: “The death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth is a profoundly sad moment for the UK, the Commonwealth and the world.
“Her life was one of extraordinary dedication and service.
“On behalf of the people of Scotland, I convey my deepest condolences to The King and the Royal Family.”
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said that the loss of the Queen will be “felt dearly” across Scotland, the United Kingdom and around the world.
“Her Majesty the Queen was a national treasure who represented the very best of our United Kingdom throughout her entire life,” said Ross.
“The dedication and commitment of Her Majesty to this country and her people was unmatched.
“For 70 years, the Queen led the country through good times and bad, an unwavering presence of strength in each and every national moment of adversity.
“There was nobody else like Her Majesty. This loss will be felt dearly across Scotland, the United Kingdom and around the world.
“Everyone will remember Her Majesty as a warm, loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and monarch.
“My thoughts are prayers are with the Royal Family and the entire country at this very difficult time.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said that Her Majesty brought the nation together at a time of crisis.
“This is a sad day for the whole country, but especially for the Royal Family who have lost a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother,” he said.
“The entire nation joins them in mourning the death of Her Majesty, the Queen.
“Our longest serving monarch, Her Majesty was a dedicated public servant, demonstrating strength, leadership and compassion when her country needed it most.
“From the Blitz to the pandemic, she brought our nation together at a time of crisis – providing hope and light in our darkest moments.
“That influence was felt beyond the United Kingdom, she was a global figure whose stewardship of the Commonwealth leaves a world better than she found it.
“The Scottish Labour Party joins the rest of the UK and the Commonwealth in mourning her loss.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said that the Queen was “loved and touched lives the world over”.
“Queen Elizabeth II represented perhaps the greatest life of public service in the history of our country. Our family of nations is in mourning,” he said.
“For seven decades she has been our country’s most recognisable ambassador.
“Whether it be her wartime service, her patronage of more than 600 charities or her Covid-19 broadcast to the nation, she has been a beacon for so many people. The Queen was loved and touched lives the world over.
“She will be remembered not only as the longest reigning monarch these isles have ever seen but as a steadfast and loyal sovereign, devoted to the wellbeing of her people,
“In 1947, the 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth declared to the British Commonwealth that her whole life, whether it be long or short, would be devoted to its service.
“By any measure that promise has been more than fulfilled.
“The thoughts of myself, my family and all of the Scottish Liberal Democrats are with the Queen’s family and friends at this time.”
Scottish secretary Alister Jack said that the Queen had a “genuine love” of Scotland and a “very special relationship” with the people of Scotland.
“It is with great sadness, and our deepest condolences, that we mark the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II,” said Jack.
“Her long reign was defined by hard work and dedicated public service, earning her the respect and devotion of her citizens the length and breadth of the UK, and throughout the Commonwealth.
“Her Majesty had a genuine love of Scotland, and a very special relationship with us Scots. Her Majesty was held dear by people in Scotland, and she will be very much missed.
“It was in Scotland we saw the Queen at her most relaxed and happy, particularly on her regular visits to her much-loved Balmoral.
“I know it would have been a comfort to her and her family that she was able to spend her last days in the place she loved so much.
“We will come together in the coming days to mourn The Queen’s passing. But as we reflect on her long life and her unstinting service, we will also remember fondly her compassion, humour and warmth.
“I offer my wholehearted support and loyalty to the new King, as I know will people across the country. God save the King.”
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