South West business and political leaders have paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II after Buckingham Palace announced her death at the age of 96.
Elizabeth II was the country's longest-serving monarch and has been succeeded by the Prince of Wales, who has now become King Charles III.
Business and political leaders from across the region have paid tribute to Elizabeth II following the news on Thursday.
Inventor Sir James Dyson, chief engineer at Wiltshire-based vacuum cleaner brand Dyson said: 鈥淚 send my deepest condolences to the Royal Family.鈥
鈥淭he Queen has been an inspirational figurehead of our Country and Commonwealth. Her Majesty was a supporter of design and engineering. She took a keen interest in how things work and always offered me great personal encouragement to 鈥榢eep on inventing鈥. She leaves a nation mourning a truly historic figure.鈥
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II: Queen's Awards recognised exporters and innovators for 56 years
West of England metro mayor Dan Norris said: 鈥淭his is an immensely sad day. Her Majesty The Queen has been a constant presence during all of our lives and during so many periods of immense change, not just in the West of England and the 海角视频 but across the globe.
鈥淪he has been an exemplar who always put service first. It is almost unimaginable such a reliable fixture in our lives is no longer with us.
鈥淎s so many across the country mourn this huge loss, I send my deepest sympathies and those of residents of the West of England, to the King, the Queen Consort and everyone who loved this most remarkable woman.鈥
Simon Boyd, managing director of Dorset-based structural engineering firm REIDsteel - a four-time winner of Queen鈥檚 Awards for Enterprise in International Trade - said: 鈥淭he thoughts and condolences of all at John Reid & Sons (Strucsteel) Ltd are with the Royal family following the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
鈥淲e are deeply saddened by her loss and share in the grief of so many across the United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations.
鈥淢ourning for her passing is combined with profound gratitude for her exemplary contribution to our country and public life; this has included unceasing support for the business community through countless workplace visits, patronages and awards.
鈥淥ur company is proud to have won four prestigious Queen鈥檚 Awards for International Trade, and Her Majesty鈥檚 role on the world stage cannot be underestimated in its importance to our country鈥檚 businesses and economy.
鈥淨ueen Elizabeth acted as a symbol of continuity and stability for so many years in a reign characterised by dedication, determination, leadership and good humour. She has set an impeccable example for her successor to follow. God save the King.鈥
Dorset Chamber president Caron Khan added: 鈥淎lthough this is a very sad day, her legacy will live on through her family and the country she has helped to shape with such wisdom and leadership over so many years.
鈥淥n behalf of our members in the Dorset business community, we pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.鈥
Family-run Somerset brand Thatchers Cider, the 海角视频鈥檚 second largest cidermaker, wrote on social media: 鈥淥ur extended family at Thatchers joins everyone around the United Kingdom and indeed the World in mourning the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, who has been an inspiration to us all.
鈥淲e send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this very sad time.
Oliver Bruce, the founder and chief executive of Gloucestershire-based content marketing agency Pinpoint Media wrote on a Linkedin post on Friday that he had visited the gates of Buckingham Palace to 鈥減ay my respects to Her Majesty The Queen.鈥
Mr Bruce wrote: 鈥淎s people from all walks of life congregate to pay their respects and lay tributes to a remarkable woman, it struck me just how much impact she had on so many. Flowers, memories, and prayers shared by all.
鈥淲hat the Queen did for our country was nothing short of inspiring. She was an incredible woman and her memory will live on long into the future. Thank you Your Majesty. God save the King!
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