Queen Elizabeth II: Tributes from across Derbyshire

Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II have been paid by people from across Derbyshire.

Buckingham Palace said she died "peacefully" at her Balmoral estate on Thursday.

Her eldest son now leads the country in mourning as the new monarch Charles III.

Union flags across Derbyshire have been lowered to half-mast and County Hall has been lit up purple in honour of the Queen.

Derby City Council said it would remember the Queen with "affection and gratitude".

She visited Derby on numerous occasions during her long reign, including in 1977 when it was granted city status as part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations.

The authority said a book of condolence opened at 09:00 BST at the Council House.

Derbyshire Dales District Council has also opened a book of condolence at the Town hall in Matlock, which is available to sign between 09:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Friday.

Celia Potter, 84, from Derby said: "It's something quite annihilating because I've grown up with the Queen there all of the time.

"I just hope poor Charles will live up to the reputation that's she's created."

Georgia Ellin, 23, from Dronfield, speaking outside Derby Cathedral, said she was saddened by the news.

"This is a bit of a shock to us all," she said.

"I've come to pay my respects and pray to God to help welcome the Queen into his arms."

Pam Broomhead, 67, from Derby, said: "It's horrible. She was such a wonderful person. God bless her.

"It's very sad. We loved her, didn't we?

"I don't know why I'm so emotional, I didn't know her. But she was just lovely."

Remi Carter, 30, also from Derby, added: "I think she united everybody - she did a fabulous job.

"She reigned for 70 years and got thrown in at 25. It's really sad.

"It's a gloomy day today."

Johnathan Shabazz, 32, who is originally from Bermuda but lives in the city, said his heart was with the Royal Family.

"Personally she was that sense of comfort, that sense of calm," he said.

"I just hope the family can keep it strong and keep the monarchy going for her and what it means to us."

Chris Murphy remembers seeing the Queen when he was standing near the Council House when Derby became a city in 1977.

"She's been a good steady rock over the years," the 62-year-old said, adding that he had once met the Queen's husband Prince Philip.

"She's seen a lot of life and always kept whatever opinions she did have to herself."

Derby resident Emma Wilson welled up as she paid tribute to the Queen.

The 39-year-old added: "I think everybody feels really uncertain about what's going to come next and what it means for us as a nation.

"She's been so steadfast - she's always been there throughout all the bad things that have happened.

"She meant stability... she stood for what Britain should be. She was just a lovely lady."

Derby Cathedral's bells rang fully muffled at noon on Friday out of respect for the Queen.

The bells will be muffled for Sunday services as well as Tuesday evening practice until Her Majesty's funeral.

The Very Rev Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby, was the first to sign the book of condolence in the cathedral, alongside Bishop of Derby the Right Reverend Libby Lane, and Mayor of Derby Robin Wood.

A book of condolence has also opened in the foyer of Ashbourne Town Hall. The town council has invited residents to sign it if they wish, while its flag has been lowered to half-mast.

Organisations and officials have also taken to social media to pay tribute.

Rolls-Royce, based in Derby, said it was "deeply saddened" by the passing of the Queen.

It said: "Throughout her extraordinary reign, she was an inspirational and courageous leader.

"From her early days as a young princess during the war, to her many years as monarch, she showed a strength and dignity to which we can all aspire.

"Her warmth and compassion were clear as was her commitment to our country."

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "It is with immense sadness we learn of the death of her majesty the Queen.

"We offer sincere condolences to the royal family as we come together as a nation and commonwealth to mourn the passing of a much revered and long serving monarch."

Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: "It is with deep sadness that we learn of the death of her majesty the Queen.

"Derbyshire Constabulary join in offering our condolences to the royal family and come together with the nation in mourning this sad news."

Derby South Labour MP, Dame Margaret Beckett, told BBC Radio Derby she last met the Queen when she was made a Dame.

She added: "I had huge respect for her and had spent enough time in her company to have seen some of those examples of that sharpness and intellectual awareness.

"There will be nothing like the same automatic fervent respect and feeling of protection towards the [new] monarch as there was towards the Queen.

"The new king will have to establish himself."

The Conservative MP for Erewash, Maggie Throup, described the Queen as a "constant figure of strength and stability".

Lee Rowley, MP for North East Derbyshire, also took to Twitter to give thanks for her service.

The Derbyshire-born actor Robert Lindsay posted a more simple tribute.

The University of Derby's vice-chancellor, Professor Kathryn Mitchell, said: "It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of her majesty the Queen.

"Her majesty has given this country, and its realms and commonwealth, 70 years of dedication and service.

"This is a remarkable achievement, and her commitment and leadership are an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed."

Derby County reflected on the time her royal highness officially opened Pride Park Stadium 1997.

Preparations have been taking place in Derby in anticipation of crowds over the weekend.

The Council House will be open from 9-5 every day until the day after the Queen's funeral.

Derby City Council has asked for floral tributes on Cathedral Green, and said flowers would be collected after the period of mourning and used as compost to plant a tree of remembrance.

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