Queen Elizabeth II: Yorkshire pays tribute to her 'faithful presence'

People across Yorkshire have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her death at the age of 96.

Flags were lowered to half-mast on civic buildings, including town halls in Leeds, Sheffield and York, shortly after Thursday evening's announcement.

Faith leaders from communities across the region have paid tribute to Her Majesty.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said she was a "faithful presence" amid "the challenges of a changing world".

The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner, spoke of her "profound sadness" at the news.

Mrs Ropner said: "Her unfailing commitment to our country and to the wider Commonwealth throughout the past 70 years has been an inspiration to us all."

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Robert Gettings, said the Queen had "worked tirelessly during her reign", and recalled a royal visit to the city in 2012, when crowds lined Briggate to see her.

Mr Gettings said a book of condolence would be opened at Leeds Civic Hall, as well as an online version on the council's website.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Sioned-Mair Richards, spoke of her memories of the Queen, and the "enthusiastic welcome given by the people of Sheffield" when the monarch visited the city in April 2015.

"It will be an event that many will remember for the rest of their lives and will always be a significant day in Sheffield's history," she added.

Floral tributes have been laid at Sheffield Cathedral and at the city's Peace Gardens.

One card read: "Thank you your Majesty for your devotion to your people and your service to the crown."

Another said: "My Queen for 70 years, my love and thanks for your service to our country."

Janet Daniels and her daughter Ruth Finlay visited the cathedral on Friday.

Mrs Daniels' husband John died 24 hours before the Queen and Ms Finlay said: "We've just been able to pause and think about dad, a man of huge Christian faith like the Queen and a real avid supporter of hers. It's felt very poignant to be here."

Imam Qari Asim MBE, chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board and senior Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds, said the Queen embraced qualities of "dignity, humility, grace, resolute faith and selfless public service".

He said: "We have long admired the Queen's deep respect for other people's beliefs and an interest in celebrating the commonalities and shared values between faiths."

Harkishan Mistry, general secretary of Bradford Hindu Council, recalled the Queen's visit to the city to open the Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple in 2007.

He said: "It was a fantastic gesture. For us, the relationship with the Queen has been great. We all have mothers and we looked up to her as a mother figure. We wish her family strength at this time."

Sports teams added to the tributes, with Leeds United writing on Twitter: "We join the world in sending our thoughts and sincere condolences to the Royal Family."

Huddersfield Town said their thoughts were with the Royal Family, and Sheffield United said they were "deeply saddened" to learn of her passing.

Doncaster Racecourse announced Friday's meeting would be cancelled, saying customers would be contacted directly by email.

Nicola Adams, Olympian and former professional boxer from Leeds, said she was "deeply saddened" to hear the news.

"I will never forget how happy I was receiving my MBE From her majesty the Queen after I won my gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics #RIPQueenElizabeth," she tweeted.

The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, said the Queen had served the people of the United Kingdom in "selfless humility and with great dignity".

In York Minster, people queued to add their messages to a book of condolence. A spokesperson said hundreds of people had visited on Friday to sign the book and light candles in memory of the Queen.

Earl of Harewood David Lascelles recalled the Queen's visit to the estate in July 2002 as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations.

He said the party visited the set of TV soap Emmerdale, where they saw the fictional post office set on fire in a stunt staged in honour of Her Majesty.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh then watched a pageant at Harewood House.

Earl Lascelles said: "The length of her reign and the many changes she witnessed during those years are unprecedented in our history. Her death is truly the end of an era, the end of the Second Elizabethan Age."

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