Following her death at the age of 96, members of the armed forces and police have paid their respects to the Queen.
Throughout the United Kingdom, service people, including the highest-ranking members of the army, navy, RAF, and police, have paid their respects.
As the Chief of the British Armed Forces and a veteran herself, the Queen had a “very personal relationship” with the armed forces, according to military officers.
Since her death was announced by the Royal Family at 6:30 last night, active duty troops and veterans have paid their respects in person and online.
A woman saluted the late monarch outside Balmoral, where she fell ill and ultimately died, after laying a tribute to her.
A police officer on guard at the gates of Buckingham Palace, where members of the public have paid their respects, became visibly overcome with emotion.
Following her death, the Chief of the Defence Staff paid that the Queen “knew better than others the burdens and glory of a life in uniform.”
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin stated that in the coming days, service members “must fulfill their final duty to a much-loved monarch,” adding, “We do so with admiration and appreciation.”
Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston also praised the Queen, describing her as a “pillar of strength for all who have had the honor to serve her.”
On Friday, a police guard at the gates of Buckingham Palace appears visibly moved as members of the public lay flowers in her honor.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, a woman salutes after depositing flowers at the gates of Balmoral in Scotland.
In 1945, when she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the Queen became the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time active member.
Chief of the Defence Staff stated, “The relationship between the Queen and the Armed Forces was very personal.”
A senior citizen from Chelsea wept today as he waited outside the palace, evidently distressed by the death of the queen.
Archie Ferguson, a Chelsea pensioner who served in the military for twenty-three years, stated that he knew and cherished Her Majesty personally.
He told MailOnline that she always appeared interested and well-informed whenever she visited his home, the Royal Chelsea Hospital.
He murmured through tears, “She’s wonderful.” I believe my favorite memory was attending this garden party. I prepared dinner for her… It was quality content.
Archie Ferguson, a Chelsea pensioner who served in the military for 23 years, stated that he knew and cherished the Queen.
A young Queen receiving a salute from a Chelsea senior citizen. Pensioner Archie Ferguson remarked that she always appeared enthusiastic and well-informed whenever she visited Royal Chelsea Hospital.
Mr. Ferguson and his friend Alan were at home when they learnt the Queen was ill and followed updates for hours until the death announcement.
He stated that he knew immediately that the palace was where they should be.
Again shedding tears, he said, “I’m feeling up and down.” ‘Sad. It is a really valuable location to visit. The nation desires to be here.
Yesterday, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, expressed condolences on behalf of the Armed Forces to His Majesty the King and the Royal Family.
The relationship between the Queen and the Armed Forces was extraordinarily intimate.
‘Through her own service in the Second World War and as the wife, mother, and grandmother of service members, the Queen understood better than most the sacrifices and rewards of life in uniform.
“In the following days, our sailors, soldiers, and aviators must fulfill their final obligation to a much-beloved monarch.”
In 1949, during a visit to conduct an annual inspection of the 14th company, Grenadier Guards, the then-princess Elizabeth II was present.
In February 2020, Her Majesty The Queen will visit Royal Air Force Marham.
In 2020, a guard of honor greeted and awaited the Queen’s arrival at RAF Marham.
We do so with respect and admiration. There is no greater honor for those of us who now have the distinction of wearing the King’s uniform than to serve the Crown and Country.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston also praised the Queen, describing her as a “pillar of strength for all who have had the honor to serve her.”
In a statement uploaded to his Twitter feed, he said, ‘The Royal Air Force and Royal Auxiliary Air Force mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with profound death.
During her long and illustrious reign, she exemplified a life devoted to the service of the nation and the Commonwealth, and millions of people around the world admired her for it.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, expressed condolences on behalf of the Armed Forces.
As head of the Armed Forces, Her Majesty has been a constant source of inspiration and a pillar of strength to those who have had the honor to serve her.
In addition to being the head of the armed forces when she became queen, Her Majesty was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the armed forces as a full-time active member in 1945, when she enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).
Yesterday, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace paid, ‘The loss of Her Majesty The Queen will be felt by every member of her Armed Forces.
She was more than their commander-in-chief; she was also their protector.
Yesterday, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and military commanders paid tribute on Twitter to the Queen’s lifetime of service.
She championed their wellbeing and supported them before, during, and after surgical procedures.
He further stated that the Queen devoted her life to service.
“Serve to Lead” is the motto of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The Queen’s life was a live manifestation of this.’
Veterans of the military forces reminisced on social media about the time they met the queen and thanked the woman they referred to as “the Boss.”
One just posted a photo of her with a class from the Royal Navy Engineering College in 1982 with the caption “goodbye, your majesty.”
To the Manager!
‘Army Veterans paid a Twitter homage to the Queen, recalling the time they met her.
One veteran of the armed forces wrote, “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Queen!
The proudest words I’ve ever spoken came at the conclusion of my ‘Mr. Vice’s address to the Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess during my first Regimental Dinner.
Someone else responded, “To the Boss…! It was an honor, ma’am.
Yesterday, another war veteran serving as a train driver on the Elizabeth Line announced the news of her passing to passengers in an emotional tribute.
The conductor informed the passengers that he had been honored to serve as an army officer for her, and that he will serve to drive for the Elizabeth line until his retirement.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Defense and British police forces changed the backgrounds of their social media pages to black as a mark of respect.
Sir Steve House, the acting commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, issued the following statement last night: “Tonight, every member of the Metropolitan Police Service joins the nation in grieving the death of Her Majesty The Queen.”
A police stands guard in front of Buckingham Palace with his head in his hands.
“On their behalf, I extend my sincere condolences to the entire Royal Family and to all those whose lives have been touched by Her Majesty’s death.
“Like every other officer in the Metropolitan Police Service, I took an oath to Her Majesty, which is the highest honor for us all.”
I am confident that Her Majesty’s lifetime of public service will continue to inspire future generations.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace (center) and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin observe the firing of the Death Gun Salute from the Tower of London (left)
Friday, as tributes continued to stream in, mourners gathered across the United Kingdom as 96-round cannon salutes were fired to mark each year of her life.
In addition to London, the Death Gun Salute was also fired in Cardiff Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Hillsborough Castle, York, Portsmouth, and Gibraltar.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and Defense Secretary Ben Wallace attended the Death Gun Salute at the Tower of London.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired the Death Gun Salute in Hyde Park as the Honourable Artillery Company fired the Death Gun Salute from the Tower of London (HAC).