Tributes have been paid to the “iconic” Queen Elizabeth’s “extraordinary devotion” following the monarch’s death, aged 96.
Cllr Beaty Bainbridge, chairwoman of Durham County Council, said: “We are greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this sad time.
“As Britain’s longest-serving monarch, the Queen demonstrated extraordinary devotion to her duties and to the people she served.
“She was an important figurehead for the UK during a reign of more than 70 years, which saw unprecedented changes to our country and way of life.
“The Queen travelled more widely than any other monarch and this included many visits to County Durham.
“I am sure that all those who met her, whether in the early years of her time on the throne or more recently, will have fond memories of her visit.
“As a mark of respect, flags at County Hall and our other civic buildings in Crook and Spennymoor are being flown at half-mast.
“We know that people in County Durham will want to express their condolences and we will provide information on how to do so in due course.”
Teesdale’s MP, Dehenna Davison, said: “She guided the country through our darkest hours, a beacon of hope and strength in times of war and pandemic. We can all learn many lessons from her lifetime of dedicated public service, which was always handled with dignity and grace.”
Full coverage in next week’s Teesdale Mercury including a look back at Elizabeth II’s time in the dale, the Royal family’s links, and King Charles III’s love of Teesdale.
