Business, civic and academic leaders from Bath today joined the nation in mourning the death yesterday afternoon of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, paying tribute to her life and selfless service.
The Union flag is flying half-mast at Bath Guildhall, where a book of condolence will be opened tomorrow. Floral tributes are also being left at Parade Gardens.
Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, the region’s largest business group and the organisation behind Bath Chamber of Commerce, expressed his deepest condolences to the Royal Family.
He said: “As a patron of the Chambers of Commerce, she was a great supporter of business throughout her reign, most recently providing morale and acting as a beacon of stability for firms during the coronavirus pandemic and acknowledging their successes through the Queen’s Awards during her Platinum Jubilee.
“The Queen was a frequent visitor to the South West. During her last official visit in late 2021, she met world leaders at the G7 Summit.
“Throughout her seven decades of service, she has provided selfless service to millions and has been a symbol of strength, courage and grace.
“It is with great sadness that we mourn her passing and we honour and celebrate her admirable and unwavering service to society and business.”
Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, pictured, described the Queen as a loyal and committed stateswoman who represented the best of the country for 70 years.
“The reaction shows in what massive esteem the Queen is held,” she said.
“Her legacy will live on as a fantastic head of state and the longest-serving monarch in the world. The Queen represented duty and courage as well as warmth and compassion.
“She was a living reminder of our collective past, of the greatest generation and their sacrifices for our freedom.
“My thoughts are with Her Majesty’s family at what must be an impossibly difficult time.”
Metro Mayor Dan Norris, pictured, who leads the West of England Combined Authority, said it had been 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 UK but across the globe, ” he added.
“She 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.
“As 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.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council chair Cllr Shaun Stephenson McGall said: “On behalf of the council, and the people of Bath and North East Somerset, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Royal Family.
“We are truly saddened to learn of the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, who visited our area on a number of occasions and was much admired by the people of Bath and North East Somerset.
“As well as being a respected figurehead locally, nationwide and worldwide, we must remember that at heart, HRH Queen Elizabeth II was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
“And it is with her family that our thoughts lie at this difficult time. We hope and pray that they will find comfort and strength in each other and through our own words of respect and remembrance.”
The University of Bath said its thoughts and sincere condolences were with the Royal Family, particularly the Queen’s youngest son Prince Edward, who is its chancellor.
University vice-chancellor and president Prof Ian White, pictured, who is also Deputy Lieutenant for Somerset, said: “As a university we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Royal Highness.
“I would like to pay tribute to her selfless dedication to our sovereign nations which served as an inspiration to all.”
The Queen met with the university’s academics and students several times over the years, visiting the campus in 2002 as part of her Golden Jubilee tour, while its academics presented their research to her during a Diamond Jubilee visit to Bristol in 2012.
Most recently, in 2019, she was informed of research by Bath academics into reducing horseracing-related injuries during a royal visit to Somerset.
A book of condolence has been opened in the university chaplaincy and another will open from 10am on Monday in the library foyer.
Bath Spa University also released a statement saying it mourned the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and expressed sincere condolences to her family and the country.
