THE Queen’s tragic passing has sparked sadness across the country, as residents mourn the longest serving monarch in England’s history.
Palace officials confirmed the Queen died yesterday, aged 96, after she suffered declining health following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
She had curtailed her royal visits and the Prime Minister Liz Truss was invited to form her Government following a meeting at Balmoral, the Queen’s Scottish residence, rather than the Queen travelling back to Buckingham Palace in London.
The Queen was the country’s longest serving monarch and had been a regular visitor to south Essex.
She received a rapturous welcome from crowds on every occasion.
In October 30, 1991, she came to open the imposing sky-scraping bridge named in her honour at West Thurrock - the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.
Eight years later in March 1999 she was back, this time visiting Southend and Basildon. As the Royal cavalcade rolled along Southend seafront, thousands turned out for a day they will never forget.
The Royal couple travelled along Marine Parade from the Kursaal before stopping opposite the Hope Hotel to meet the assembled crowds. Former Southend mayor Nora Goodman accompanied the Queen as she strolled down the Golden Mile. Mrs Goodman, who sadly passed away in 2019, described it as a day she would never forget following the visit.
She said: “I was very overwhelmed by her. She was so interested in the town and asked all sorts of questions. She wanted to know all about the pier and the history of the town.”
Looking majestic in a red coat and matching red hat, the Queen joined by Prince Philip, then came to Basildon to open the world’s first glass belltower in St Martin’s Square, built to mark the town’s 50th birthday.
Baroness Angela Smith, who was Labour MP for Basildon at the time, recalls the day fondly.
“I remember it as an important day for Basildon, but a fun day,” she said, speaking previously.
“A lot of people came out to see her and she spoke to a lot of people. She spent a lot of time engaging with the public. The town centre had a carnival atmosphere.”
In 2014 Her Majesty visited Chelmsford Cathedral for a service to celebrate the diocese’s 100th anniversary. She also visited Tilbury in 1953, just a few months before her coronation, to meet survivors of the devastating North Sea flood. In 1981 she received a rousing welcome when she came to South Woodham Ferrers.
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