Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has shared the touching moment Queen Elizabeth II was "in fits of laughter" while visiting Liverpool.
Buckingham Palace today confirmed the Monarch Queen Elizabeth had died at Balmoral.
In a statement released on Twitter, Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. "
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96
On Thursday Buckingham Palace released a statement stating concern for the Queen’s health. It read: “Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”
Paying tribute to the late Monarch, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram shared a touching story of when he met The Queen during her visit to the city during the European Capital of Culture in 2008. He spoke of how "she was a fan of the Scouse sense of humour".
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: "The passing of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II marks the end of a remarkable life from a remarkable monarch - the only one that many of us have ever known. The country she leaves behind is one radically transformed from the one she inherited 70 years ago.
"She was a constant, and for many, reassuring presence throughout that time, a beacon of stability in an often-turbulent world. In 2008, I had the honour of serving as Lord Mayor of Liverpool, acting as the city's first citizen during our illustrious year as European Capital of Culture.
"My first official duty was to welcome the Queen to Liverpool. I spent several hours in her company and sat beside her at a lunch in St George's Hall. It is an occasion that I look back on fondly.
"That day, I saw a side of her that very few people get the chance to see. It's safe to say that she was a fan of the Scouse sense of humour as, at times, she was in fits of laughter - so much so that she had to retrieve a handkerchief from her handbag to dab away the tears rolling down her face.
"Hers was a life epitomised by duty, service and quiet dignity. My thoughts are with her loved ones. May she rest in peace."
Religious, political and community leaders from across the region have been remembering the life and work of The Queen.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said: “For many people this will be a very sad day in our nation’s history. There can’t be many people who do not have a memory of Her Majesty The Queen visiting the city, whether it was for the opening of the Kingsway Tunnel, the Garden Festival, during the Golden Jubilee celebrations, or when the Queen opened the new Museum of Liverpool.
“Others will also have memories of the many street party celebrations held to mark the Silver Jubilee in 1977. The warm welcome always afforded to Her Majesty during her visits to Liverpool is testament to the high regard in which she was held.”
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Roy Gladden, said: “We join with the rest of the nation in paying tribute to Her Majesty The Queen, who has served our nation with selfless devotion. The people of our city will remember her with great fondness and affection, particularly for her many visits to Liverpool during her long reign, which always drew large crowds of well-wishers.
“Over the coming days, we will be giving residents the opportunity to pay their respects and reflect on the Queen’s remarkable reign. It is fitting that our Town Hall–a building Her Majesty always enjoyed visiting–will be one of the places that people can come and pay tribute.”
Liverpool Cathedral have announced a book of condolences will be opened in the Lady Chapel and a special memorial service will be held there in due course. The Queen formally opened Liverpool Cathedral in 1977.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Roy Gladden, has also said people wanting to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth will be able to do so at the Town Hall.
He said: "We join with the rest of the nation in paying tribute to Her Majesty The Queen, who has served our nation with selfless devotion.
“The people of our city will remember her with great fondness and affection, particularly for her many visits to Liverpool during her long reign, which always drew large crowds of well-wishers.
“Over the coming days, we will be giving residents the opportunity to pay their respects and reflect on the Queen’s remarkable reign.
“It is fitting that our Town Hall–a building Her Majesty always enjoyed visiting–will be one of the places that people can come and pay tribute.”
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