West Dunbartonshire Council’s Provost Douglas McAllister paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following her death at the age of 96.
Flags across the area will be lowered to half-mast after news of her death was announced by Buckingham Palace last night.
The country will mark her passing with a 10 day period of national mourning.
A Book of Condolence will be opened at the Municipal Buildings in Dumbarton, Clydebank Town Hall and online, to offer residents the opportunity to share their own tributes.
A national Book of Condolence will also be available on the Royal Family’s website.
Provost McAllister, who spent time in the Queen’s company during her last visit to West Dunbartonshire as part a UK tour to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, said: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her selfless dedication to the service of our country has been consistent throughout the past 70 years and her loss will be mourned by residents across all generations.
“On behalf of the people of West Dunbartonshire, I send my condolences and deepest sympathies to the Royal family. We will now mark Her Majesty’s dedicated service to the nation by flying Union flags at half mast.”
The Queen’s death was announced at 6.30pm in a notice attached to the gates of Buckingham Palace, marking the end of her 70-year reign.
From the moment of her death, her eldest son and heir Charles became King Charles III, and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort.
The Palace notice read: “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.”
Moments later, the King issued a statement, saying: “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”
The Queen’s passing follows the death of her husband Prince Philip, aged 99, last year.
The longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, Her Majesty’s first visit to West Dunbartonshire was on April 16, 1953 – six weeks before her Coronation – when she attended John Brown’s shipyard to launch HMS Britannia.
She also accepted the keys to Dumbarton Castle on a visit later the same year.
She returned in 1967 to launch the luxury cruise liner named in her honour – the Queen Elizabeth 2, more famously known as the QE2.
Her Majesty also opened Dunbartonshire’s new county council offices and visited the Singer Sewing Machine factory, where 1700 school children lined the carriageway from the factory entrance in Kilbowie Road to catch a glimpse of the Royal party.
In August, 1986, Her Majesty and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, arrived on the Royal Yacht Britannia, berthing at Rothesay Dock to participate in celebrations for the Burgh Centenary.
At St Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank the Queen planted a Centenary Rose on the front lawn before meeting patients and staff.
Her Majesty planted a second Centenary Rose in Dalmuir Park and also unveiled a commemorative plaque and stone at the Clyde Shopping Centre.
She would return 17 years later to reopen the centre following an extensive refurbishment.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations of 2012 marked Her Majesty’s last visit to West Dunbartonshire as part of a UK-wide tour, attending a reception at Our Holy Redeemers Primary School in Whitecrook.
