Tributes have been paid by figures from across Havering to Queen Elizabeth II, who has died aged 96.
The Prince of Wales is now King, having acceded to the throne immediately upon his mother's death.
In a statement, the 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."
Havering Council
Local Government Association
Cllr James Jamieson, chairman of the Local Government Association, which represents more than 350 councils across England and Wales, said it expressed "sincere condolences to the whole royal family".
“Her Majesty’s dedication to every one of us, alongside her continuous hard work and loyalty to her United Kingdom, was clear to see throughout her life," he said. "Her high regard for local government was also truly reflective in her focus and appreciation of councils’ work and determination in her annual queen’s speeches."
Councils will open both public and virtual books of condolence, ensuring flags are flown at half mast, and overseeing arrangements for the laying of flowers in public areas, he said.
London’s transport commissioner
Andy Byford, London’s transport commissioner, and his team, said in a statement: “It is with great sorrow that we have learnt of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. We send our deepest sympathy to His Majesty The King and all members of the Royal Family.”
Julia Lopez, MP
The Hornchurch and Upminster MP tweeted to thank the Queen for her service.
She also told this paper the Queen was the "living embodiment of all that is great about our nation - a connection to our past, a symbol of our values, a resilience and adaptability that reassured us of a bright future".
"The loss we all feel at her passing is both immediate and one that we can all sense will take many, many years to overcome," she said.
"But in offering herself in service to our nation, Her Majesty’s life will be an enduring gift - never to be forgotten, always to be cherished.
"How lucky we have been to have had her for so long - the light in times of darkness, the anchor in our every day, our pride in moments of national celebration."
Ms Lopez said she will "play her part" in thanking Her Majesty on behalf of constituents.
"As we say farewell to a great leader, who will forever command our love and respect, a new chapter opens in our story as a nation as subjects of His Majesty King Charles III."
She said the new king has her "loyalty, respect and devotion".
Romford Conservative Association
Cllr Judith Holt, chairman of the Romford Conservative Association, said: "The Romford Conservative Association are devastated to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today.
"We grieve deeply for her passing and acknowledge her devotion and loyalty to Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
"We can never repay nor thank her enough for her 70 years of selfless service to all her people.
"Our prayers are with all the members of the Royal Family. Now, we have a new King. God Save King Charles III and our country."
Andrew Rosindell, MP
Mr Rosindell, who is Romford's Conservative MP, said the flags outside his office are flying at half mast out of respect.
He said: “Queen Elizabeth II dedicated her entire life to the service of our great nation, the United Kingdom, along with all of her realms, dependencies and territories throughout the world, as well as the Commonwealth of nations.
"She has also never been afraid to uphold our Christian heritage, as defender of the faith
"We will be forever grateful for her monumental sacrifice and dedication to our nation. Our United Kingdom is today a better place for her presence as our sovereign for over 70 glorious years."
He described it as "tragic" that Her Majesty passed away in the year of her Platinum Jubilee, and reminisced about times he met her.
The includes on her Golden Jubilee tour in March 2003.
"I will always remember with great fondness the conversations I enjoyed with the Queen, which always focussed on our shared love for animals, in particular dogs."
He added: "The Queen has led the country through some of our most difficult times and has boosted the nation’s spirit on countless occasions, most recently with her message during the height of the pandemic in 2020.
"Indeed, her leadership, dedication to duty and staunch support for her subjects remains unmatched and will be fondly remembered by all the people of the United Kingdom and especially by the people of Romford who have been some of her most loyal subjects."
Cllr Trevor McKeever, mayor of Havering
Cllr McKeever said: “On behalf of the residents and businesses of the London Borough of Havering, I would like to express our deep sense of loss at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“We send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Royal Family for their profound loss. As a mark of respect, Havering Council has joined other local authorities across the country in lowering the flags to half-mast at the Romford Town Hall.”
The mayor thanked Her Majest for her “tireless dedication and service to her country”, adding: “The country has lost its oldest hero.”
Cllr Ray Morgon, leader of Havering Council
Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Ray Morgon, said that on behalf of Havering’s residents and businesses, he would like to “express our deep sense of loss at the death of Queen Elizabeth II”.
He added: "Through her remarkable service to our nation and her visits to our borough, she has left an indelible mark on Havering and the world.
"Not only has she been our longest reigning monarch, the Queen has commanded huge affection and respect for her unique leadership right across our nation and the world making her an iconic figure.”
Cllr Morgon said that, as a mark of respect, Havering Council has lowered its flags at the town hall to half-mast.
"We are making arrangements for residents who wish to pay their respects to leave messages of condolence, flowers and tributes at locations across the borough.
"We give thanks for The Queen's tireless service to our country and the Commonwealth, and of course we send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Royal Family in whose grief we share."
Andrew Blake-Herbert, chief executive of Havering Council
Andrew Blake-Herbert described the Queen as “an inspiration to all of us who work in public service”.
“We will always be indebted to her for her lifetime of service, loyalty and dedication to duty.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family at this sad time.”
Jon Cruddas, MP
Mr Cruddas, MP for Dagenham and Rainham, said he was "saddened" upon hearing of the Queen's passing.
He added: "Her life of public service as a global ambassador for our nation has been remarkable.
"Over her 73 year reign Queen Elizabeth II conducted herself with complete integrity and devoted herself to good works across the Commonwealth and beyond.
"The Queen has been a constant in our lives, and it was comforting to hear that she passed away surrounded by her family and loved ones.
"My thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time, and with a whole nation in mourning."
Essex Police
Roger Hirst, police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex said: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has made an exemplary contribution to our country and been a pillar of strength, stability and grace throughout her 70-year reign.
“It is with immense sadness that we learned of her passing today and our deepest condolences are with the Royal Family at this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
“As we mourn together as a country and pay tribute to her long and outstanding public service, I will be joining colleagues in Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service in paying tribute to all she has done for the country and Commonwealth.”
Royal British Legion (RBL) Becontree and Chadwell Heath
A statement from the RBL for Becontree and Chadwell Heath says: "It is with deepest sorrow that the Royal British Legion marks the death of our sovereign and patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"The Queen has served as patron of the Royal British Legion since February 6, 1952. We are immensely thankful for Her Majesty’s faithful service, and we join the entire armed rorces community in mourning the loss of its Commander-in-Chief.
"The Queen’s unwavering dedication to the British armed forces will be greatly missed.
"Our sincere condolences are with the royal family at this time."
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT)
Matthew Trainer, chief executive of BHRUT, said: "I am saddened to learn of the death of the Queen.
"Many of my colleagues at Queen’s and King George hospitals had a deep affection for her and were inspired by her lifelong devotion to duty. They share our nation’s profound sense of loss.
"The Queen’s principles of public service are ones we share in the NHS. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this difficult time."
Brentwood mayor
Cllr Olivia Francois, Brentwood Borough Council's mayor, said: "I convey my sincerest condolences to His Majesty The King on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our head of state and great ambassador for the United Kingdom, whose place in history is surely secure as one of the greatest reigning monarchs.
"We share the sentiments of loss and sorrow felt all over the world at the passing of such an eminent patriot, whose life has been devoted to the service of her country as well as advocating peace and the importance of nations working together."
Nick Bracken, Deputy Lieutenant for Havering
Mr Bracken who represented the Queen in Havering, said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of our sovereign Queen Elizabeth. On behalf of the people of Havering I offer my sympathy to the royal family who have lost a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
“The Queen was one of the greatest people of our age. It will not be the same without her. We must honour her life of service by acting with the dignity, respect, trust and togetherness, she expected from all of us and which she deserves.
“We have been privileged to have had her as our Queen and sovereign for so long, but now we must welcome her son Charles as our King, and Camilla, the Queen Consort, and support them through their understandable grief at this time.”
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