Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II is dead. Long live King Charles III.

It was the news our nation dreaded. On the 8th September at 18.30hrs, Buckingham Palace made the formal announcement: Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at her Balmoral home on Thursday afternoon, with members of her family present. She was 96 years of age.

The sadness and sorrow we feel as we mourn her loss permeates far beyond the shores of the United Kingdom, crossing continents to where Queen Elizabeth II, as ceremonial Head of the Commonwealth, continues to be adored and revered throughout what has been an exemplary and extraordinary reign.

For more than 70 years, our nation and the world has applauded her steadfast, devoted, selfless and tireless life of duty; her subjects and her country were always her first consideration. For so many of us, we can only remember a time when Queen Elizabeth has ruled our nation. She has been the only constant in our lives.

Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI. She was 27 years of age. Her reign has covered periods of significant change in the United Kingdom and abroad, encompassing sometimes turbulent political, social and personal transformation. Whilst countries and leaders changed, Her Majesty was the anchor that steadied the ship through unrest, disaster, tragedy and success. In the final days of her exemplary life of service and duty, despite her ill health and frail physical condition, Queen Elizabeth dutifully ushered in her 15th Prime Minister. Her commitment to duty, her faith and humility in serving others, have been the hallmark of a unique and beloved monarch. She leaves a void that will be felt for generations.

Martin Allerton, Polygon’s MD, shares his sense of loss in a cherished personal memory: “As a young child in the 1960’s, attending Royal Marine and Royal Navy parades at Brompton Barracks, I was there (at the front) when the Queen visited. My mum took me out of school to be there that day and she instilled in me a love and appreciation of the Queen, which is why I have journeyed to The Mall for almost every celebration of her reign ever since.”

May she rest in peace…. God Save the King.