Tributes Paid to Lord of Mann

Tributes from across the island have been paid to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann, after her death at the age of 96.

The Queen died at Balmoral yesterday afternoon.

Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer led tributes to the Queen, saying: ‘I know that the Isle of Man shares with me its profound sadness at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann. I shall be sending a message of condolence from the island to the Royal Family.’

This was followed shortly after by Chief Minister Alf Canna, who added: ‘We are all deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Throughout her long reign, The Queen – our Lord of Mann – has been a beacon of strength and stability, of dependability and continuity. She led a life dedicated to the service of her people, setting an example for us all. On behalf of the Government and people of the Isle of Man, I extend my sincerest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.’

President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly and Speaker Juan Watterson also shared their thoughts in a joint statement, saying: ‘On behalf of the Members of Tynwald, we extend to His Majesty the King and all members of the Royal Family, our heartfelt condolences on the death of Her late Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Man. 

‘Her Majesty The Queen first visited the Isle of Man on August 9 1955, just two years after her Coronation. During the visit, Her Majesty attended a special sitting of Tynwald Court where she expressed a hope that one day she would preside over the Tynwald Ceremony at St John’s. This hope was realised during her third visit to the Island for the celebration of the Millennium of Tynwald in 1979, and again in 2003. Her Majesty also visited the Island in August 1989. On each visit she was accompanied by her devoted husband, Prince Philip, and the Royal couple were welcomed wholeheartedly by the people of the Isle of Man.

‘Her Majesty The Queen gave unstintingly devoted public service to her country and the Commonwealth, and she made many genuine and lasting connections with the people of this Island during her lifetime. Further information will be issued in due course on the formal procedures by which Tynwald Court will formally proclaim His Majesty as Lord of Mann and express its sympathy to him and to all the Royal Family on their loss.’