Military and defence world pays tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II

Tributes from across the military and defence world are being paid to Her Majesty The Queen following the death of the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Defence politicians, and Members of Parliament who have military backgrounds, joined veterans and many military charities, several for which the Queen was patron, in paying their respects.

Many others with connections to the military from around the world joined in the outpouring of honour and respect for Britain’s beloved late monarch, who was not only the head of state for the United Kindom and many countries across the realm of the Commonwealth but also Commander-in-Chief of Britain's Armed Forces.

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Defence Secretary Ben Wallace tweeted: "The sad passing today of Her Majesty The Queen will be felt by every member of her Armed Forces.

"Her Majesty was more than their Commander in Chief, she was their guardian. She was deeply involved in championing their welfare & supporting them before, during and after operations.

"She dedicated her life to serving her nation. The motto of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is 'Serve to Lead'. The Queen's lifetime was a living embodiment of that."

A post on the British Army's official Twitter account simply read: "It is with deep sorrow that we have received the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen."

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, the chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee, said: "Our world is suddenly on pause. All our thoughts, love and prayers are with Her Majesty."

Plymouth Conservative MP Johnny Mercer, a former soldier with a long connection to the Armed Forces who this week lost his role as Minister for Veterans' Affairs under newly-appointed Prime Minister Liz Truss' cabinet reshuffle, said: "Devastating news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away.

"You set the most flawless example for us all. It was the privilege of my life to serve you."

Richard Foord, a former Army Major and the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Honiton, said: "For over 70 years Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a figure of unity and stability for everyone across the UK.

"She embodied the very best of Britain, selflessly devoting herself to serving the people of our proud country without respite or complaint until the very end."

Director of GCHQ, Sir Jeremy Fleming, posting on social media, said: "I, and the whole of GCHQ, extend our deep condolences to the Royal Family.

"Her Majesty The Queen was the longest-serving recipient of GCHQ's intelligence reports. She has been a constant in all of our lives and will be very much missed."

The Royal Marines Charity, posting on its Twitter page, said: "It is with profound sadness that we have learned the news of the passing of our Royal Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"Her Majesty will be remembered for her sense of duty, commitment, and her devotion to leading a life of service. Rest in peace, Ma'am."

ABF The Soldiers' Charity, formerly known as the Army Benevolent Fund, also paid tribute to the Queen, who had been the organisation's patron.

Major General (Ret'd) Tim Hyams, the charity's chief executive, said: "We, at ABF The Soldiers' Charity, are saddened deeply by the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

"We were immensely privileged that the Queen succeeded her father as our patron in 1953 and supported the Army's national charity throughout her reign.

"Like the wider Army family, we at ABF The Soldiers' Charity had the very highest respect and admiration for her sense of service, resilience and fortitude; and for the evident care and attention she demonstrated for her Army and its people.

"Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this very sad time."

Veterans' mental health charity Combat Stress, also posting on Twitter, said: "It is with great sadness we mourn the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. She was devoted to this nation and the Commonwealth for 70 years, and we join the world in remembering The Queen’s life-long service.

"Our thoughts are with The Royal Family at this difficult time."

A tribute from the RAF Benevolent Fund read: "All at the fund are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, and send our condolences to all the Royal Family at this sad time."

Air Vice-Marshall Chris Elliot, Controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "As our beloved Patron, Her Majesty inspired our work daily.

"Her Majesty knew only too well the sacrifices of a lifetime of service, in her own service to the throne, but also in her close relationship with all of her Armed Forces.

"She was steadfast in her commitment to the Royal Air Force, and we were honoured Her Majesty chose to become our Patron back in 1952."  

Richard Daniel, chairman of the RAF Benevolent Fund, added: "Her Majesty The Queen demonstrated during her reign the true spirit of public service and integrity, and the significance of military service.

"A tireless supporter of our work, Her Majesty was an example to us all and her legacy will live on for generations to come."

Veterans' charity Poppyscotland, a member of The Royal British Legion group of charities, posted: "It is with deepest sorrow that Poppyscotland marks the death of our Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen has served as Patron of our parent charity, the Royal British Legion, since 6 February 1952.

"We are immensely thankful for Her Majesty's faithful service, and we join the entire Armed Forces 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."

The tributes to Her Majesty have poured in from all corners of the globe.

NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg tweeted: "Deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"Over more than 70 years, she exemplified selfless leadership and public service.

"My deepest condolences to the Royal Family, to our #NATO Allies the United Kingdom and Canada, and to the people of the Commonwealth."

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said: "It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"On behalf of the Ukrainian people, we extend our sincere condolences to the Royal Family, the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you."

Veterans also took to social media to pay their respects to Her Majesty.

Royal Marines veteran and triple amputee Mark Ormrod, who lost both legs and an arm in Afghanistan in 2007 when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded, summed up the feelings of many in the Armed Forces by posting a photograph of the Queen on social media with the comment: "RIP your Majesty.

"It was an honour to serve you."

Royal Star & Garter has paid tribute to its patron, Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty became the charity's patron in 1953 following the death of her grandmother Queen Mary and made several visits to the Richmond Home.

Royal Star & Garter was established in 1916 to care for severely disabled young men returning from the First World War and today provides compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.

Expressing his deepest sympathies to the entire Royal Family, Major General Tyler, the charity's chair, said: "Her Majesty The Queen's role as our patron was just one aspect of a reign characterised by support for good causes and devotion to public service."

He explained that the Queen's visits to Royal Star & Garter demonstrated "genuine support and enthusiasm for the veteran community and our important work".

He continued: "As a veteran herself, Her Majesty had a natural affinity with our residents.

"Always a proud advocate of the Armed Forces community, the Queen's support for Royal Star & Garter never wavered.

"It was an honour and privilege to have had Her Majesty's patronage."

British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), the parent charity of Forces News and a pioneer in armed forces broadcasting and communications for more than 75 years, has also paid tribute to Her Majesty.

The broadcaster, whose Patron is the Queen Consort, released a statement sharing their deep sorrow at the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

It said: "BFBS is profoundly saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

"We send our condolences to all her family and to the Armed Forces which she headed and who we are proud to serve. 

"We salute the new King Charles III and his Queen Consort, our Patron."