Local people, representatives, councils, businesses, schools, sports teams and other community organisations across Surrey and Hampshire are paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II after her death aged 96.

Buckingham Palace announced the news in a statement at around 6.30pm on Thursday. It 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.”

A period of national mourning has begun in Surrey and Hampshire, with many Union flags across the area already lowered to half-mast, and plans for commemorative services and other events already taking shape.

If you would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty and share your memories and pictures through the website and pages of the Herald and Post, please email us at [email protected] or [email protected]