THE Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane has led the borough’s tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth after she died today aged 96.

Following the formal announcement of The Queen’s death, Councillor Paul Miller said: “On behalf of the council and people of the borough of Basingstoke and Deane, I wish to express our profound sympathy to the royal family at this very sad time.

Read more: The Queen dies aged 96, Buckingham Palace confirms

“We have been blessed to have Queen Elizabeth as our monarch for the past 70 years, tirelessly working with unfaltering dedication. Her Majesty The Queen was the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service in June this year.

“The late Queen won the love and respect of generations of people, not just in Britain but all around the world. The commitment that she made to her role and the public service she gave is matchless. Throughout her reign she provided a reassuring and exemplary presence in our lives.

“In Basingstoke and Deane, the late Queen was held in the highest esteem. The number of events communities held in our area, and up and down the UK, to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is recognition of the deep affection and respect felt towards Her Majesty.

“The commitment that she made to her role and the public service she has given is matchless.

“The late Queen came to the borough on many occasions, especially to visit Highclere Castle, but her last formal visit to Basingstoke was in November 1973 when she officially opened Fanum House, the Basingstoke headquarters of the AA. Her signature in the visitors’ book from that day is displayed with pride in our Mayor’s Parlour under a portrait of the late Queen.

“Our councillors, council officers and all the communities in this borough are greatly saddened by her passing and will mourn this profound loss.”

Read more: The Queen - a life in pictures

The Mayor will be writing a letter of condolence to the new Sovereign and the Union Flag will fly at half-mast outside the Civic Offices until after the late Queen’s funeral.

The council is arranging for the local reading of the public proclamation notice of the accession of the new King, under national protocols.

As his predecessor did in 1952, the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane will read the proclamation of the new monarch on the steps of The Willis Museum, the old town hall, in Market Square, Basingstoke, joined by the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Lady Portal MBE DL (Louisa).

The event will follow the public proclamation of the new Sovereign being first read out at St James's Palace, then in cities across Britain.

It will come after the High Sheriff’s proclamation outside Winchester Great Hall for the whole of Hampshire.

More details of the Basingstoke proclamation will follow shortly and the council’s website www.basingstoke.gov.uk will be updated with further arrangements as they are available.