The people of Glastonbury have reacted with sorrow to the news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty died at Scottish residence of Balmoral Castle on Thursday afternoon (September 8), aged 96. Prince Charles, 73, heir to the throne since the age of three, is now king, and the Duchess of Cornwall is now Queen Consort.

The Queen represented stability and continuity for the United Kingdom, from the early 1950s to the 21st century. The Queen visited Somerset several times during her reign. She went to the Bath and West Show in Shepton Mallet in 1966, visited Wells in 1993 and 2002, and during her most recent visit to Somerset in 2019, Her Majesty visited Paul Nicholls' Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, the Hauser & Wirth Gallery at Durslade Farm near Bruton and Kings Bruton where she officially opened the new music centre.

Since the news of her death, tributes have come flooding in, paying homage to the life and work of the UK's longest-serving monarch.

Glastonbury Town Council posted the following Tweet:

Glastonbury Abbey issued the following statement: "All those here at Glastonbury Abbey would like to express our sadness at the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and all who mourn her passing.

"Long live The King."

At Mendip District Council's offices in Shepton Mallet the flag has been lowered to half mast, as a mark of respect.

This tribute was posted on the Strode College Twitter page:

Chair of Mendip District Council, Cllr Helen Sprawson-White, said: "I speak on behalf of the whole council and residents of the district when I express how deeply saddened I am to hear of the death of HM Queen Elizabeth ll.

 "She has served us with strength, dignity and grace for most of her lifetime. None of us could possibly have imagined how daunting it was to take the crown at such a young age following the premature death of her father, yet she has led this country with stoicism and loyalty for over seven decades, a true inspiration to us all.

 "On behalf of Mendip Council I send our personal and heartfelt condolences to The Royal Family who today are coming to terms with the loss of a mother, grandmother and great grandmother."

MP James Heappey, posted the following tribute on Twitter:

Chair of Somerset County Council, Cllr Mike Best, said: "On behalf of our residents, Somerset County Council offers deepest sympathies to the Royal family on the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. 

"Details on books of condolence, church services, floral tributes and funeral arrangements will follow in due course." 

Annie Maw, Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, said: "We have lost one of the greatest people of our age. On behalf of the people of Somerset, I would like to offer my most sincere sympathy to her family who, we must remember, have lost a beloved, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

"As a nation, we too, have lost a person without whom life will never be the same. We must now repay her trust by acting with the dignity and respect which she would have expected and which she deserves. During her long life she has set us an exemplary example of devoted service to us all within the Commonwealth. Against so many odds, her message has always been one of peace, unity and partnership.

"We have been immeasurably privileged to have her as our Queen and Sovereign for so many years. We now wish to welcome and support her son, Charles, as our King.

"From the people of Somerset, Long Live the King."

The following statement is from Avon and Somerset Police Chief Constable Sarah Crew:

"We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her devotion and extraordinary public service have been a continual source of pride and inspiration to us all.

"On behalf of our officers, police staff and volunteers, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, as well as to the public we serve at this time of national mourning.

"Now is the time for communities to come together for a period of remembrance and reflection, as we pay our respects to a monarch who has faithfully and stoically served us during her historic reign.

"We will be flying our flag at half-mast across Avon and Somerset as a mark of respect at our Police Headquarters in Portishead, as well as other police locations.

"Memorial plans will be announced by local authorities in due course.

"A book of condolence is being set-up and details of how members of the public can sign it will be announced as soon as they have been finalised."