Published 08 September 2022
West Dunbartonshire Council’s Provost Douglas McAllister has paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following her death at the age of 96.
Flags across the area will be lowered to half-mast after news of her death was announced by Buckingham Palace today.
The country will mark her passing with a 10 day period of national mourning.
A Book of Condolence will be opened at the Municipal Buildings in Dumbarton, Clydebank Town Hall and online, to offer residents the opportunity to share their own tributes.
A national Book of Condolence will also be available on the Royal Family’s website.
Provost McAllister, who spent time in the Queen’s company during her last visit to West Dunbartonshire as part a UK tour to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, said: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her selfless dedication to the service of our country has been consistent throughout the past 70 years and her loss will be mourned by residents across all generations.
“On behalf of the people of West Dunbartonshire, I send my condolences and deepest sympathies to the Royal family. We will now mark Her Majesty’s dedicated service to the nation by flying Union flags at half mast.”
Lord-Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, Jill Young MBE, said; “This is a time of great sadness for the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the County of Dunbartonshire with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Head of a worldwide family of over two billion people she had an extraordinarily long reign – the longest of any British Sovereign.
She was an outstanding example of service both in wartime and peacetime and a symbol of stability through decades in which the world has seen many changes. Dunbartonshire was honoured to have many visits by Her Majesty throughout her reign, the most recent just last summer when she visited the Irn Bru factory in Cumbernauld.
Our condolences go to all the members of the Royal Family. We look back with gratitude and look forward to offering our support and loyalty to King Charles III.”
The longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, Her Majesty’s first visit to West Dunbartonshire was on April 16, 1953 – six weeks before her Coronation – when she attended John Brown’s shipyard to launch HMS Britannia. She also accepted the keys to Dumbarton Castle on a visit later the same year.
She returned in 1967 to launch luxury cruise liner the Queen Elizabeth 2, more famously known as the QE2.
Her Majesty also opened Dunbartonshire’s new County Council Offices and visited the Singer Sewing Machine factory, where 1700 school children lined the carriageway from the factory entrance in Kilbowie Road to catch a glimpse of the Royal party.
In August, 1986, Her Majesty and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, arrived on the Royal Yacht Britannia, berthing at Rothesay Dock to participate in celebrations for the Burgh Centenary. At St Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank the Queen planted a Centenary Rose on the front lawn before meeting patients and staff.
Her Majesty planted a second Centenary Rose in Dalmuir Park and also unveiled a commemorative plaque and stone at the Clyde Shopping Centre. She would return 17 years later to reopen the centre following an extensive refurbishment.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations of 2012 marked Her Majesty’s last visit to West Dunbartonshire as part of a UK-wide tour, attending a reception at Our Holy Redeemers Primary School in Whitecrook.
Books of Condolence are now open at the Municipal Buildings in Dumbarton and Clydebank Town Hall. They will be available Monday-Friday between 9am and 4pm and will remain open until 4pm on the day following the funeral.
To leave a tribute in the national Book of Condolence, please visit: The Royal Family