Laura, 10, and Paul, 12 in Upper Street – they had spent the day outside Buckingham Palace with their family

MAYBE the lashing rain last night (Thursday) was appropriate, the skies erupting to meet such unhappy news for so many.

Just as the Tribune was about to go to press for this week’s edition, the announcement that had been feared all day came from Buckingham Palace confirming the death of the Queen, Elizabeth II, at the age of 96.

Tributes began to pour in faster than the raindrops. Churches in Islington and beyond opened late into the night to provide places for reflection, while the congregations in those other meeting places – pubs – came to a temporary hush.

In many the screens showing Arsenal’s European match in Zurich were switched to the news channels.

The Queen’s face began to be illuminated on electronic bus stops along the puddle-splashed pavements on Holloway Road, while the lights of the Screen on the Green cinema bore not the name of an exciting new release but a thank-you message to a monarch who ruled for 70 years.

She had passed away peacefully in the afternoon at her Scottish residence, Balmoral, the statement from the Royal family said, ahead of 10 days of national mourning.

A message lit up at The Screen on The Green: ‘Every thank you will never be enough’

Her eldest son, the Prince of Wales now succeeds her as King Charles III.

Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry told the Tribune: “Increasingly in recent years, it was the celebration of her reign that brought our country together more than any other event, and once more, we will now be brought together to mourn her passing.

“Right from her time as the young princess during the Second World War, the Queen was with us during our country’s darkest moments and has led the celebrations during our greatest triumphs.”

The Queen had directly addressed the nation during the Covid lockdowns, reassuring viewers that “we’ll meet again” in a thoughtful speech about the past and the future that we quote on page 1 of today’s edition.

Ms Thornberry added: “Over the coming days, we will also be reminded again what a devoted mother, auntie and grand-mother she was, as we share in the grief of her family, and see how much she was loved by those who knew her best, in those rare moments when she was away from the public gaze.

“She lived a life none of us can imagine, but lived it selflessly. Our country has never known a more devoted and dedicated servant, and never will do again.”

As flags were flown at half mast, Mayor of Islington Marian Spall offered residents a space to add their thoughts.

“The Queen had a special place in countless hearts, and inspired huge respect, loyalty and affection,” she said.
“We will open a book of condolence at Islington Town Hall for residents and visitors who would like to pay their respects and express their condolences in their own words.”

Bus stops in rainy Holloway Road were lit up with pictures of the Queen

Some events, including football matches, gigs and comedy events, are now likely to be postponed during the days of mourning.

Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn said: “My thoughts are with the Queen’s family as they come to terms with their personal loss, as well as those here and around the world who will mourn her death.”

He added: “When I met her we had very interesting chats about gardening and jam making and she said she was very interested in it. She didn’t confirm whether she made jam herself although I suspect she did, but she was very interested in how I made mine and how I got the fruit for my jam from my allotment.

“She said she enjoyed gardens and gardening and thought that it was very good for people’s well-being to be outside in nature, which I agree with.”

Visiting City and Islington College in 2011

He also recalled her impressive memory, adding: “I thought what was interesting was I was meeting this person who had had discussions with every political figure in Britain since I was three years old and I just thought she certainly had a very good memory.

“I watched her at one of the Cenotaph events and she remembered everyone. At the age of 93 then, I thought that was amazing.”

More community figures were quick to pay their tributes.

Finsbury Park Mosque chairman, Mohammed Kozbar described being invited to one of her garden parties around 13 years ago in his role as a prominent community member.

He said: “I met her in Buckingham Palace when they had the summer garden party. She was always greeting people with a smile and trying her best to engage with the visitors.

“She was still healthy then. It was a really lovely day. We were offered ice cream. My daughter was around 12 years old and she still remembers that day. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Today is a sad day.”

Curate Josh Richards and Rev James Hughesdon at St Mary’s Church as it prepared to stay open late

St Mary’s Church in Upper Street was one of those with the doors open last night (Thursday).

“I think in a moment of national grief it felt natural to open up the church,” said curate Josh Richards.

“The Queen is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and we join with the nation in mourning and give thanks for her long life and her deeply personal Christian faith,” said Rev James Hughesdon.
“During Covid she talked about ‘light in the darkness’, and I think she gave that light.

For a thousand years St Mary’s Church has been a place of prayer and reflection in times is sadness.”

A special thanksgiving service will be held there on Sunday.

Rabbi Mendy Korer from Chabad Islington in Angel said the Jewish community “shared condolences” with her family and added: “We are thankful for her many years of dedication
and service to our beloved country.”

At the Islington Boxing Club president John Murphy described himself as a royalist who had met the Queen on several occasions.

He said: “She’s been there all my lifetime. The Queen did a lot for this country and people have got to realise this, right to the end.”

Mr Murphy added: “She was an absolutely amazing woman. She had time for everybody. The lady is like your grandmother – the way I remember my granny, people don’t realise how small she was. She was only five foot. But she was a tiny little woman with a massive heart.”

Staff at the Tollington Arms pause for reflection

Her visits to Islington had included stops at schools and colleges.

Earlier this year, one of the Tribune’s letter writers explained how Queen’s Walk in Highbury was given its name in 1977 after the Queen visited the area during her silver jubilee celebrations.

Last night Anna Walker, manager at the Tollington Arms in Holloway, said: “We cancelled the football, and we have no music on as a mark of respect.

“Everyone’s shocked, quite a few of us burst into tears. We’ve never experienced this have we? It’s something I’ve never seen.”

She added: “I’m a royalist, we’re going to go when the Queen’s in state. We’ll make sure it’s marked here.”
Several black cab drivers headed to Buckingham Palace and lined The Mall as a way of paying their own respect.

Rail and postal workers, meanwhile, announced they would call off their planned strike action in the coming days.

In Downing Street,  new prime minister Liz Truss, who had met the Queen only this week as she was signed in to her new role, said: “Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built… Through thick and thin, Queen Elizabeth II provided us with the stability and strength that we needed.”