TWO Oxfordshire MPs have paid tribute to the Queen after she passed away this afternoon.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen died at Balmoral earlier today, aged 96.

A statement from the Palace read: “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."

Conservative MP David Johnston, who represents Wantage and Didcot in the House of Commons, said she was “the best servant to our country.”

He said: “The incredibly sad day we hoped would never come. The best servant to our country we'll ever see. Thank you Ma'am. Rest in peace.”

 

Layla Moran, a Lib Dem who represents Oxford West and Abingdon, said the Queen was “much loved by the people of Oxfordshire.”

READ MORE: Live: The Queen dies aged 96 – Reaction in Oxfordshire

She said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the only monarch most of us have ever known.

“She was much loved by the people of Oxfordshire and indeed across the world. My thoughts and condolences are with her family at this heart-breaking time.

 

“It has been an honour to have served in two of her Majesty’s parliaments since 2017. As many of us have, I’ve admired her dignity and am grateful for her service to our country. I share in the grief that now sweeps through our nation.”

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi