This morning Western Australians have woken to the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away.
On behalf of the people of Western Australia, I extend our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family as they grieve the loss of the Queen.
The Late Majesty has been a tower of strength ever since she became Queen at the age of 25 after her father passed away in 1952.
Our thoughts this morning are also with the people of the United Kingdom, as they mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth the Second and the end of her historic reign.
During her 70-year reign she has been a constant presence during an era of great change in her kingdom and around the world.
For many, she is synonymous with the post-World War II era in a way that no other head of state could ever be.
Most Western Australians have never known another monarch, with Queen Elizabeth II becoming the longest reigning British monarch.
She led the Commonwealth through some of the darkest days and will forever be an inspiration to the world and Western Australia, a State she visited seven times.
As we mourn her passing, more information will be released shortly on how Western Australians can pay tribute.
May she rest in peace.
