Businesses from across Wales have been paying tribute to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96.
The UK’s longest-serving monarch died peacefully at her Scottish estate of Balmoral on Thursday afternoon where she had spent much of the summer.
Her son and successor King Charles III said the death of his beloved mother was a “moment of great sadness” for him and his family and that her loss would be “deeply felt” around the world.
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The business community in Wales has paid their tributes following the news.
Llantrisant-based The Royal Mint’s chief executive Anne Jessopp said: “Queen Elizabeth II ruled with heart and devotion, and will be dearly missed by all of us at The Royal Mint and by millions of people around the world.
“The Royal Mint worked with Her Late Majesty throughout the reign – detailing her journey from new Queen to respected head of state across five coin portraits, and ensuring each new UK coin received her personal seal of approval. The remarkable legacy of Britain’s longest serving monarch will live on for many years to come.”
Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Wales director for ICAEW was awarded an OBE in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the economy and voluntary services in Wales.
He said the nation has lost a “much-loved monarch who dedicated herself to us all for 70 years by leading a life of example, dedication and duty”.
He added: “My first memory of the Queen is when I was a young boy with my parents watching her travel down Caerphilly Road in Cardiff as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations. I’ve since had the honour of being in her presence on various occasions over the years but to get an actual honour from her in 2014 was incredible.
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“She always had such a warm and radiant smile with a twinkling eye. She showed such genuine interest and you knew you were in the presence of greatness. My thoughts are with His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf councillor and Welsh Local Government Association leader Andrew Morgan OBE said the Queen’s passing “will be felt by the many causes across Wales she touched over 70 years of loyal service.”
He said: “Queen Elizabeth will be remembered as a towering figure of global modern history. But legions of Welsh people will fondly recall her constant reassurance to countless local communities in good times and bad. On behalf of Welsh local government, we extend our sincerest condolences to His Majesty the King and the Royal Family in their grief.”
The Queen visits the National Museum of Wales in 1993 (Image: Media Wales Ltd)NFU Cymru president Aled Jones shared his deepest condolences with the Royal Family on behalf of NFU Cymru.
He said: “There is a deep feeling of melancholy amongst the Welsh farming community following news of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
“Her Majesty was a symbol of dedication and commitment to public service, she has been a stoic servant to the country for an extraordinary seven decades, a remarkable reign at the throne of our monarchy.
“The Queen’s warm affiliation with the Great British countryside is well documented and that connection has been valued and appreciated by the nation’s farmers.
“On behalf of farmers across Wales, I send my deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this very sad time and offer my heartfelt best wishes at this time of national mourning.”
In a statement, the Port of Milford Haven chairman Chris Martin said: “The news of Her Majesty’s passing will be felt throughout the country which she has served with the utmost dedication over the past seven decades. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family at this difficult time.”
The Welsh Rugby Union said it sends the “sincere and heartfelt condolences of all of Welsh rugby to the Royal Family on the occasion of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The WRU said: “Her Majesty The Queen was Royal Patron of the WRU for over 50 years, until 2016 when the title was taken up by HRH Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and graced the home of Welsh rugby in Cardiff, visiting on many occasions. We thank The Queen for her years of service on this profoundly sad day.”
Official Opening of the Sixth Welsh Parliament Senedd Cymru by The Queen in October 2021 (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency/Senedd Cymru)Julie-Ann Haines, chief executive of Principality Building Society, said: “An inspiring woman who showed incredible duty towards her people and her Commonwealth. Thank you for your incredible commitment and service.”
Monmouthshire Building Society said: “We were deeply saddened to hear that Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, has passed away. We send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and all who mourn her across the globe. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your dedicated service and everything you did.”
In a statement Henrik Adam, chairman of Tata Steel UK, said: “Like many across the country and the Commonwealth, my thoughts are with the Royal Family this evening, following the announcement of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“As a result of her unparalleled record of duty and service, our sense of loss will no doubt be shared across the entire world.“The Royal Family has always given such great support and encouragement to our endeavours, and we have been privileged to welcome The Queen to our sites on a number of occasions during her long reign.“On this saddest of days, on behalf of the whole company I would like to share our sincere condolences with the Royal Family and all those close to them.”
Llanelli transport firm Owens Group has paid its respects by lowering its flags outside the company’s headquarters in Dafen.
In a post on Twitter, managing director Ian Owen said: “As a mark of respect and appreciation for the decades of selfless service to our country on the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll, the flags at Owens Group HQ will remain lowered until after her majesties funeral.”
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh after the Coronation in 1953 (Image: PA)The company said: “On behalf of Owens Group, our hearts and thoughts go out to the Royal family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today. Sending much love and strength at this sad time. She will always be remembered for her decades of selfless service. We are forever grateful.”
Chambers Wales said it was “greatly saddened” to learn of the death of its BCC patron.
In a statement the organisation said: “She was a great supporter of business throughout her reign. We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family on their profound loss.”
The Football Association of Wales said: “The Football Association of Wales are saddened to hear of the passing of FA Wales patron, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this difficult time.”
FSB Wales said: “We send our thoughts and condolences to the Royal Family following the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.”
Cardiff firm CatSci, an innovation partner for medicines development which was named in the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise earlier this year said: “It is with profound sorrow that we mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The thoughts and prayers of all of us at CatSci are with the Royal Family at this sad time for the whole country.”
FUW president, Glyn Roberts said: “On behalf of all the members of the FUW we extend our sympathies to the family of the Queen at a time of great loss to them as a family. It must be of some comfort to the family that their loss is felt by people across Wales not least within the farming community. I will be writing to His Majesty, King Charles III to convey our thoughts and sympathies at this time.”
Deputy President Ian Rickman added: “Our members wish to express their sympathy and condolences to the Royal Family and it’s only right and proper that we do so as the Farmers’ Union of Wales. As an union we are rightly proud of our history, not least our establishment back in 1955. It’s quite remarkable therefore to reflect on the fact that throughout our history we have only known a time when the Queen was the monarch – a fact that illustrates the longevity of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.”
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