The official announcement by Buckingham Palace reveals she passed away at Balmoral yesterday afternoon, Thursday September 9 2022 in her Platinum Jubilee year.
Prince Charles is now the King.
Tributes are coming in from across the region, while flowers are already starting to appear at war memorials and flags are flying at half mast.
Church bells will be rung at noon with some locally expected to take part. Waterbeck Church has already confirmed they will be sounding their bell.
Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell was a member of Her Majesty’s Privy Council. He said: “Over her seven decades as our monarch, Queen Elizabeth II was a constant, steadying presence in the life of the nation. She set an exemplary standard for personal behaviour and over the 70 years of her reign was the ultimate symbol of what it means to be British.
“Her unstinting and unwavering service through good times and bad was an inspiration to so many of us here at home and across the world. She was at all times a faultless ambassador for our country.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family at this saddest of times.”
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said: “It is with great sadness, and our deepest condolences, that we mark the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her long reign was defined by hard work and dedicated public service, earning her the respect and devotion of her citizens the length and breadth of the UK, and throughout the Commonwealth.
“Her Majesty had a genuine love of Scotland, and a very special relationship with us Scots. Her Majesty was held dear by people in Scotland, and she will be very much missed. I know it would have been a comfort to her and her family that she was able to spend her last days in the place she loved so much.
“We will come together in the coming days to mourn The Queen’s passing. But as we reflect on her long life and her unstinting service, we will also remember fondly her compassion, humour and warmth.
“I offer my wholehearted support and loyalty to the new King, as I know will people across the country. God save the King.”
Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell has also paid tribute and told DNG Media: “The passing of The Queen removes from our lives a figure that most of us have never been without.
“Her service and dedication to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth is now sadly at an end, but the example she set will continue to inspire us in the years ahead.”
Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, added: “We can only thank Her Majesty for her service and devotion especially knowing that we are unlikely to experience the likes of her again in history. My heartfelt condolences are with the members of the Royal Family at this time, wishing them strength in the coming days ahead.”
And South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said: “This is deeply sad news for the country, but first and foremost we should remember the Queen was a very much loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. My thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty’s loved ones.
“Like many people I’ve had the very great honour of attending events in the presence of the Queen. Those special occasions were just a very small part of a truly remarkable lifetime of public service by Her Majesty, for which we should all be immensely grateful.”
More updates to follow.
