MPs pay tribute to Queen Mother

John Reid opened the book at Hillsborough

Northern Ireland's MPs have paid tribute to the Queen Mother during a special session of the House of Commons on Wednesday.

The Commons began with a minute's silence before Prime Minister Tony Blair led the tributes.

Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble spoke of the Queen Mother's character, sense of humour and extraordinary grace, while DUP leader Ian Paisley praised her life of service.

"She made a tremendous contribution over a very long period of time," said Mr Trimble.

I salute the memory of a job that was well done, of a race that was well run and a battle that was well won

Ian Paisley
DUP leader

"Underneath it all there was a sense of duty, a sense of having a job to discharge and a service to give to our nation that will be remembered."

Mr Paisley said: "I salute the memory of a great Queen and a great Queen Mother.

"I salute the memory of a job that was well done, of a race that was well run and a battle that was well won."

People across the province have been paying their respects to the Queen Mother with the opening of new books of condolence.

Books have been opened at Belfast City Hall and at Londonderry's Guildhall, Craigavon Civic Centre and Hillsborough Castle, County Down.

Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers was first to sign at city hall

A book has already been opened at St Columb's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Londonderry.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid gave a special address at Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday.

He said it was a sad and solemn occasion.

"But it is also one in which we express our gratitude to the life of the Queen Mother," said Dr Reid.

"On Sunday I spoke of the deep sense of loss across Northern Ireland on the sad news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother - a lady, a Queen, a Queen Mother, an institution.

"To millions of people she was just simply 'The Queen Mum'."

He added: "The Queen Mother had a special affection for people in this part of the United Kingdom and visited it many, many times.

"Indeed, 40 years ago to this very day, she was here in Hillsborough Castle."

The Northern Ireland Assembly is being recalled on Thursday morning as a mark of respect to the Queen Mother.

Leaders of the various political parties have been given 10 minutes each to pay tribute to her.

John Reid: Queen Mother had "special fondness" for province

On Tuesday, the Queen Mother's coffin arrived at St James's Palace in London after it was escorted from Windsor.

A crowd of more than 1,000 onlookers stood by as six pall bearers carried it into the Queen's Chapel at the palace.

The Queen Mother's coffin will remain at the chapel until Friday, when a ceremonial procession involving 1,700 servicemen and women will see it taken the mile to Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state.

'Tenacity'

On Monday, the Queen Mother was remembered with a 41-gun salute fired from Hillsborough Castle - the Royal Family's official residence when they visit Northern Ireland.

A gun was fired once every minute from noon in memory of the Queen Mother, who died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday.

Many people signed the book at city hall

The Queen Mother paid 14 visits to Northern Ireland between 1924 and her death.

Her last was on June 29, 1990 when she visited the Black Watch - one of the Army regiments she had close associations with - at Ballykinlar before attending a garden party at Hillsborough Castle, County Down.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said the Queen Mother had "touched the hearts of generations of men and women" in the province.

In the Republic of Ireland, Irish President Mary McAleese said she offered the Royal Family and the British people her nation's sympathies.