Throughout our long history, the United Kingdom has known no greater leader and loyal servant than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
At the young age of 21, she promised that whether her life was long or short, she would devote herself to serving all of us.
And since becoming monarch four years later, it is a pledge that she has more than fulfilled for more than 70 years.
Her Majesty led our nation through tremendous change, building a modern Britain and establishing the Commonwealth family of nations.
Her devotion to us all and her dedication to public service is unmatched by any Head of State we have had.
Her record is unlikely ever to be surpassed.
We should rightly remember her as Elizabeth the Great, a title that has only been given to one monarch before, over a thousand years ago.
Our loss is incalculable with Her Majesty's passing because our love for her is immeasurable.
No words can adequately describe the grief we all feel or our gratitude for her reign.
But on behalf of the people of Orpington and the surrounding villages, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty and extend our thoughts and prayers to her family.
If you wish to write a message of sympathy for the Royal Family, you can find books of condolence in Orpington Library and Biggin Hill Library.
A memorial tribute for flowers has also been created in Queens Gardens in neighbouring Bromley town.
But as we mourn, the monarchy continues.
Her Majesty's heir has ascended to the throne, ready to continue to serve us as monarch and dedicate himself loyally and lovingly to our nation and the Commonwealth.
And it is our duty to show him the loyalty his late mother inspired.