CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the House of Commons on Friday, September 9, highlighting her links to Devon and the South West.

He referenced a visit to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth where Her Majesty was to meet her future husband Prince Philip for the first time, and the recent G7 in Cornwall where the Queen met President Biden – one of 13 US Presidents she met during her reign stretching back to Harry Truman.

Mr Stride’s tribute can be watched at: www.melstridemp.com/queenelizabeth .

Mr Stride spoke of it being the “honour of his life” to have spent a little private time with Her Majesty while serving as Leader of the House of Commons, and described her warmth, sense of humour and ability to put people at ease straight away.

Speaking after his giving his tribute Mr Stride said: “Her Majesty leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of expanding and strengthening the Commonwealth, simultaneously preserving royal traditions while modernising the institution of the monarchy, and raising important awareness and billions of pounds for thousands of worthy charities. Life without her will never quite be the same.”