Cumbria’s leaders and figures have reacted to the devastating news of Her Majesty the Queen’s death earlier yesterday afternoon (September 7).

The Queen has died, aged 96, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

A statement confirming the news read: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

"The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

Born on April 21, 1926, during the reign of her paternal grandfather King George V Queen Elizabeth II went on the be Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

The nation’s longest-reigning monarch reached her historic Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne on February 6.

John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, said: “It’s a very sad day for the royal family and for our country.

“The queen has been a fantastic monarch for 70 years, and the vast majority of the population will know her as our queen.

“It’s a passing of an era.”

Mike Mitchelson, the Mayor of Carlisle, said: “As the civic representative for Carlisle, I would like to pass on the city’s sympathy to the royal family.

“Her Majesty was an inspirational leader, and we were lucky to welcome her to Carlisle on a number of occasions.

“Her visits were warmly received and thousands of people came out to see her.

“She will be sadly missed and be widely regarded as a strong and dedicated monarch during her 70-year reign.

“She showed exceptional devotion to her duty, even through challenging times.”

Joining the tributes was Michelle Skeer, Chief Constable of Cumbria Police, who said: “It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today.

“There is a sombre mood across the force and on behalf of everyone at Cumbria Constabulary, I send our deepest condolences to The Royal Family at this incredibly sad time.

“As Crown Servants, it is a particularly poignant moment for the policing family.”

Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said: “On behalf of the constituents of Penrith and The Border, I express my profound sadness at the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and send our deepest condolences to the King and the entire Royal Family.

“They are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

“The Queen served Her country and the Commonwealth steadfastly and faithfully and was a shining example to us all.”

The Rt Rev James Newcome, Bishop of Carlisle, said: “She has given through the years, a deep sense of security and continuity to this country, to the whole of Great Britain and throughout the Commonwealth.

"We will miss her and miss that sense of rock-like dependency enormously.

“At a time like this, of course, people will want to think and reflect, to give thanks and to pray and our churches throughout Cumbria will be open for that purpose."

READ MORE: Mayor and MP pay tribute to the Queen after her passing