Nottinghamshire's principal service of thanksgiving for the life of Queen Elizabeth II held at Southwell Minster

The people of Nottinghamshire paid their last respects to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a special service of thanksgiving on the eve of her state funeral.

The service took place at Southwell Minster on Sunday afternoon and as the county's principal service of thanksgiving, was attended by some of Nottinghamshire's highest ranking dignitaries and representatives from organisations close to the Queen's heart.

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Williams, preached the service, which included a tribute to the late Queen by Lord-Lieutenant, Sir John Peace.

Also in attendance were the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Paul Southby, leader of the County Council, Ben Bradley and Newark MP, Robert Jenrick alongside numerous representatives from civic, military, judiciary, community groups and interfaith leaders from across the county.

Such was the desire of the people to give tribute to our late monarch, some were left standing as the Minster reached capacity.

The Very Revd Nicola Sullivan, Dean of Southwell, welcomed the congregation and opened the service with thanks to the Queen: "We remember her long life spent in selfless service of others, this nation and of the Commonwealth.

"We give thanks for her deep personal devotion to God, and her example of right living to those of all faiths and of none.

"In particular, we celebrate all that she has meant to the people of Nottinghamshire, and recall with joy and gratitude her commitment to the many groups and institutions within our country, in all it's rich diversity."

The Lord-Lieutenant's tribute opened with a simple question: "How do you say goodbye to someone who has been in your life for 70 years?

"Earlier this week I had the great privilege and honour to pay my respects to the Queen in Westminster Hall. As we entered that historic place just moments after the Royal Family had departed, the atmosphere and my emotions were off the charts.

"This was the start of the Queen's five days of lying-in-state and as we've seen, thousands of people have come from right across our country and all around the world to pay their respects and to reflect on their own memories of this great monarch."

The Queen's representative then spoke of the close relationship she had formed with her Lord-Lieutenants and her commitment to the armed forces and charities.

As the then Princess Elizabeth, she became the first female royal to hold a full time position in the armed forces when she volunteered towards the end of the second world war.

"So many young people appreciated the Queen just as much as the older generation. They clearly understood the personal sacrifices she had made in the name of duty.

"As I have found out myself travelling around Nottinghamshire this week. Young and old alike respected and admired our Queen, her service and duty, her sense of discipline and doing the right thing.

"But some of our fondest memories stem from the Queen's amazing sense of humour. Remember how brightly she shone through our television screens when she appeared alongside James Bond and more recently Paddington Bear.

"Perhaps one of the greatest legacies arising from the events of the last week will be the sense of unity and togetherness. That was the Queen's gift to us all.

"During her seven decades as our sovereign, her warm, generous spirit was always so forthcoming to those that were lucky enough to meet her.

"She was honoured, loved and esteemed by the people of this great county and the country as a whole, the Commonwealth and communities across the world."

Coming back to the question he pondered at the start of his tribute, Sir John Peace remarked: "So how do you say goodbye to someone you've known for 70 years?

"With great sadness. But also with great pride, respect and admiration.

"It is a difficult day for us all, but there is a new chapter with the King, and I believe he will be a great King. Why? Because he had a great teacher and role model.

"God bless Queen Elizabeth II and God save King Charles III."

A tribute from the principal of Portland College followed — where the Queen had herself laid the foundation stone in 1949 and became patron in 1974.

The principal recalled her last visit to the college in 1990, saying: "Her Majesty wanted to meet ordinary people as much, if not more than the great and the good, taking her time to talk to each person."

In his sermon, the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul William, talked of the Queen's great faith: "History will not understand Queen Elizabeth's remarkable reign and dedicated service to out nation and the Commonwealth apart from her faith.

"Christ's example, she said, 'has taught me to seek and respect all people of whatever faith or none.'

"Her daily habit of prayer shaped the character of her life and the way she treated others, especially her kindness, her unassuming humility and her enduringly good humour."

Prayers were then led by Revd Bethan Resch of Trinity Church Nottingham and Lauren Simpson and Jacob Tyers, who are currently training for ordained ministry in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.

The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire also spoke, to read from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians followed by the hymn of 'O God, our help in ages past.'

Other hymns sung in the service by the congregation were 'Praise, my soul' and 'Lord divine', and sung by the choir were 'Psalmody', 'Anthem' and 'Nunc Dimittis' during which a wreath was laid by the Lord-Lieutenant.

The commendation was read by the Dean of Southwell: "Into your hands, O Father and Lord, we commend your servant, our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth.

"Enlighten her with your holy grace and suffer her never to be separated from you, O Lord in Trinity, God everlasting."

The service was concluded with a blessing from the Bishop of Southwell for King Charles III followed by the newly worded national anthem which was sung with great heart and voice.

As the service drew to a close and the congregation exited through the grand west door of the Minster, many instead chose to stay and make their way to sign the book of condolence.

The monumental nature of the occasion was perhaps best illustrated by the sight of one woman who wept as she signed. A quiet, personal, final farewell to our beloved monarch who with the utmost dedication to duty and service, was the one constant, steadying hand throughout turbulent times.

As the Lord-Lieutenant remarked during his tribute: "We will not see her like again."