Trade pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has died aged 96

The book trade has paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died peacefully at Balmoral Castle yesterday aged 96. 

She was the UK’s longest reigning monarch, and head of state of the UK and 14 other countries, including Australia, Canada and Jamaica. 

King Charles III, who became the new monarch immediately, is expected to address the nation today. He said his mother’s death was a moment of "greatest sadness for me and all members of my family". The new prime minister Liz Truss described the Queen as "the rock upon which modern Britain was built". 

Business is expected to continue as normal in the immediate term with schools and shops to remain open. However some bigger events, such as the Mercury Music Prize and the Test Match, have been cancelled; the rail strikes planned for later this week have also been called off. An announcement about the funeral is expected today as the UK enters a period of mourning.

Nicola Solomon, chief executive of the Society of Authors (SoA), said: “With the rest of the nation we were very saddened to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She served the nation for her whole adult life with duty and calm devotion. She symbolised a stability and constancy which, against all the uncertainties and insecurities of 2022, people need more than ever. Her loss will be profoundly felt and we send her condolences to the family.” 

Dan Conway, c.e.o. of the Publishers Association (PA), added: “All of us at the Publishers Association are saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and send our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family. She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that will inspire generations to come.” 

Catherine Clarke, president of the Association of Authors’ Agents (AAA), said: “It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and we send our sincere condolences to the royal family. Her steadfast dedication to duty and her serenity in public life over so many decades won her huge admiration all over the world, and she will be missed by many.” 

Meryl Halls, managing director of the Booksellers Association (BA) also sent “her deepest condolences to the royal family” on “behalf of all bookselling members of the BA and the association itself”. She said the Queen “has been the backdrop to all of our lives and her passing truly marks the end of an age”. 

Many publishing figures and publishing houses issued statements mourning the loss of the monarch yesterday. Penguin Random House (PRH) said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We join the nation and the world in recognising and respecting her extraordinary and steadfast commitment to service over the past 70 years, which has been both admirable and inspirational. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family.” 

HarperCollins noted: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. She was a constant in an ever-changing world and her life of service was respected by many millions here and around the globe who admired and loved her. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.” 

Hachette UK added: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been a symbol of continuity for over 70 years. Her reassuring presence and unwavering sense of duty earned her respect and admiration around the world, and we are incredibly saddened to hear of her death today. She will be greatly missed.” 

A spokesperson for Bloomsbury said: "We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen and are thankful for her many years of loyal service and join the nation in remembering her extraordinary commitment to the British people.  On behalf of everyone at Bloomsbury Publishing we send our heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences to The Royal Family."

Bonnier also commented: “We join the nation, the Commonwealth, and the world in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family.”

At small indie Sweet Cherry Publishing, senior executive Divia Kainth described the Queen as “an icon of dedication, hard work and agility” adding: “We are an industry of change, but it was her admirable continuity that kept us grounded. We mourn with London, the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world. This is the time to come together and lean on each other.” 

Waterstones also issued a statement, saying: “Waterstones is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and extend our condolences to the royal family. We add our sincere appreciation to that expressed by so many for the steadfast leadership given to us all by Her Majesty over her long reign.” 

The library sector also paid tribute. The Trustees of Libraries Connected, the independent charity representing public libraries, said:  "We are all deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

"During her 70-year reign, the Queen visited hundreds of public libraries and formally opened many, including Mansfield Library in her silver jubilee year and most recently Chester’s Storyhouse in 2018. This support - which reflects the vital role libraries play in our communities - has been hugely appreciated by library workers and users alike.

"On behalf of everyone at Libraries Connected, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family for their loss."