The Queen died in her favourite home in her favourite country, motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart said yesterday.
The Formula 1 champion, 83, told of his extraordinary friendship with the monarch over many years.
They became close after he first met Princess Anne at the Sports Personality of the Year awards in 1971.
The Queen attended a private party in London to mark his 80th birthday in 2019 and he joined the royals for Christmas celebrations at Sandringham on many occasions.
The three-times world champion, dubbed “The Flying Scot”, is also godfather to Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall.
Here, he shares his reflections on his close friend.
“The Queen was an amazing person and the most impressive lady I’ve ever known. I think she’s the greatest
monarch we’ve ever had and I feel lucky to have had a very special relationship with her.
“She carried her country in a manner that was unmatched and she did it for so many years in such style. She was the model of the world.
“The last time I spoke to her was on the telephone, maybe two weeks ago.
“She was in good form both then and the last time I saw her a few weeks ago.
“The walking issue had started to interrupt her gait. But she was in good spirits and good form in every respect.
“I did not get the impression it would be the last time I would see her at all.
“I was actually supposed to be seeing her very soon, in two or three days.
“I found out about her passing on television when I suddenly saw the flag over Buckingham Palace had gone down and that was before it was actually mentioned on the television.
“I just thought, ‘It must be a mistake,’ and then, of course, it turned out immediately not to be. I was emotional. I still am.
“It’s very sad. But she died in her favourite home in her favourite country.
“And I think she’ll probably think that’s been a good part of it and it’s what she would have preferred.
“She was still very together but very recently she was having discomfort in her walking. Apart from that, she was as co-ordinated and bright and sharp as ever.
“She was a very proud lady, particularly of her country.
“She loved Balmoral and she loved Scotland.
“I was fortunate enough to be there with Her Majesty more than once. And she just loved being there, the river, the grouse area, shooting and so forth, she just loved Balmoral. It’s a wonderful place.
“I knew she had been unwell but I was very impressed when I saw her with the new Prime Minister looking so well.
“She was obviously together there in that respect so I think sadly her Majesty had to go but she went softly and kindly, I suppose, in a way.
“If it were to happen at all, I mean, we would have all preferred that not to have occurred but she didn’t suffer, it seemed, as much as she could have done in years further on.
“We first met because of the Princess Royal, who is still a wonderful friend.
“The Princess Royal is a great enthusiast of driving and of cars.
“And, of course, I’ve done a lot of shooting with Her Majesty, as well as the Princess Royal, who I am an enormous admirer of also.
“My favourite memories of the Queen are just how nice she was as an individual, how nice she was as a friend.
“I’m very proud to be able to say that and it was a real privilege for me to be able to spend as much time as I had with Her Majesty.
“She very kindly came to my 80th birthday at the Royal Automobile Club in London, which I think was a big surprise to everybody.
“I haven’t heard anybody say a word against the Queen, whether it be either shooting parties that she had, the game keepers that she had, you know all these people had the greatest respect and admiration for Her Majesty.
“I just can’t believe that she’s gone and I don’t think there will ever be anybody as complete as the Queen was. She was just wonderful. There’s never been the like of the Queen ever.
“I think the whole world will miss her.
“She was the model for everyone. She just carried our country in a manner that the whole world loved.
“I don’t think anybody in the world was more admired than Her Majesty. Everybody saw the Queen as somebody very special.
“I’m going to miss her and the fact she’s no longer with us.
“She was excellent company and had a great sense of humour and was just a very nice lady.
“As long as I’m allowed to be in attendance at the funeral, I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.
“Charles has had an excellent example from Her Majesty’s life and they are a close family and I’m sure wisdom will have been passed on.
“He’s waited a long time because Her Majesty has been a very healthy lady and he has been doing his duties very well for a great many years, so he’s very experienced and I’m sure he’ll be a very good monarch. He is a child of his mother.”
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