Shipley MP Philip Davies gives his thoughts on the death of Queen Elizabeth II in this week's MP column.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last week and I offer my condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and the whole Royal Family during this period of mourning.

Her Majesty embodied everything that is best about Britain, and was loved and respected across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and right across the world.

She was the most remarkable woman with an incredible work ethic who always put duty to the country above all else right up to the very end – even inviting a new Prime Minister to form a government just two days before her death. I know many of my constituents will feel a huge sense of loss, and it is very difficult to come to terms with life in this country without her ever present and reassuring presence as our Head of State. She was not just our longest serving monarch in history; she was probably the most loved one too.

She dedicated her life to public service, from giving hope to the children of this country during the blitz in World War Two to representing the country around the world as part of her frantic schedule. Even her Christmas Day message broadcast to millions each year would provide warmth and comfort to many people. Queen Elizabeth II will also be remembered for her sense of humour and fun. We will never forget her “parachute jump” with James Bond at the 2012 London Olympic opening ceremony, nor when she made us all laugh and smile when she teamed up with Paddington Bear to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.

Her Majesty forged a strong relationship with MPs without ever engaging in political debate. I was fortunate enough to have a good conversation with The Queen on two occasions – memories I will treasure for the rest of my life.

The first was at a reception she kindly held at Buckingham Palace for a small number of newly elected MPs in 2005 where I was able to witness her warmth and sense of humour at first hand, and where she also showed a keen interest in hearing about the views and concerns of people in the Shipley constituency.

The second time I had the opportunity to speak to her was at a charity event at Windsor Castle on the evening of the 2014 Epsom Derby. It was simply wonderful to talk to her about our shared passion for horseracing. She was a hugely successful owner and breeder who clearly loved her horses – the highlights being Dunfermline winning the Epsom Oaks and Doncaster St Leger in her Silver Jubilee year in 1977 and in 2014 when Estimate won the Ascot Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Seeing her reaction at the end of that race always brings a smile to my face.

She spoke to her racehorse trainers regularly who also got to see her sharp sense of humour. Richard Hannon said that she told him she loved visiting his stable as it was the only place she visited which didn’t have the smell of fresh paint; and Nicky Henderson recalls how The Queen told him she had got so excited watching her horse narrowly win that she had been screaming encouragement at the television set to such an extent that her security detail had burst into the room fearing for her safety!

The country has lost its finest ambassador but so has horseracing and I very much hope the new King and the Royal Family continue her legacy in that field.

Her late Majesty made several visits to the Bradford district during her reign. The first being in 1954 when she came to Bradford where she met with millworkers; in 1974 to open the new Police Headquarters; in 1997 for the centenary of Bradford’s royal charter as a city when she paid her respects to all those who lost their lives in the tragic Bradford City fire. She also visited in 2007 and most recently, in 2012, when she visited Saltaire where my constituents excitedly lined the streets to see her arrive at the world heritage site during her Diamond Jubilee tour. As one era ends another one begins. King Charles III will no doubt serve the people of this country with the same diligence and devotion to duty. I was delighted to meet the then Prince Charles in 2008 when he came to open Cottingley Cornerstone – a project in which he took a huge amount of personal interest – where he showed many of the personal qualities of his mother in putting people at ease.

It must be so difficult for King Charles to take on the huge responsibility of being our new Head of State at a time when he is grieving with his family for his mother. He has my absolute support and loyalty. God bless the Queen, may she rest in peace. Long live the King.