The boss of UK Spy organisation MI6 has paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following news of her passing.
Richard Moore, the leader of the secretive spy agency, posted a long and touching message to her, saying he was "always struck by her candour, wit and burning sense of duty".
Also known as the Secret Intelligence Service or SIS, MI6 has seen 15 chiefs come and go during the reign of Elizabeth II – the same as the number of Prime Ministers to serve during her astonishing 70-year period on the throne.
READ MORE: Queen dies aged 96 as longest-reigning monarch loses long-running health battle
In the statement, Mr Moore said: "On behalf of the officers of the Secret Intelligence Service, I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to the Royal Family.
"Her Majesty The Queen's long record of public service is unparalleled in our nation's history.
"She was a source of stability, good judgement and wisdom to the United Kingdom for seven decades, and shepherded us through the profoundest of global changes and challenges over that period.
"We owe a deep debt of gratitude for her unwavering devotion to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
"Fifteen Chiefs of SIS held office during her long reign. Each of us were honoured to oversee the provision of intelligence to our longest running reader of our intelligence reports. In my meetings with The Queen, I was always struck by her candour, wit and burning sense of duty.
"All of us in the Service – whether at home or overseas – will take time to mourn her loss and to celebrate her extraordinary life of public service.
"We will honour her and remember her legacy, while supporting His Majesty The King in his duties as our sovereign."
The tribute was signed off with the code letter of the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service – "C".
Tributes have poured in from every corner of the world, in every industry and sector of humanity – even Vladimir Putin.
Hoards of politicians have paid their respects such as Prime Minister Liz Truss, as have multi-billionaire tech gurus such as Jeff Bezos.
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