Tributes from across the robotics, technology and manufacturing industries have been made to the memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II after Buckingham Palace announced her death yesterday (08 September 2022).
Commenting on the her passing, Damian Collins, MP and minister for technology and digital economy, said: “We are deeply moved by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. During her long reign she remained, in a changing world, a constant example of duty and service to her people. Our prayers are with His Majesty the King and the Royal Family in their grief.”
In tribute, Sir James Dyson, founder of Dyson, said: “I send my deepest condolences to the Royal Family. The Queen has been an inspirational figurehead of our Country and Commonwealth. Her Majesty was a supporter of design and engineering. She took a keen interest in how things work and always offered me great personal encouragement to ‘keep on inventing’. She leaves a nation mourning a truly historic figure.”
Reacting to the news, Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, said: “I feel honoured to have met HM Queen Elizabeth, and I am very sad to hear of her passing. My deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the British people.”
Neil Berry, SVP and general manager of EMEA at Berkshire Grey, said: “Thank you for your lifetime of dedication, leadership and service with enormous dignity and humility. A huge role model in leadership to us all. Rest in Peace your majesty.”
A statement shared by the National Nuclear Laboratory said: “NNL joins the whole nation in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We pay tribute to her devotion to duty and extraordinary achievement, that have earned her the admiration and respect of so many people around the world. Our thoughts and condolences are with the Royal Family and King Charles III. May she rest in peace.”
The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) said: “Everyone here at the MTC is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. Her values of hard work, commitment and a life of public service are an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this very sad time.”
Noting Queen Elizabeth’s decades-long service to public life, the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) said: “The loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has rocked the nation and marks the end of an era for many. The UK Warehousing Association would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s unfailing sense of service, constancy throughout seventy years of almost unimaginable change, and selfless contribution to our shared public life. Our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and all who knew and loved our Queen.”
Sir Julian Young, president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said: “On behalf of everyone at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and our global engineering community, we are saddened to learn of the death of HM The Queen, Patron of the IET. Her Majesty was an unwavering advocate of engineering and technology and graciously consented her patronage to the Institution in 1953.
“During the IET’s 150th anniversary in 2021 she credited those within the profession as playing a key role in solving global challenges, as well as continuing to improve the lives of millions of people all over the world. We’re extremely grateful for The Queen’s loyal service over the last 70 years. Our greatest sympathies go out to the Royal Family.”
Ed McCann, president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said: “The Institution is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty the Queen. Our thoughts are with her children and family at this extremely difficult time. The Queen became Patron of the Institution upon her ascent to the throne in 1952 until 2017 when she stepped back from a number of patronages. She visited our headquarters at One Great George Street on several occasions.
“We are immensely grateful for her sustained support, and that of her family. Her Majesty has been a reassuring constant in a fast-changing world where most of us have known her as our only sovereign. I know I speak for many thousands of civil engineers around the world when I pay tribute to her extraordinary contribution. She will be greatly missed.”
