Cherisse Halsall starts her story at the place the Queen last visited in Belize:

This morning Elizabeth the Second, Queen of the United Kingdom and Queen of Belize died this morning at about 11:30 Belize time.

And while these days are dark for the royal family, she once spent brighter ones right here in Belize, a country she visited twice. In 1994 she famously hosted a state dinner here at the government house.

That trip was remembered fondly today by Lady Kathy Esquivel whose husband Sir Manuel Esquivel was Prime Minister in both 1985 and 1994 when the Queen visited. We asked her what the monarch was like.

Lady Kathy, Spouse of Prime Minister Esquivel
"I don't know, and nobody does and that was I think her magic that she made sure that she maintained a very private person. So, that's why she wasn't involved in controversy because she didn't make statements. I mean she was very gracious, she did her job very well and she knew that people felt intimidated and I think what was important is that there were a whole lot of rules about what you should do. How you should curtsey what you should but the rules weren't really for her the rules were so that the people meeting her would feel more comfortable so I think she and her team were very mindful of being respectful of other people and making them feel comfortable but what she felt. I don't think anybody except her, maybe her late husband knew."

Another Belizean who can make that boast is former parliamentarian Michael Finnegan.

Today he told us that when she was here the queen was keen to discuss Belizean governance and even politics.

Michael Finnegan, Met the Queen twice
"She held a healthy conversation with me along with Dean Lindo and Manuel Esquivel in the National Assembly. I had the pleasure of not only meeting her and shaking hands but I spoke with her with Manuel Esquivel and Dean Lindo for at least 5 minutes. It was based on our party getting into power for the first time and what we intend to do to make the country a better country and how mother England will be able to help us. She was extremely familiar with Phillip Goldson and George Price when we spoke."

But the Queen, like most people, had many facets to her in the many phases of her life. We know that she joined the women's branch of the British Army - the Auxiliary Territorial Service - during World War II, becoming the first female member of the royal family to serve as a full-time, active member of the military. During her service, she learned to drive and maintain vehicles.

And after the War in 1947 as she settled into what her role as monarch would become, she sent this now iconic statement out to the entirety of the then British Empire.

Elizabeth Windsor, Future Monarch
"I declare before you all, that my whole life whether it will be long or short shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."

And she held to that oath carrying out her duties diligently for over 70 years as Britain and the Commonwealth's longest reigning monarch, working until she physically couldn't, with her last act this week being the appointment of her 15th Prime Minister Liz Truss. That appointment happening not at Buckingham palace but at Balmoral because of the Queen's mobility issues.

And in the wake of her death Belize, one of her realms, has already began to mourn - as soon as the news was official, The Church of England's oldest Cathedral in Central America, St. John's let its bells toll.

And this afternoon a statement from The Queen's representative in Belize, Governor General Froyla Tzalam. She says quote: "The Queen ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history having just celebrated 70 years earlier this year. She was a much loved and respected figure across the globe."

And much loved and respected across the commonwealth as well. While that feeling is not universal - we found that many Belizeans felt sadness at her passing.

And while that story featured a small sampling of public opinion - we got much more today on Albert Street - and we'll have the rest for you later on in the news.

The Prime Minister issued a statement this evening saying

"Today, with a heavy heart our nation joins the rest of the Commonwealth in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II….Her seven decades as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth can best be described as remarkable in the midst of these turbulent times.

Her life of faithful service will never be forgotten by Belizeans, especially those involved in the scouting movement which she served as patron.

In the coming days, we will honour the life of the Queen as well as extend our best wishes to her successor, King Charles III, as he takes on his duties as Sovereign and Head of the Commonwealth.

Details of the arrangements for the Queen's memorial and tributes to honour her life and service will be announced shortly".