POOLE MP Sir Robert Syms has expressed his shock over the death of Her Majesty the Queen, which he called a “major event for the world”.

The Conservative MP for Poole since 1997 said he shed a tear when he heard the news and felt many of his constituents would have reacted the same way.

He told the Echo: “My first feeling is one of shock. What a life Queen Elizabeth had and what experiences she had over the years. Knowing lots of presidents, lots of prime ministers, taking over when we had an Empire and moving towards the Commonwealth.

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“I don’t think we’re going to see the likes of her again. I’m not an emotional person but I did shed a tear earlier this evening and I expect many of my constituents did too as we remember her contributions to our nation.

“The country has gone through a massive transition in her lifetime and she was able to manage that and maintain the monarchy – which I think is a tremendous achievement.

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“Even those constituents of mine and people who aren’t terribly monarchist always respected and admired the Queen for the service and contribution that she gave to the nation.

“This is a major event for the world. It’s going to change the parliamentary agenda, we will have a funeral with world leaders coming in and of course the coronation of her son King Charles. This is a big event and over the coming months it’s going to make a big change on how people look at our nation.”

Sir Robert was knighted by the now King Charles in 2017 and said while he did not know the Queen very well, they had several pleasant interactions over the years.

He concluded: “I didn’t know her very well, we met on a few occasions and she was wonderful, but I know my colleagues in the Whips office who delivered messages to the Queen have many fond memories of meeting her and talking to her about life and the world.

“This is a truly sad day.”