PRIMARY school children have paid their respects to the Queen following her death.

On Friday, pupils from The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester joined their headteacher Gary Spracklen and deputy headteacher Corinne March in laying a tribute to Her Majesty at the bandstand in Borough Gardens, Dorchester.

Speaking on behalf of the school, Mr Spracklen said: “We join the nation and the world in mourning the loss of HRH Queen Elizabeth II. She was a true inspiration to all and she will be missed greatly by the children and staff here at The Prince of Wales School.”

The Prince of Wales School has issued the following advice to families to consider when speaking to children about the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: "Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96 after 70 years of service. We can be sad and mourn that she has died but also celebrate her life and know that she will be free from pain and suffering.

"We can feel many different emotions when somebody dies. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Invite children to share how they are feeling, do not be afraid to share your own feelings as well. Sometimes it is easier to describe how an emotion makes our body feel the find the right word for it. A child may not show the same emotional response as an adult, and it is alright if your child does not respond in the way you expect, there may also be a delayed response as children pick up on and mirror the emotions shared by adults around them.

"You might want to explain that the country and world will spend time mourning together, this is because many people will feel sad and want to show respect for who the Queen was. We can be emphatic; thinking about how the family and close friends of the Queen must be feeling at this sad time."

The school has also opened a virtual ‘Book of Condolence’ in thanks and celebration of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, which can be accessed at https://forms.gle/ynwCVJemLsp1su2Q9