A Windsor resident and business owner has released an emotional tribute after losing his long-time ‘neighbour’ and longest serving British monarch this week.

Brian McCormack, owner of Snappy Snaps in Windsor town centre has been a key member of the community Windsor for the past 20 years.

As the shop sits in the shadow of the Castle, the Northern Irish native tells The Observer about how much of an influence Queen Elizabeth II has had on his life.

READ MORE: Live updates as Berkshire mourns the Queen's death

McCormack explains: “My first reaction was shock if I’m honest. I was at a meeting where one thing we do is sing God Save the Queen. This was when words were coming through that the Queen’s health was declining.

 

“It was surreal standing singing God Save the Queen and then about an hour later, toasting the king.”

Emotion takes over as Brian speaks about the lack of sense it made in that moment in time.

Having only known one monarch in his life he has said that ‘not being able to say God Save the Queen is going to be difficult.’

“We all understand the need for the succession to carry on and the immediacy of King Charles III coming to the throne but she’s been around forever,” he explained.

“She been a big part of everyone’s life, my entire life.”

A stray tear rolled down his cheek as the Windsor business owner described his relationships that he has formed over the years in the business community.

He said holding back the tears: “I’ve had the business in Windsor for 20 years and feel very much like the fabric of the town and she’s been like a neighbour. I’m very friendly with all the people who work in the castle and my heart goes out to them.

“They have lost a very good friend in her majesty.”

READ MORE: Windsor Castle: Mourners pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen

After many years on the throne, the world celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and 70 years of the throne at the age of 96.

The years of honour and dedication to her duty and service to the UK and commonwealth will be what Brian and those around the world will remember.

He added: I will always remember her absolute dedication to the job. A job she didn’t really want.

"History thrust her into a position she found herself in and she she accepted it with faultless dedication

“Did she put a foot wrong, possibly, but there wasn’t any sign of that. She lived with the utmost discretion.

“She was an absolute role model to everybody and just the absolute solid rock she was for the United Kingdom was astounding.”