As the Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne, those who have worked alongside her, from serving and former Prime Ministers to palace aides and charity chiefs, have hailed her enormous contribution to society.

       Boris Johnson tweeted:

       David Cameron described Her Majesty as “the world’s greatest public servant”, revealing that he had always returned to No 10 feeling “a foot taller” following their weekly audiences.

       Sir John Major, the Queen’s 10th prime minister, said that she had a deep knowledge both of politics and ordinary people and that he often left his weekly audiences with Her Majesty thinking “what a shame she isn’t in the Cabinet”.

       Michelle O’Neill, a staunch republican and Sinn Fein’s leader in Northern Ireland, praised the Queen’s “significant contribution you have made to the advancement of peace and reconciliation” in a letter to Her Majesty.

       Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, said in a video tribute that the Queen was “the golden thread that binds our two countries. The proof of the unwavering friendship between our nations.”

       Joe Biden, the president of the United States, and his wife Jill, sent a video message of congratulations. Mr Biden said that throughout her reign, “the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States has grown stronger and closer than ever”.

       Barack Obama, the former US president, meanwhile, said that Her Majesty reminded him of his grandmother because of how she “put us at ease with her grace and generosity”. He added that, “getting to know her was one of the great privileges of my years in office”.

       The Archbishop of York recalled how tickled she was when he once pertained to summon the spirit of God to get her Bentley to start on a cold, winter morning at Sandringham. It was impossible to understand the Queen, he also noted, without understanding her faith.

       On a personal level, the Queen reassured those working with her, with her steady guidance, gently steering the ship.

       “When the pressure was on, Her Majesty was pragmatic, supportive and kind,” a former palace communications secretary revealed.

       Tributes

       Boris Johnson: “Congratulations to Her Majesty The Queen on your remarkable Platinum Jubilee. The whole country, Commonwealth and world thank you for your unwavering duty and service. Vivat Regina Elizabetha! God Save The Queen!”

       David Cameron: “I was The Queen’s 12th prime minister – her first was Churchill – so each week, while I explained the Government’s approach, our latest initiative or policy, or indeed that week’s crisis, it struck me that there could be no novel excuse, she had heard it all before!

       “It is a huge advantage of the British system that Prime Ministers have this special access to the world’s greatest public servant and, indeed, the world’s most experienced diplomat. After each meeting, I returned to No 10 feeling a foot taller.

       “There is no greater public servant the world over, and we owe her a debt of gratitude for all she has done – and continues to do – for our country and the Commonwealth.”

       Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General: “Her Majesty embodies all the qualities for which she is widely praised, her faith, her service, her sense of duty. Since our first meeting more than 30 years ago, when I became a Queen’s Counsel, to the present day, throughout every interaction I have been struck by her active commitment to the causes she devotes herself to, her keen curiosity, and her knowledge.

       “For the Commonwealth, she exemplifies the best values of her faith, inverting the role of leader to be a true and faithful servant of our family of nations, she is consistently interested and engaged in the fortunes of Commonwealth countries, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.”

       Theresa May: “Seventy years on the throne is a remarkable achievement. During each and every one of those years what has shone through has been Her Majesty’s utter dedication to duty, her selflessness and her great love of country.

       “She has served with dignity and grace, through not only what has been some very remarkably changing times but also what has been some difficult times for her family.

       “She has seen Prime Ministers come and go… I was number 13. She has greeted us all with charm and consideration and with an impressive knowledge and understanding of the issues of the day.

       “For all of those 70 years Her Majesty has been a rock for the nation, a point of stability around which the changing tides of history have swirled.”

       Sir Tony Blair: “In a world, where little seems upright and nothing seems steadfast, [the Queen] represents integrity, consistency, and an obedience to duty beyond self. Everywhere I go in the world, people ask about her and not because she is the Queen and a famous figure, but because she excites a respect for what she is as a person as well as a monarch.

       “The qualities she has are universally desired and universally in short supply. So, even in the most republican circles, in countries thousands of miles from the United Kingdom, in the Commonwealth group of nations or outside it, she is looked up to.

       “She has a character that is resolute, and a dignity that comes from inner worth. She is an example, not of royalty alone, but of how to live a good life in the service of others. We know it; and the world knows it too.”

       Sir John Major: “You could discuss things with the Queen that you couldn’t really discuss with hardly anybody else. Politics even amongst the closest of colleagues tends (to be) ... a little leaky.

       “The one thing about the meetings with the Queen [was] nobody is there, just the corgis – behaving or not as the case may be, usually behaving - and you could speak in absolute privacy. There's no private secretary there. No notes are made. You can say exactly what you wish, exactly what is on your mind. And so can the Queen. So that is very valuable.”

       Joe Biden: “Your Majesty, congratulations on your Platinum Jubilee. For seventy years, you’ve inspired people with your selfless devotion and service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

       “And throughout your reign, the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States has grown stronger and closer than ever.”

       Barack Obama: “Your Majesty, it would be an understatement to say the world has changed a bit in the seven decades since you came to power. But your character never has.

       “Your steadfast stewardship of one of our most important democracies has made the world safer and more prosperous. In war and peace. In times of adversity and times of prosperity.”

       Pope Francis: “On the joyful occasion of Your Majesty’s birthday, and as you celebrate this Platinum Jubilee year, I send cordial greetings and good wishes, together with the renewed assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will bestow on you, the members of the Royal family and all the people of the nation blessings of unity, prosperity and peace.”

       Emmanuel Macron: “You are the golden thread that binds our two countries. The proof of the unwavering friendship between our nations.

       “This year, the 70th of your reign, we celebrate your achievements. We are grateful for your courage and we share the respect and love that British people and Commonwealth have always shown you.”

       Michelle O’Neill: “I wish to record the value and respect I place on the significant contribution you have made to the advancement of peace and reconciliation between the different traditions on our island, and between our two islands during those years of the peace process.

       “As incoming First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive I, like you, will take every opportunity to strengthen the bonds of friendship and renew the spirit of co-operation between those of us in the world of politics and public life from different traditions, and also the people and communities we proudly represent.”