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Queen sends message of condolence to Dame Vera Lynn's family

THE QUEEN TALKS TO DAME VERA LYNN AT LONDON'S EARLS COURT THIS EVENING (MONDAY) AFTER THE GREAT EVENT, A CELEBRATION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE QUEEN'S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE.   (Photo by Martin Keene - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Queen talks to Dame Vera Lynn at Earl's Court. (Getty Images)

The Queen is to send a private message of condolence to Dame Vera Lynn’s family after her death, Buckingham Palace has said.

The monarch quoted Dame Vera’s best-known song, We’ll Meet Again, in her message to the nation in April, as she addressed Britain and the Commonwealth about the coronavirus pandemic.

Dame Vera died in the early hours of Thursday morning, her family confirmed. She was 103.

The Queen’s message comes after a public tribute from her son Charles, and his wife Camilla, who shared photographs of them with the singer on social media.

From the Clarence House account, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall simply wrote: “Remembering Dame Vera Lynn.”

The dame was known as the “forces sweetheart” during the Second World War.

The singer entertained troops with morale-boosting visits to the front line during the conflict.

Her family said in a statement they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers at the age of 103”.

*** NOT FOR UK USE UNTIL 18 OCTOBER 2005 *** Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, in a hat by Philip Treacy, with singer Dame Vera Lynn, the forces sweetheart, at a reception in the Ministry of Defense to mark the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. (Photo by © Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, with singer Dame Vera Lynn, the forces sweetheart, marking the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. (Getty Images)
LONDON - DECEMBER 7: (NO PUBLICATION IN UK MEDIA FOR 28 DAYS)  Prince Charles, Prince of Wales chats with Dame Vera Lynn as he visits the 'Not Forgotten Association' at St. James's Palace  on December 7, 2006  in London, England.  The Association works for the benefit of wounded and disabled service and ex-service personnel. (Photo by Pool/Anwar Hussein Collection/Getty Images)
Prince Charles, with Dame Vera Lynn at the 'Not Forgotten Association' at St. James's Palace in 2006. (Getty Images)

Read more: Who is Dame Vera Lynn? Wartime sweetheart channelled by Queen in coronavirus message

Dame Vera was born in East Ham, London, and rose to fame while performing for the troops during the war in countries including Egypt, India and Burma.

Her best-known songs include The White Cliffs Of Dover and There’ll Always Be An England.

Dame Vera released her own message of hope when she turned 103.

She said: “We are facing a very challenging time at the moment, and I know many people are worried about the future.

“I’m greatly encouraged that despite these struggles we have seen people joining together.

“They are supporting one another, reaching into the homes of their neighbours by offering assistance to the elderly and sending messages of support and singing into the streets.

“Music is so good for the soul, and during these hard times we must all help each other to find moments of joy. Keep smiling and keep singing.”

Read more: How the Queen became a symbol of stability in the chaos of coronavirus

The Queen, 94, quoted her in the address in April, using the words “we’ll meet again” to raise people’s spirits.

She said: “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”