Cumbria is paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who has died aged 96.
The Queen, who died peacefully in Balmoral, was England’s longest reigning monarch.
Her death was announced just after 6.30pm yesterday, Thursday September 8.
Civic buildings across the county have lowered their flags to half mast and they will remain this way until 8am on the day following the state funeral, except while the proclamation of the new King is made today.
The proclamation will be made at St James’s Palace, then at the Royal Exchange in the City of London. On Saturday the proclamation will be made in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast before being done regionally and locally.
The High Sheriff of Cumbria, Alan McViety will make the proclamation outside the Nisi Prius Court, on English Street in Carlisle, where the public are invited to attend.
This will be followed by district proclamations in Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, Penrith, Whitehaven and Workington.
The proclamation is the formal method of sharing the news that the monarch has died and that their heir has acceded to the throne.
The Queen’s funeral is expected to held in 10 days’ time.
Churches across the country will ring their bells at noon today to remember the Queen.
In Egremont, people have started to leave toys, mementoes and flowers on the Main Street.
In Eden, people can, if they wish, lay flowers.
Eden council said: “The laying of flowers is suggested to take place in Penrith’s St Andrew’s Church Yard, the Walton Memorial in Alston, The Anglican Church yard in Kirkby Stephen and St Lawrence’s Church Yard in Appleby.
In South Lakeland, the laying of flowers in South Lakeland is suggested to take place at:
- Queens Park in Windermere
- Ford Park and Lightburn Park in Ulverston
- Rothay Park in Ambleside
- The Glebe in Bowness
- Kendal Parish Church – on grass to the right of path from Kirkland
- Kendal Abbott Hall
In Barrow, flowers can be left at the war memorial in Barrow Park.
In Carlisle, people can lay flowers on the lawn in front of the great east window of Carlisle Cathedral.
In Workington, people can lay flowers at the war memorial in Vulcan Park.
It is preferred that no cellophane wrappers should be left with the flowers, if possible.
In Carlisle, tributes have also started to emerge on the city’s streets.
Carlisle mayor Mike Mitchelson, said: “As the civic representative for Carlisle, I would like to pass on the city’s sympathy to the Royal Family. Her Majesty was an inspirational leader, and we were lucky to welcome her to Carlisle on a number of occasions.
“Her visits were warmly received, and thousands of people came out to see her. She will be sadly missed and will be widely regarded as a strong and dedicated monarch during her 70-year reign.”
The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome said they would remember her strong Christian faith and unfaltering public service.
He said: “Having had the privilege of meeting her on various occasions and working in a very small way with her, I’ve also been constantly struck by her great personal warmth and kindness and that will be missed by everybody too.
“She has given through the years, a deep sense of security and continuity to this country, to the whole of Great Britain and throughout the Commonwealth. We will miss her and miss that sense of rock-like dependency enormously.”
He added that churches across Cumbria will open for anyone wishing to give thanks or pray in light of the Queen’s death.
Carlisle Cathedral will hold a choral evensong service today, Friday, at 5.45pm, with special prayers and readings, and with music sung by the Cathedral Choir, including the national anthem.
The Dean of Carlisle, the Very Revd Mark Boyling, said: “Her Majesty’s long and devoted life has been one of the fixed points in the life of our nation and it is hard to imagine great national occasions without her gracious presence. Her visits to the cathedral in 1978 for the Royal Maundy Service and in 1991 to mark the 450th anniversary of the new foundation of the cathedral are still cherished memories here. We join with people across the nation and beyond in commending her to the unfailing love of God.”
Cumbria police’s Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “There is a sombre mood across the force and on behalf of everyone at Cumbria Constabulary, I send our deepest condolences to The Royal Family at this incredibly sad time.
“As crown servants, it is a particularly poignant moment for the policing family. We will remember her for the example she set in her role serving the public.”
Cumbria police and crime commissioner, Peter McCall, added: “Queen Elizabeth II was truly an inspiration, the epitome of the very best values and standards of service to the Nation and throughout the world, providing stability and comfort to so many throughout her life and reign – she will be sorely missed by the people of Cumbria.”
Claire Hensman is the Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, the Queen’s representative. She said: “This is a time of national mourning and Cumbria joins the rest of the country, and the world, in remembering a Monarch who has been an inspirational figurehead for so many years. Our sympathy goes out to her family for their personal loss.”
“True to her high moral standards and maintaining her neutrality above the political fray, Her Majesty has been a unifying influence and a constant at times of unprecedented change. She dedicated her life to her people, the countries whose head of state she was, and to the Commonwealth. She never wavered in her duty and despite some difficult and challenging times she still engendered national love and respect.”
“Here in Cumbria we were fortunate to have welcomed her on many occasions and we know that for her, and for her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, Cumbria was a special place. She was always welcomed here by warm enthusiastic crowds wherever she went.”
“Her successor, King Charles is also well known to us here in Cumbria, equally warmly received and regarded as our rural champion. He has always supported our county, always being first on hand to visit us and support our communities during difficult times such as foot and mouth and severe flooding. We welcome him as our new monarch and with that I say ‘God Save the King’.”
High Sheriff of Cumbria, Mr McViety added: “Our sadness at this time is shared by people across the globe, as we remember with affection and gratitude a lifetime of diligent service. HM The Queen’s life was dedicated to the people of Great Britain and she will be truly missed, our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this sad moment.”
Chairman of Cumbria County Council, Andy Connell said: “Her Majesty’s devotion to duty and quiet understanding of her realm and its people through 70 often turbulent years earned her worldwide love and respect. She will have a monumental place in the nation’s history. On behalf of the people of Cumbria, the County Council pays tribute to an extraordinary reign and proffers heartfelt sympathy to Her Majesty’s family.”
Leader of Cumbria County Council, Stewart Young added: “Her Majesty the Queen will always have a very special place in the hearts and minds of the Cumbrian people. She was a frequent visitor and it was always our great pleasure to welcome her to our county.
“As well as being our longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth has always shown great leadership and courage and always displayed a set of values that we could all aspire to. She was kind, considerate, caring and constant to her own principles in life.
“She put our country and the needs of its people above all else and as such was rewarded with unswerving loyalty and commitment from those who knew her, those who supported her and even those who were not supporters of the monarchy as even they could not fail to respect her.”
Ann Thomson, Barrow Borough Council leader, said the loss of the sovereign would be keenly felt by all those who live and work in the borough.
She added: “On behalf of Barrow Borough Council, our residents and business community, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Queen Elizabeth – an inspirational leader who has shown a peerless dedication and duty to her people and the crown as the longest reigning monarch in history.
“Her loss is immeasurable and will be profoundly felt around the world. Barrow forged strong links with Her Majesty resulting in a number of visits over the decades. These visits often marked significant moments in our social or industrial heritage for which we shall be forever grateful.”
Condolence books will be situated around the county in key community buildings. The list of locations will be available shortly via the Cumbria County Council website.
We have also opened a virtual book of condolence for you to make your own tribute to the Queen.
Pay your tribute to Queen Elizabeth II below:
Chair of Eden District Council, Douglas Banks, said: “As the civic representative for Eden, I would like to pass on the district’s sympathy to the Royal Family. We were honoured to welcome Her Majesty to Eden on several occasions: her visits were warmly received and cherished by those fortunate enough to see her. She will be long remembered as a devoted monarch, who served her people with the utmost dedication, dignity and decency.”
Leader of Eden council, Virginia Taylor, said: “It is hard to conceive the selflessness with which Queen Elizabeth has devoted her long life to duty and to service: to the country and the Commonwealth as our Queen, and throughout the world as our head of state.
“In wisdom and steadfastness, as well as in the length of her reign, she has equalled if not surpassed the great monarchs of the past.
“From her first Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, to the present day, through hugely changing social, historical, and political circumstances, she has remained ageless and contemporary, the very model of a modern constitutional monarch. On behalf of Eden District Council, I express gratitude for her life, and sorrow at her death.”
Jonathan Brook, leader of South Lakeland District Council, said the Queen would always have a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of South Lakeland.
He added: “She was kind, considerate, caring and constant to her own principles in life. She put our country and the needs of its people above all else and as such was rewarded with unswerving loyalty and commitment from those who knew her, those who supported her and even those who were not supporters of the monarchy as even they could not fail to respect her.
“We are fortunate that her successor, King Charles III has long been a supporter of our county and we know our area has a special place in his heart. We hope that as our new Monarch, this special relationship will continue to develop and grow.’’
Allerdale mayor Allan Daniels, spoke on behalf of the borough.
He said: “This is a very sad day for the nation. Her Majesty has been a truly inspirational figure and one of the most remarkable monarchs this country has ever seen, who has presided over our country during a period of immense change.
“I remember vividly as a seven-year-old boy sitting in a crowded living room of the only house on our street that had a television watching her coronation. The 70 years of her extraordinary reign has seen immense changes in our world, but throughout she was an unwavering figurehead for our nation and the Commonwealth, providing wise words and a steady hand to many leaders and governments across the globe.”
Allerdale leader Mike Johnson added: “She has been a truly magnificent figure and exceptional monarch for this country who has devoted her whole life to public service, not only to the people of the United Kingdom, but also the Commonwealth. She commanded respect, loyalty and admiration from everyone who worked with her. And on her visits to Allerdale, she always took a keen interest in the people she met.
“I also know that her successor, Charles, has a fondness for Allerdale, and I look forward to welcoming him here soon.”
Mark Fryer, leader of the shadow authority for Cumberland Council said: “This is a sad time for the nation. The reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has been a truly remarkable one in both its length and the changes it has seen. She has led with dedication and devotion to our nation and the Commonwealth and made frequent visits to Carlisle, Workington, Whitehaven and other parts of the Cumberland area. My thoughts are with members of the royal household.”
Cumbrian MPs including Trudy Harrison, Tim Farron and Neil Hudson have also shared their condolences.
Mrs Harrison, Copeland MP, said she joined the people of Copeland in feeling deep sadness at the news. She added: “She gave a lifetime of exceptional public service and extraordinary dedication, for which we will be forever grateful.”
Mr Farron, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, said he was utterly heartbroken by the news and added: “Her majesty was much loved by us all in Cumbria. The landmarks of her reign have been the landmarks of our lives. For me as a child celebrating her silver jubilee, as a new father celebrating her golden jubilee and to be privileged enough as an MP to have met her and experienced her kindness and humour.”
Dr Hudson, Penrith and the Border MP, said: “The Queen served her country and the Commonwealth steadfastly and faithfully and was a shining example to us all. May she rest in peace.”
You can email pictures of your tributes to us at [email protected]
