Death of Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second

Her Majesty The Queen

On 8 September 2022 Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

The Lord Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon, and the Chairman of Devon County Council, Cllr Ian Hall, released statements speaking of their sadness following the announcement.

Arrangements

Full details of arrangements made throughout Devon, including Plymouth and Torbay, can be found on the website of the Lord-Lieutenant of Devon.

Devon County Proclamation Ceremony For the Accession of His Majesty King Charles III

You can view a recording of the event. Please note that an improved edit will be published shortly, but in the meantime fast-forward around 8 minutes and 15 seconds to the start of the ceremony.

You can read the text of the programme for the Devon County Proclamation Ceremony For the Accession of His Majesty King Charles III online.

Flags

As a general rule, the Union Flag should be flown at half-mast.

However, to mark the proclamation, flags were raised to the masthead, before being lowered after the local event had concluded.

Following the funeral on 19 September, all flags should now be as normal, at masthead.

Books of condolence

Devon County Council will maintain a book of condolence at County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD.

The book of condolence at County Hall has been open to the public for the following period:

  • Friday 9 September – 1 pm to 5 pm
  • Saturday 10 September – 9 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday 11 September – 9 am to 12 pm
  • Monday 12 September through to Sunday 18 September – 9 am to 5 pm

The Book will also be open for one further day immediately following the funeral on Monday 19th September. Please note that parking is limited but free.

You may also wish to sign the online book of condolence, hosted by Buckingham Palace.

Other books of condolence are available in different locations throughout Devon – more details can be found on the website of the Lord-Lieutenant of Devon.

Services of commemoration

There was a Devon County Service of Commemoration at Exeter Cathedral. The service took place at 3pm on Sunday 18 September and can be viewed via the live stream recording on the Cathedral’s Facebook page.

Other services were held around the County. Further details can be found on the website of the Lord-Lieutenant of Devon.

Flowers

Flowers may be laid at Exeter Cathedral on the north side lawn; further details can be found on the website of the Lord-Lieutenant of Devon.

State funeral – a national day of mourning

A national day of mourning has been declared on the day of the state funeral on Monday 19th September. The funeral will start at 11am and will be followed by a two-minute silence at approximately 11.55am. Locations and the details of any live community screenings can be found on the website of the Lord-Lieutenant of Devon.

National moment of reflection

Sunday evening at 8pm will be the national moment of reflection to be marked with a one-minute silence. The silence can be marked privately at home on your own, or with friends and neighbours, out on your doorstep or street with neighbours, or at any locally arranged community events and vigils.

Community events

If a community wishes to mark the occasion by organising an open-air event that involves the closure of a minor road, please read the guidance and complete a community event application. Please also follow the advice below to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infections.

Help for children and young people

Our children and young people will be hearing conversations about the death of the Queen, sombre music on the television and radio, and asking questions about what it all means. The BBC has published some useful advice for talking about death and loss with a young child that might be helpful for parents and guardians: how to talk to your young child about death, loss and grief.

Advice if attending public events

There is simple advice staff and members of the public can follow to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infections:

  • Try to stay at home and avoid contact with others if you:
    • have tested positive for COVID-19
    • have any symptoms of COVID-19
    • you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities
  • take extra care to avoid close contact with anyone who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you are unwell
  • Make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccinations
  • Meet outside if possible
  • Open doors and windows to let fresh air in if meeting people inside
  • Limit the number of people you meet and avoid crowded places where possible
  • You can wear a face covering when it is hard to stay away from others, particularly indoors or in crowded places
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Advice for venues hosting public events

In addition to the advice outlined above for people and staff attending events, venues should:

  • ensure general and regular cleaning schedules are in place, focusing on areas which are frequently touched e.g. door handles
  • promote the above advice to the public, encouraging people to stay away if unwell
  • ensure there is good ventilation – open doors and windows to let fresh air in
  • if there are no handwashing facilities, ensure hand sanitiser is available
  • staff and members of the public can wear a face covering when it is hard to stay away from others, particularly indoors or in crowded places
  • ensure waste bins are available to encourage swift and safe disposal of tissues and other waste – these should be emptied regularly