R.I.P. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

[boatbuilder]

How very sad to have learnt in the last half hour of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this afternoon at Balmoral.

May she Rest in Peace.

[muzzy]

It is strange, and almost a surreal feeling. We all knew that it would happen soon, due to her advancing years. And yet, it is an almost-life changing situation. This will affect people all over the world, not just in the UK. It brings the important things to the fore, and lessens others. No matter how you feel about the Royal family in general, she did an immeasurable amount of good throughout her life.

[muzzy]

Bank holiday approved for day of Queen's funeral

A bank holiday across the UK has been approved by King Charles III for the day of the funeral of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. The new king confirmed the order at a ceremony in London proclaiming him as monarch. The Queen's state funeral will be held on Monday 19 September.


The Queen: A guide to the dos and don'ts of mourning

The government has issued official guidance for individuals and businesses on what to do during the official period of mourning for the Queen. The 'national mourning guidance' document published by the Cabinet Office outlines a series of dos and don't which it suggests should be observed until the day after the late monarch's funeral.

Should businesses and public services close?
There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the national mourning period. Depending on the nature and location of their business and the tone of planned events, some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the State Funeral, however this is at the discretion of individual businesses. Public services will continue as usual, although there may be some changes to service availability. Further guidance on any potential considerations relating to the day of the State Funeral will be issued

What about sports events?
The document states that there is no obligation for sporting events to be cancelled, or for entertainment venues to be closed during the national mourning period. Again, the decision to postpone or cancel events, or close venues is down to the owner, but the guidance suggests that they should consider postponing or cancelling events on the day of the funeral. If sporting fixtures are planned on the day of the funeral, guidance suggests that organisations could adjust the timings so that they do not clash with the funeral, and that they may hold a period of silence or play the national anthem before they begin 'as a mark of respect'. Organisations can acknowledge the mourning period by adding black edging or banners to their website, the advice states.

Should you cover portraits or photographs of the Queen?
There is no need to remove or cover any official portrait or photograph of the Queen. It is the custom to leave these in place. For example, you will still see in many older public buildings official portraits on display of King George VI and other previous monarchs.

Floral tributes
Thousands of people have been laying floral tributes at Royal residences in the country. But one thing you shouldn't do is send flowers to them. The government and the Royal Household request that no official flowers, wreaths, or tributes be sent from organisations to the location of the State Funeral, Royal residences or government offices. Locally, there may be places like town halls or places of worship where people will gather to lay floral tributes to the Queen.

Books of condolences
There are no official Royal, physical books of condolence, with the public asked to pay their respects via the Royal family website. However, a person or organisation may open their own book of condolence. Guidance states that the layout of the table is 'usually a trestle table on which the book is placed with a white tablecloth, an arrangement of flowers (usually lilies or other white flowers) and a framed formal photograph of Her Majesty.' 'This could be an official portrait photograph, or one taken at a previous Royal visit. As a mark of respect, a black ribbon could be wrapped around the top right hand corner,' it adds.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62862225
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/how-you-sh ... en-9265336

[muzzy]

Marsh Family Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II (adaptation of "Edelweiss" from "The Sound of Music")

This is our small tribute for Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday, after acting as Head of State in the UK for over 70 years.

Whatever one thinks about monarchy, royalty, or aristocracy, the way the British state has evolved placed a serious burden on her shoulders for many decades, and her record of service, devotion, and decency was unrivalled. She was an extraordinary person and role model, and a sort of living institution whose passing has renewed a sense of loss for many of us – not just from traditions and values gone by, but indirectly, because she was an unspoken common connection to all our family and friends who have passed.

So we chose a song that we felt captured a sense of nuanced nationalism, and that we’ve always found moving and sombre but – at its heart – uplifting: “Edelweiss” from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music.” In working it up, we discovered that it was the final song that Oscar Hammerstein wrote – talk about going out on a high.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqOlFNFc3PY

[muzzy]

Princess of Wales comforts young girl as she lays tribute to the Queen

An eight-year-old school pupil has made international news after she shared a "magical moment" with the Princess of Wales. Elizabeth Sulkovska, a student at Howard Junior in King's Lynn, was left in tears after she left a tribute to the Queen alongside the Princess at Sandringham. Together, they walked up to the sea of flowers left at Norwich Gate and placed a toy corgi on the ground.

Headteacher Gregory Hill said: "It was so touching. The Princess of Wales could see the emotion in her eyes as she held the little corgi. "Together they went and knelt down to leave the tribute on the floor. "It was a magic moment with all of the world's media there. Amid all the processions and spectacle, seeing the two of them pay respects to the Queen was such a special thing to witness. Lots of children are sad at the news and it has touched so many hearts." The Prince of Wales also spoke with the pupils and praised their Paddington card, describing it as "brilliant".

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/princess-o ... am-9277026