Staffordshire and Cheshire remembers Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Books of condolence are now open.
Last updated 18th Sep 2022
Events are being held across Staffordshire and Cheshire, to mark the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the second.
She passed away peacefully yesterday (Thursday) at Balmoral, at the age of 96.
Books of condolence have opened across the region, and churches have opened their doors so people can pay their respects to her Majesty.
In the coming days a book of condolence will be available in the King’s Hall in Stoke-on-Trent where residents will be able to leave their own personal message.
A service is taking place there this Friday afternoon
On behalf of the city, Lord Mayor Councillor Faisal Hussain and council leader, Councillor Abi Brown will be sending a letter of condolence to His Majesty King Charles III’s private secretary to offer the city’s condolences.
During the period of mourning, council meetings will include marks of respect, including the mace being draped in black and the Lord Mayor’s chain of office being worn with a black ribbon.
Flags will also be flown at half-mast at Stoke Town Hall and Hanley Town Hall until 8am on the morning after the funeral.
King Charles is on his way back to London after taking off from Aberdeen Airport.
The new monarch, 73, will make a televised address to the nation later.
There will also be a service at St Paul's Cathedral, where bells rang out at midday.
Bells were also rung at Westminster Abbey and at Windsor Castle.
The new King has approved a period of royal mourning, which will last until a week after the Queen's funeral.
A date for the service hasn't been set yet.
To allow people to pay their respects, books of Condolence are being made available to sign across Lichfield District.
Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said:
“The borough of Cheshire East shares the great sense of loss felt by the Royal Family, the country as a whole and the Commonwealth at the passing of Her Majesty.
“The Queen was a truly remarkable woman and her death has created a feeling of enormous loss.