It is with profound sadness that we mourn the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: a faithful servant and steadfast leader. Most of us have not known life without the Queen on the throne, and many of us look to her as an example in our Christian faith.
To remember our longest serving monarch, it is advised that rather than travelling to London, you look to your local churches. Many of them will have condolence books available to be signed, and a space for you to light a candle, or pray for Her Majesty’s family, and the nation, at this time. There will also be memorial services or opportunities for collective prayer across the diocese. You can find a local church here. There is also an online condolence book available to sign on the Church of England website and you can light a virtual candle for Her Majesty here.
We recognise, as we enter a period of National Mourning, that many parishes will be busy making plans for your local communities to remember the life of The Queen. There is guidance being regularly updated on the Church of England website. Here, you will find information about the ringing of bells and flying of flags, key dates, and resources for services and social media.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered and mourned in the Diocese of Salisbury, as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and a true example of Christ-like servanthood. She visited the diocese many times, with her first visit being to distribute the Royal Maundy on Maundy Thursday in 1974.
At Salisbury Cathedral, Books of Condolence have been placed in the North Transept for those wishing to pay their respects and sign. The books will remain in place until further notice.
There will also be opportunities to reflect, pray, and give thanks for the life of Her Majesty in the coming days. Full details of services planned during the period of mourning will be added here.
An area to the left of the Visitor entrance has been set aside for those wishing to mark the Queens’s passing with flowers.
Dean Nick says,
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's life has been one of extraordinary and exemplary service to the nation and its Church. We give thanks for her selfless example and remarkable witness and join our voices with those of millions of others as we pray for her, and for all those who feel her death most closely and keenly.
“We pray for the King, who takes the throne at a time when our nation is experiencing great change and turbulence. We are confident that he will be inspired by Queen Elizabeth II’s example, and that he will reign with the same dedication.”
