Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
1926 - 2022
Buckingham Palace has confirmed the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The city of Manchester will be observing the official mourning period.
More details will be added as they are confirmed.
The Queen’s Books of Condolence
The Queen’s Books of Condolence will be open to visitors in the Reading Room of Central Library from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday until Tuesday 20 September.
The Books of Condolence will close at 8pm on Tuesday 20th and then removed, bound and kept in our Manchester Archive at Manchester Central Library.
Manchester Cathedral will also be open from 8am each day for members of the public to sign a book of condolence and light a candle. Find out more at www.manchestercathedral.org/
National Book of Condolence
The National Book of Condolence, which will be kept by the Royal Household will be hosted at www.royal.uk/
Queen Elizabeth II and Manchester exhibition – Friday 16 September
A photo and video exhibition to commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her tips to Manchester will be open to the public from today. The exhibition is free and on display on the ground floor of Central Library.
National Moment of Reflection
A National Moment of Reflection will take place at 8pm on Sunday 18 September, the night before the State Funeral, and will be marked by a one-minute silence.
People are encouraged to mark the silence privately at home, with friends and family, out on doorsteps or the street with neighbours, or at locally arranged community events and vigils.
Community groups, clubs and other organisations across the country are encouraged to take part and people overseas are also encouraged to observe the one-minute silence at 8pm local time.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester will be marking the one-minute silence in St Ann’s Square.
Read more about the national moment of reflection
Service at Manchester Cathedral Sunday 18 September
A requiem mass giving thanks for the life of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Manchester Cathedral at 10:30am on Sunday 18 September a A Civic Service of Thanksgiving will take place at 2.30pm. A tribute will be paid by Bishop of Manchester David Walker.
Find out more about the service
Floral tributes
Residents may wish to lay flowers to mark Her Majesty’s death. You can lay flowers at St Ann's Square until 8pm on Tuesday September, when the area will be closed and the flowers then removed.
We would ask anyone laying floral tributes to remove any plastic/cellophane wrappings and anything that is non-biodegradable. This will ensure that when collected, all of the flowers can be composted.
You may wish to make a donation to one of HM The Queen’s many patronages. For a list of patronages and how you can donate visit www.royal.uk/charities-and-patronages
Funeral
The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September at 11am BST. Find out more about the funeral and how it will be marked in Manchester.
Prior to the State Funeral, The Queen will Lie-in-State in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects. Read more about the period where the Queen will be lying-in-state at the Palace of Westminster
There will be a number of changes to services as the date of the funeral will be a bank holiday. Read about our service closures
Flags
The flag on Central Library has been lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The flag will remain in place up to 8am the day after the State Funeral.
National mourning guidance
The National mourning guidance has now been published and includes information on the period of mourning, floral tributes and the State funeral. Read the official mourning guidance from gov.uk
Further mourning guidance for faith and belief groups and places of worship
Other events have taken place as part of the mourning period including the Proclamation of His Royal Highness King Charles III and a visit from the Prince Edward Earl of Wessex. Read more about these events