Officials from Carlisle City Council have paid tribute to Her Majesty the Queen.
The Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Mike Mitchelson, said:
“As the Civic representative for Carlisle, I would like to pass on the city’s sympathy to the Royal family. Her Majesty was an inspirational leader, and we were lucky to welcome her to Carlisle on a number of occasions. Her visits were warmly received, and thousands of people came out to see her. She will be sadly missed and will be widely regarded as a strong and dedicated monarch during her 70-year reign.
“She showed exceptional devotion to her duty even through challenging times.”
Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr John Mallinson, added
“Queen Elizabeth was our longest reigning monarch, and she will be sadly missed. On behalf of Carlisle City Council, I would like to pass on our heartfelt sympathy to her family. During her reign she was devoted to her duty and was respected for her strong leadership at times of national crisis.”
In response to the sad news the Mayor, following consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Leader of Opposition, has decided that, as a mark of respect, the Council Meeting and Special Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 13 September 2022, will be cancelled. These Meetings will be rescheduled to take place on an appropriate future date.
Condolence books and online condolences
Condolence books were situated around the county in key community buildings - including the Civic Centre and Old Town Hall. The full list of locations is available at Cumbria County Council website. Condolence books closed at the end of the day following the state funeral.
State Funeral
A live screening of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's State Funeral was shown on a big screen in Carlisle’s Bitts Park on Monday 19 September.
This was an opportunity for communities to come together.
Following the announcement of the timings for the State Funeral and Committal Service by the Royal Household, we confirmed that the live screening would start at 10am and would conclude when His Majesty The King and Members of the Royal Family departed for Windsor.
The Royal Household announced the following programme and timings:
- 10.30am approx: The Queen's coffin is lifted by gun carriage from Westminster Hall
- 10.44am: Procession leaves for Westminster Abbey
- 10.52am: Procession arrives at Westminster Abbey
- 11am: Service at Westminster Abbey begins
- Towards the end of the Service, at approximately 11.55am, the Last Post will sound followed by Two Minute’s Silence to be observed in the Abbey, and throughout the United Kingdom. The National Anthem will bring the State Funeral Service to a close at approximately 12noon.
- 12pm approx: Procession to Wellington Arch begins shortly after.
- 1pm: Procession led by the King arrives at Wellington Arch and departs for Windsor Castle.
The guidance for those planning to attend the Carlisle screening was as follows:
- Live BBC One coverage was screened from 10am.
- The screen was ocated near to the Queen Victoria monument in Bitts Park. The main access to the site was via Bitts Park car park or Mayor’s Drive.
- No seating was available.
- Tribe Carlisle was closed and there was no food and drink concessions.
- There is free parking in Carlisle City Council city centre car parks on weekends and Bank holidays. This includes Bitts Park car park and Castle car park.
The State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II took place on Monday 19 September 11am at Westminster Abbey.
Following the funeral, the coffin travelled in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the coffin travelled to Windsor and once there, the State Hearse travelled to St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle via the Long Walk.
A Committal Service then took place in St George's Chapel.
The Lying-in-State of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Lying-in-State of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took place in Westminster Hall. It was open to the public 24 hours a day from 5pm on Wednesday 14 September until 6.30am on Monday 19 September.
The BBC’s red button service provided a live feed from Westminster Hall and ITV and Sky ran extensive coverage. An online book of condolence was available for people to add personal messages.
Laying of flowers - Carlisle
The laying of flowers was suggested to take place outside Carlisle Cathedral in front of the East Window. It was preferred for no cellophane wrappers to be left with the flowers, if possible. Further details regarding the laying of flowers can be found on the Cumbria County Council website.
Flags
The Union Flags on Civic Centre and the Old Town Hall were lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The flags remained in place up to 8am the day after the State Funeral.
National mourning guidance
The National mourning guidance included 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
Proclamations
The Proclamation was made at St James’s Palace on Saturday 10 September at 11am, then at the Royal Exchange in the City of London at 12noon.
On Sunday 11 September, the Proclamation was made in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast before being cascaded to County, City, Borough and Parish Level.
The High Sheriff of Cumbria, Mr Alan McViety made the proclamation outside The Courts, on English Street in Carlisle very shortly after 12noon on Sunday 11 September. A proclamation was then made in each district, including the City of Carlisle. A copy of the Carlisle programme is available as a downloadable document.