Home > Dover District Pays its Respects on the Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Dover District Pays its Respects on the Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The death of HM Queen Elizabeth II was announced by Buckingham Palace on Thursday, 8 September 2022
The Dover District, along with people around the world, is deeply saddened to hear the announcement of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of communities across the district, the Chairman of Dover District Council is expressing our great sorrow and our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family, as communities join together in sadness following the death of the longest serving monarch in British history.
The Chairman is writing a letter of condolence on behalf of the district to the Private Secretary to His Majesty The King. Flags have been lowered to half-mast at locations owned by the Council.
Information for the public wishing to pay their respects
Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, we know that many people will be wanting to pay tribute and offer condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.
We can confirm the following locations of the books of condolence in the district, and where people can lay floral tributes:
Dover District Council:
The book of condolence is open in the Reception at the DDC offices in Whitfield.
Floral tributes can be laid outside main reception on the green space.
Reception opening times are 9am-4pm Monday to Friday. The book will close on Tuesday, 20 September.
Although DDC Offices remain closed over the weekend and on Bank Holiday Monday, we recognise that people may wish to express their condolences over the bank holiday weekend. Therefore we will be opening BY APPOINTMENT ONLY between 9am and 5pm on 17-19 September 2022. An appointment can be made by calling 01304 872220 or by contacting via email CCTV@dover.gov.uk. A member of staff will then allow access to the offices in order for the book of condolence to be signed.
Dover Town Council:
The book of condolence is open inside the Dover Town Council offices.
Floral tributes can be laid at the war memorial.
Opening times are on the Dover Town Council website.
Deal Town Council:
The book of condolence is open at the Town Hall Undercroft.
Floral tributes can be laid outside St George’s Church.
Opening times are on the Deal Town Council website.
Aylesham Parish Council:
The book of condolence is open at Peter’s Church in Aylesham.
Floral tributes can be laid in the Market Square.
The church is open Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-4pm.
Sandwich Town Council:
The book of condolence is open inside the Sandwich Town Council office.
Floral tributes to the right hand side of the Archway on the Guildhall Square side of the Guildhall.
Opening times are on the Sandwich Town Council website.
There is also an official Buckingham Palace e-Book of Condolence.
Period of mourning
A period of national mourning began on 8 September and will continue for 10 days until the day of the funeral.
For more information and guidance on the period of national mourning visit the GOV.UK website.
National Moment of Reflection
The National Moment of Reflection will take place at 8pm on Sunday 18 September.
The National Moment of Reflection will be observed in front of Deal Pier on Sunday evening at 8pm. For more information, please see the Deal Town Council website.
Proclamation
The Proclamation of the New Sovereign was read at the Dover District Council offices in Whitfield at 3pm on Sunday 11 September. The event was broadcast live via the DDC website and a recording can be viewed on YouTube.
Local Proclamations were also made in Dover and Sandwich.
Arrangements for the Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen
The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September at 11:00hrs BST. 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.
For more details, please see the Royal.UK website.
Remembering Her Majesty The Queen
Her Majesty the Queen has a special place in the hearts of our local communities in Dover District.
The Queen visited the district most recently in 2015 to open The Wing in Capel-le-Ferne. Her Majesty’s first visit to the district as monarch was in 1958 when The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Dover. Crowds also lined the Market Square and seafront to welcome The Queen to Dover on 20 July 2005, to officially open new berths at the Port of Dover, and for a visit to Dover Museum, before viewing the Dover Water Sports Centre. The Queen was greeted at the Museum by the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, the Chairman of Dover District Council, the Chief Executive of the Council, and the Mayors of the Cinque Ports.
We share the feelings of loss and sorrow felt all over the world at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose life has been devoted to the service of her country as well as advocating peace and the importance of nations working together.
Local Church information
St Mary's Church Dover - Cannon Street CT16 1BY
Open daily, 10am-4pm all week until end of Saturday 17 Sept, for signing condolence book, private prayer and lighting votive candles.
10am Weds 14 Sept - Special Holy Communion Service - led by Revd. Angie Stupple and Revd. Trish Godfrey
6pm Sunday 18 Sept 'the day before the funeral'- Special Sung Evensong with St Mary's Choir, followed by silent candlelit vigilwith some readings for those who wish to stay, and at 8pm the 2 mins silence with the rest of the nation.
St Martin's Church Dover - 37 Church Road CT17 9UW
10.30am Sunday 18 Sept - Special Reflective Service -also condolence book for signing.
St Peter & St Paul's Church Charlton - St Alphege Road CT16 2PU
Open Daily 9am-12noon for signing of condolence book, private prayer & lighting of candles, also open Weds & Thurs 4pm-7pm
St Andrew's Church Buckland - Crabble Meadows CT17 0TR
Sunday 18 Sept morning - another opportunity for signing of condolence book and lighting of candles.
Useful links
Lord-Lieutenant of Kent pays county's tribute to our "inspirational" Queen
Further information on the Accession Council and Principal Proclamation taking place this weekend.
The Government website for arrangements over the next two weeks.