How to sign Queen Elizabeth II’s official condolence book

Photo credit: WPA Pool – Getty Images

Yesterday was a milestone in history, marking the very sad death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96. As the longest-serving monarch of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, many millions are now in mourning and are keen to know how they can sign a condolences book set up in honour of Her Majesty, the Queen.

Given that Her Majesty’s role as a public servant lasted for some 70 years, for many they’ve never known a world without the steadying presence of the Queen, who has lived through 15 prime ministers, World War 2, a global pandemic and so much more. So of course, it’s no wonder that they’re feeling the loss and would like a place to share their special memories of Her Royal Highness, along with what she meant to them personally.

Here’s how to sign the condolence book for the Queen:

How to sign the Queen’s condolence book

Whilst there are no official physical books that can be signed in Her Majesty’s memory, over on the Royal Family’s official website, a virtual condolence book has been set. Anyone can sign it and leave a message or share a memory, and some (but not all, due to the high volume of notes expected) will be passed across to the Royal Family directly. Other messages may be “held in the royal archives for posterity”.

You can click here to visit that page and leave your message. In order to submit your words, you will need to input your name, location and an email address, along with whatever else it is you’d like to say. Equally, if you head on over to the Royal Family website and scroll down on the homepage, you’ll see a section titled ‘Book of Condolence: Send a message of condolence’.

Official royal mourning protocol recommends that some town halls may have condolence books and anybody can create their own personal book. Advice from the Palace says: “There will be opportunities to sign books of condolence at various Town Halls and other locations throughout the UK. Please check with your Local Authority.”

Photo credit: Neil Mockford

The Chairman of the Local Government Association, James Jamieson, issued a statement saying that many local communities have already set up sites for tributes, “Councils have been proud to serve Her Majesty throughout her reign and will continue to do so by now putting into place local arrangements to support the public in expressing their own sympathies.

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“These arrangements will include the opening of both public and virtual books of condolence, ensuring flags are flown at half mast, and overseeing arrangements for the laying of flowers in public areas.”

Amongst the local councils that have already set up books for local residents are Portsmouth City, Westminster City, Swansea, Derby City, Preston City, Nottingham City, Lancashire County and Belfast City.

How to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

As well as signing a condolence book, Buckingham Palace have issued a statement detailing how and where well wishers can leave floral tributes at Her Majesty’s various royal residences.

For example, at Buckingham Palace members of the public will be “guided to lay floral tributes at dedicated sites in The Green Park or Hyde Park”. The Palace has advised that any flowers that are left outside the gates will be moved to The Green Park Floral Tribute Garden by The Royal Parks.

The Royal households have also recommended that floral tributes can be placed at Cambridge Gate at Windsor Castle (and those bouquets will be taken into the Castle each night then placed on the grass outside St George’s Chapel and Cambridge Drive). For anybody close to Sandringham, tokens can be left by the Norwich Gates.

At Balmoral, where the Queen sadly died with family members by her side, flowers can be can be left at the Main Gate, and at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, mourners are encouraged to pass floral tributes to Wardens stationed at the entrance of The Queen’s Gallery.

Our thoughts are with all of the Queen’s loved ones during this very sad time.

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