Following the announcement by Buckingham Palace, we are deeply saddened by the news that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay, Councillor Mandy Darling said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. During her reign she has been an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social change. Her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service should be recognised and celebrated.”

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Steve Darling, said: “I am saddened to hear about the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty had strong connections to South Devon. She visited Torbay on several occasions and first met His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh when he was at Dartmouth Royal Naval College. I’m sure her death will be felt by many people across Torbay, who will want to pay tribute to our longest reigning monarch.”

Torbay Council’s Chief Executive, Anne-Marie Bond, said: “Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the Royal Family. Throughout her life she was an admirable monarch who proudly represented the nation. She was also a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her Majesty will be a great loss to not just her family, but the whole of our country and the Commonwealth.”

Paying respects

An e-book of condolence is available on the Royal Website. 

A book of condolence is available for signing at a range of venues across Torbay until the day after her funeral. Book of condolence locations and opening times can be found on our Paying your respects webpage. 

There will be the opportunity to light candles of remembrance in local churches with books of condolence.

If you would like to lay a floral tribute as a mark of respect, please place flowers, without any plastic wrapping at the following locations: outside Torquay Town Hall, outside Paignton Library and the Western Lady Pier in Brixham.

Flags and illuminations

As a mark of respect, all flags on our buildings and estates have been lowered and the Union Flag at the Town Hall, Torquay is being flown at half-mast. 

On the day of the Proclamation of the new Sovereign, Saturday 10 September, the flag on the Town Hall will be raised to full mast at 11.00am. On the day after National Proclamation Day the flag will be returned to half-mast at 1.00pm but will be raised to full mast during Torbay’s local proclamation ceremony. The flag will then remain at half-mast until 8.00am on the day following the funeral.

Seafront and other illuminations managed by us have been switched to purple to reflect the colour of mourning and others are being turned off until after the funeral.

Proclamation Day

The Proclamation of the new Sovereign will take place on Saturday 10 September at St James’ Palace, London. The ceremony does not create a new king. It is simply an announcement of the accession which took place immediately on the death of the reigning monarch. 

As a Unitary Authority we will also hold a local Proclamation. This will be read at 3.30pm on Sunday 11 September at the front of the Town Hall, Torquay. This is one of the first occasions when communities can come together and reflect on the moment when the reign of our longest-serving Monarch came to an end and our new Sovereign succeeded.  

Please be advised that road closures will be in place. Details will be available on our Proclamation Day webpage.

Local Commemoration Service

A special commemoration service will be held on Sunday 18 September at St Paul’s Church, Locarno Avenue, Preston, Paignton, TQ3 2DH by invite only.

Events and meetings

We are reviewing our events and meetings planned for the period of mourning.

Details of all the meetings moved or postponed are being updated on the Monthly Meetings Calendar which can be found on our meeting webpages. 

More details

Further information will be added to our website as and when we receive it. All the latest information can be found on our Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II webpages.