Updated Tuesday 13 September
As we observe the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen on Monday 19 September, most of our services will be closed for the day. You can find more information on the Dorset Council website.
We have also set up a new webpage with funeral information and memories.
Friday 9 September 2022
Charles III, The Queen’s eldest son, is now the King of the United Kingdom and has addressed the nation. The National Accession Proclamation will take place at 10am on Saturday 10 September at St. James’s Palace.
Following this, a local proclamation ceremony conducted by the High Sheriff of Dorset, Sibyl King in the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant, Angus Campbell, will take place at 1pm on Sunday 11 September on the front steps outside County Hall, Dorchester. Members of the public are welcome to attend. You can arrive from 12:45pm to gather in front of the steps.
Following the announcement yesterday of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, an online book of condolence is available on the Buckingham Palace website. Books of condolence are also available during opening hours at County Hall, Dorchester and in all Dorset libraries.
We invite people to leave flowers at the Memorial Corner to the front of County Hall, Dorchester. They will remain in place until 5pm on the day after the funeral of Her Majesty. In the event of continued inclement weather, they may be removed earlier. We ask that any flowers are unwrapped, and no non-compostable items are used.
Thursday 8 September 2022
The Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset and the Chairman of Dorset Council have paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen who has died at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace issued the following statement yesterday:
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Thursday, 8 September 2022
Her Majesty was on the throne for 70 years and was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Angus Campbell, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Dorset said:
“The country is in deep mourning following the loss of Her Majesty. All our thoughts are with the members of the Royal Family at this most difficult time.
“Whilst still a Princess, on her twenty-first birthday, Her Majesty broadcast a declaration to the country and the Commonwealth which included the words:
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”
“Those words encapsulate the love, service and pure strength of character with which Her Majesty has led the monarchy of Great Britain and the Commonwealth over her extraordinary seventy-year reign. It is so special to see the words of a twenty-one-year-old Princess so perfectly foreshadowing her long life of dedicated service to us all.
“We have all lost a unique, loving and determined Monarch who has, over seventy years, not only delivered the extraordinary, devoted service and support she promised at such an early age, but given us so very much more besides.
“Our loss is incalculable.”
Cllr Val Pothecary, Chairman of Dorset Council, said:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and the country as we mourn the loss of Her Majesty, and I would like to offer them our heartfelt condolences. We give thanks for her wonderful life and years of devotion to serving the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. She has been an inspiration to us all.”
If you have any queries or concerns relating to arrangements, please call 01305 221000.
A wonderful Queen we were privileged to have, so sad at her passing she will be sadly missed we are lost for words. Rest peacefully beloved queen. June & Graham Reader
Rest in Peace, Your Majesty. You served us well.
RIP: Queen Elizabeth 11. Such a humble and selfless monarch. Clearly, did what she announced in her speech in 1953.
Truly sad, and extremely hard person to replicate.
Bless her and god speed. She can now sleep along her beloved Phillip.
As a child she was part of the new world I came into having then been Queen for 3 years. Through school she watched my growing from the side lines, then through my time in the Marines she looked down from walls with Philip, still keeping an eye on me and reminding me of my responsibilities. Not in a sternway but with a nod and a wink from the front of a stamp or from the coins in my pocket.
Now after a further 24 years of my public service as I retire she too has chosen leave after her job is finished.
Thank you Mam it was my good fortune to have you as my Boss. You were a steady hand on the tiller during many storms we sailed through and a wonderful comrade in my service and my life. God Bless
July 22nd 1963 The Queen opened The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Welwyn Garden City Herts. I was there in the crowds with my family. 🥰This is the very first time I saw the our Queen live. It was a wonderful day.
Shocked by Queen Elizabeth II’s death; she has always been there and now she’s not. Always dressed so brightly, her smile made you smile, along with the twinkle in her eye. Rest in peace, Elizabeth the Great, you served us so well.
As a 71 year old mother and grandmother I totally empathise with the Royal Family’s grief. I’m very impressed with their dignity and composure while in vigil for their late mother and travelling to locations of lying-in-state. To carry out their duties in full view of the public is astonishing at such a difficult time. Reading again their mother’s Christmas 1981 Broadcast, Queen Elizabeth II was, indeed, a remarkable woman. May her courage and fortitude live on in her family.
Rest in peace your Majesty. You were an inspiration to us all. We are blessed now with your son King Charles III, he has your wisdom, empathy and you have trained him well. We are in safe hands when everything all around us in broken. You would off been very proud of your family, the princess royal, both your sons, Andrew and Edward and your grandchildren.
You will be always remembered as most loved person this world will see in a long time.
Thank you.