Released: 8 September 2022
West Sussex County Council joins the nation in mourning the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Chairman of West Sussex County Council, Cllr Pete Bradbury, made this statement:
“This is a terribly sad day for the nation and the people of West Sussex. Her Majesty has a long association with our county. She was dignified and gracious and held in great affection by the public - this was clear to all when the country joined in celebrating her reign through the multitude of Platinum Jubilee events.
“Her Majesty’s passing represents the end of an era for our nation and I know many people will want to pay their respects in the coming days.”
Lady Emma Barnard, HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, said: "This solemn day is one of profound sadness, as news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II goes out across the world. It is a milestone in our history, and it marks the gentle and dignified close of the longest reign of any monarch this country has ever known.
"She was part of us all, held fast in the hearts of millions of people with the deepest respect, admiration and, above all, love. I know that I speak for so many when I express my heartfelt gratitude for her, for her selfless and steadfast service to her people, for all she did for us and for the world, and for the extraordinary example she set. Her memory will endure. May she rest in peace.
"My thoughts and my prayers are with all the members of the Royal Family, as well as with Her late Majesty's staff and household. I have sent a private message of condolence to the Royal Family on behalf of the people of West Sussex.
"In particular, my thoughts and prayers are with The King, as he prepares for his Coronation and for the days to come. I hope and believe that he and his family will be sustained in their grief by the deep affection that will be shown for his mother as she is laid to rest, and that he will be strengthened by this as he takes his place as our Monarch and a new chapter of our history is born.
"God save the King."
Her Majesty The Queen visited West Sussex on many occasions. Pictures from some of these visits can be seen online.
The first was when she was almost three, staying with her grandfather King George V, who was convalescing in Bognor. The young Princess delighted in making sand pies with her grandmother, Queen Mary, and watching her have fun on the beach provided a tonic for her grandfather who later bestowed a royal suffix to the town, making it Bognor Regis.
The most recent visit by Her Majesty was in November 2017, when she visited the Canine Partners charity in Midhurst. The charity trains dogs to assist people with physical disabilities. In the afternoon The Queen was at Chichester Festival Theatre where she watched a production by the Theatre’s Youth Theatre.
Other places she has visited included Crawley, Goodwood, Felpham, Gatwick, Durrington, Burgess Hill and Christ’s Hospital.
The flags on public buildings around the county will be lowered to half-mast.
An online book of condolence will be opened on Buckingham Palace’s website: www.royal.uk
Residents who do not have online access can send a message of condolence to the Chairman’s Office, Room 102, West Sussex County Council, County Hall, Chichester PO19 1RQ.
If you would like to view other historic photos of the late Queen then visit West Sussex Pictures and search ‘Queen Elizabeth II’.
