Monday 12th September 2022 D+3
Books of Condolence
Today, and on each day that Books of Condolence are open, check that the setting is neat and clean, that pens all work and that adequate pages are available.
Silence - Sunday 18 September at 8.00pm
The Permanent Secretary at The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has written to Chief Executives inviting Local Authorities and members of the public to mark a National Moment of Reflection to pay our respects to Her Late Majesty, The Queen. This will be a one-minute silence at 8.00pm on Sunday 18 September which will be observed across the UK.
The Permanent Secretary goes on to say that Councils may wish to consider if there are any places of local significance that could be used to gather members of the public to join together in a moment of silence. He asks that Councils may also wish to share communications with members of the public on how they can join the National Moment of Reflection in their local area.
Clearly it is a big ask following all that Civic Officers have done over the last weekend but may reflect concern at Government level at the number of people descending on London during this week. It is likely to have been added at this late stage in the hope that it might at least encourage some people to mark The Queen’s death locally. Please don’t state that in your planning. Whether or not you think it will have the desired effect, it is something which we are being asked to do in support of the national planning and I hope you will approach it in that spirit.
Silence on the day of the Funeral- Monday 19 September at 11.00am
It is most likely that this will be incorporated into the funeral service, with precise details published in the coming days. If that is indeed the case, there will not be a requirement for us to arrange a further event, as most people will want to be watching the service in their own homes or at already-organised public screenings.
The Guidance Notes have always stated that any attempts at organising a public gathering on the day of the funeral will not meet with success for that very reason.
Letters of Condolence
Just to confirm that letters of Condolence should be sent to:
Sir Clive Alderton, K.C.V.O., Private Secretary to H.M. The King
They can be sent either to Clarence House or Buckingham Palace.