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Surrounded by her family, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died at age 96 at the Royal Family’s Scottish estate in Balmoral. The passing of the world’s oldest monarch and longest-reigning sovereign will be commemorated by the City of Kingston beginning on the day of her passing.
Canadian flags displayed at City-owned facilities and properties shall be lowered to the half-mast position as a sign of mourning and respect. Flags will remain at half-mast position until after the funeral.
"On behalf of the Kingston community, we extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time," says Mayor Bryan Paterson. "Her Majesty's historic reign will be remembered as a legacy of duty, service and compassion. She will be greatly missed by many here in Kingston and countless others around the world.”
The City of Kingston has a long history of welcoming members of the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, first visited Kingston in 1951 to review the parade of cadets at the Royal Military College. Her first visit as Queen was in 1959 when she and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, presided over the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. They returned several times in the intervening years, with visits in 1967, 1973, 1976, and 1984.
It is anticipated that Canada will enter an official mourning period and Kingston awaits any corresponding direction on protocol from the federal government.
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