Flowers and messages have been left in St Ann’s Square following the announcement of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s death
Heartfelt and moving messages left on a sea of flowers in St Ann’s Square Manchester that have been growing daily since the announcement of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s death, are to be preserved for future generations as part of a special city archive that will also include the city’s Books of Condolence.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Bev Craig, said: “The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is something that has been felt by the whole nation, and not least here in Manchester where we recognise and thank her for her support to the city during times good and bad.
“For most of us she is the only national figurehead we have known. Her seven decades of service to all of us is unlikely to be matched by another monarch – certainly in our lifetimes and possibly ever.
“It’s clear from the messages left in remembrance of her both in our Books of Condolence and with the many floral tributes, that Her Majesty holds a special place in the hearts and minds of many Mancunians and that she will continue to do so.
“We plan to hold onto those thoughts and feelings on behalf of the city in a special archive so that generations from now our children, our grandchildren, and their children, will be able to look back and see for themselves exactly what our longest-serving monarch meant to Manchester, the country, and the world.”
Floral tributes may continue to be left in St Ann’s Square throughout the period of national mourning and until the day after Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral. At this point messages that have been left with the flowers will be carefully removed from the floral tributes by a team of volunteers to be preserved for the archive, before the flowers themselves are removed for eventual composting.
The Books of Condolence at Manchester Central Library will remain open for people to add their messages and offer their condolences to the Royal family until 8 pm on Tuesday 20 September.
