Newcastle Cathedral's bells rang out for an hour on Friday to mark the Queen's death, and now it is set to hold a memorial service on the eve of the late Monarch's funeral.
A Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will take place at 4pm on Sunday September 18, ahead of the Queen's Funeral at Westminster Abbey the following morning. The full Cathedral Choir will be in attendance, as will the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, the High Sherriff of Tyne and Wear, the Acting Bishop of Newcastle and civic dignitaries.
The service is open to members of the public, though capacity is limited and access will be granted on a first-come basis, with people advised to arrive at least half an hour before the service starts. The service will also be live-streamed on the Cathedral's YouTube channel.
Read more: The Queen's Funeral: When is it, what will happen and will it be shown on TV?
Since the announcement of the Queen's death on Thursday September 8, the Cathedral has invited visitors to light a candle or sign one of its books of condolence which will be available until Monday. On the day of the funeral itself, two minutes of silence will be observed in St Nicholas Square to coincide with the very start of the service in London. though the service will not be screened at the cathedral.
The Dean of Newcastle, the Very Revd Geoff Miller, has issued a statement on behalf of the Cathedral about the death of Her Majesty the Queen. He said: “It is with great sadness that, alongside people across our nation and the Commonwealth, we heard the news of the death of Elizabeth, our Queen and Governor.
"We at the Cathedral in Newcastle will approach this period of national mourning not only in grief but in deep gratitude to her for a long and dignified reign, in which her wisdom and graciousness have enabled stability, progress and a growing desire for goodwill among all people.She has been our Queen through many challenging times and has unfalteringly sought the good for our nation and its citizens. For this, we give thanks, and now we pray that she may rest in peace.
"Together, inspired by her spirit of commitment and graciousness, we shall look forward to the future and give loyal support to her successor, the King, in the sure knowledge that her example will inspire him and us. God Save the King."
The Queen visited St Nicholas's Cathedral in April 1990 to distribute the Maundy Money, accompanied by her late husband Prince Philip. A commemorative stone tablet lies in the Cathedral's north entrance to mark the historic visit.
For more information about the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving on Sunday September 18, visit the Newcastle Cathedral website.
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