Death of Queen Elizabeth II

It has been announced by Buckingham Palace that The Queen has died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

Convener of Orkney Islands Council, Councillor Graham Bevan expressed his deepest sympathies to His Majesty the King and The Royal Family.

He said: “The Council and the Orkney community join the nation in mourning for The Queen. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all members of The Royal Family and honour her long service and duty to her country as our Queen.”

As a mark of respect, flags have been lowered to half-mast at the Council Offices in Kirkwall, at Kirkwall Town Hall and Community Centre and at the Harbour Authority Building.

From tomorrow a book of condolence will be opened at St Magnus Cathedral with others to follow in locations across Orkney. These will remain open until 5pm on the day after the funeral. 

Flowers can be laid at the Kirk Green outside St Magnus Cathedral – other locations will be announced in due course.

An e-book of condolence is available on The Royal website

Arrangements are being made for the reading of the Proclamation – and further details will be released in due course.

Also as a mark of respect, and in line with national guidance, the Council will cancel or postpone all non-essential meetings of Council business until after the funeral.