Queen Elizabeth II has died, aged 96. Born on 21 April 1926, Queen Elizabeth II's reign was the longest of any British Monarch, lasting 70 years and 214 days.
Her accession to the throne took place on 6 February 1952 upon the death of her father King George VI who became heir to the throne following the abdication of his older brother, Edward. Her coronation took place the following year on 2 June 1953.
Upon her death on 8 September 2022, her eldest son, Charles, became King Charles III and his wife, Camilla, became Queen Consort. The King is New Zealand's Head of State with the Governor-General as his representative.
All libraries will be closed Monday 26 September for Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day
All our libraries will be closed Monday 26 September for a one-off national public holiday Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day.
Memorial Service
Christchurch will hold a memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday 25 September. The Civic Service of Thanksgiving will take place in the ChristChurch Transitional Cathedral at 5pm and will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person. Find out more.
Condolence books
Condolence books are being made available at Civic Office, Christchurch Art Gallery, Tūranga, Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre, Fendalton Library, Upper Riccarton Library, New Brighton Library, South Library, Mātuku Takotako: Sumner Centre and the Transitional Cathedral for those who wish to express their sympathy to the King and the Royal Family.
Condolence books will be displayed until the official funeral. The books will then be collected and bound and Government House will take possession.
Other ways to send condolences:
- People wishing to send a message of condolence to the new King can write to: His Majesty The King, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom.
- New Zealanders wishing to pay their respects online can send a condolence message by email to condolences@dia.govt.nz.
- An online Book of Condolence is also available at the Royal Family's website.
Royal visits to Christchurch
Elizabeth II visited Christchurch numerous times during her reign including visits in 1954, 1963, and for the 1974 Commonwealth Games held at her namesake sporting venue, Queen Elizabeth II Park, often referred to as QEII.
More recently King Charles III and Queen Camilla (then the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall) visited Christchurch in November 2012 and again in 2019.
Queen Elizabeth II's life and reign
![Catalogue record for Elizabeth a Portrait in Parts [DVD]](https://covers.christchurchcitylibraries.com/Covers/9322225245433.jpg)
King Charles III
Find more titles on King Charles III
Further information
- Official mourning guidance The Office of the Governor-General
- King Charles pays tribute to his 'beloved mother' The Guardian, 8 September 2022
- Flags at half-mast as Christchurch mourns the Queen Newsline, 9 September 2022
- Your Royal Majesty - Album of Royal visits to Christchurch, Discovery Wall website
- Official website of the British royal family
- Queen's Birthday holiday - celebrated each year on the first Monday in June
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