City Council also announced official Loyal Address to the new Monarch following death of Queen Elizabeth II
City councillors in Hull have formally expressed their condolence on behalf of the people of Hull to the Royal family over the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
At an historic full meeting of the council in the Guildhall, they unanimously supported a motion of condolence moved by the Lord Mayor Councillor Christine Randall and seconded by council leader Councillor Mike Ross, before making several personal tributes. The motion mirrored a similar one agreed by the authority in 1952 following the death of King George VI.
Today's motion read: "The Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber, City Council and Citizens of Kingston upon Hull, desire to express to his His Majesty King Charles the Third their deep sense of the loss which His Majesty and the Members of the Royal Family have sustained in common with the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, whose constant devotion to duty secured for her the regard and affection of all citizens of the United Kingdom, and people across the world, and whose name and memory will ever be cherished by them."
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Councillors and officials observed a two-minute silence before starting proceedings. Chairing the meeting, Cllr Randall said: "For many of us she was the only monarch we have ever known. Now the future seems a little uncertain.”
Cllr Ross said: “Her visits to Hull brought a sense of excitement to the city when people knew they were going to get a glimpse of the Queen. Our condolences go to King Charles and the Royal family.”
He also thanked all those involved in local recent events commemorating her passing, including Sunday’s Proclamation ceremony held on the City Hall balcony. He encouraged people to gather again in Queen Victoria Square next Monday to watch the Queen’s funeral which is being screened live on a big screen on the same balcony.
Cllr Ross said the council was also planning to invite people to submit ideas on a future permanent commemoration to the Queen in the city. More details on this are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.
Deputy council leader Councillor Jackie Dadd was in tears as she delivered her tribute. Councillor Kalvin Neal, who served with the Army in Iraq, said: "When I fought on the frontline conflict zone I can quite honestly, hand on heart, say I did fight for Queen and country.
"Yes, the people next to me were important and I was making sure they were OK as well, but I did fight for Queen and country and to understand what that means to me is still quite difficult."
Opposition Labour group leader Councillor Daren Hale said: "It is important to remember there is a family who have lost a loved one. Just because the Queen is a public figure, we must not forget that."
Following the tributes, the Lord Mayor announced the official Loyal Address to the new King on behalf of the council and the people of Hull.
It reads: "We, the Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber, City Council and Citizens of KIngston upon Hull are desirous of tendering our heart and sincere congratulations on Your Majesty's accession to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
"We desire to offer Your Majesty the assurance of our loyal attachment and allegiance to Your Majesty's person and throne to express the wish that the reign of Your Majesty will be marked by the furtherance of measures for promoting the welfare, happiness and prosperity of all citizens of this United Kingdom. We wish that Your Majesty may long reign in peace and happiness to the benefit of a loyal and contented people."
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