Police searching for missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday have found a body near the railway at North Rigton.

Although formal identification has not yet taken place, the 73-year-old’s family have been informed and are being supported.

Due to the location of the body, British Transport Police is leading the investigation and will establish circumstances surrounding the death.

Rail and road closures have been in place following the report, which was made just after 12.20pm today.

Police say one lane of the A658 at North Rigton has now reopened, however officers remain at the scene.

Ms Holliday left her care home on Harcourt Road in Harrogate at 10.32am two weeks ago today on Saturday, August 27. She was then captured on CCTV at Harrogate bus station and later in Library Gardens at 10.43am.

Read more:

• ‘Help us get Judith home’; plea from family of missing Harrogate woman
• Police use drone in search for missing Harrogate woman Judith

It is believed she then caught a bus out of Harrogate and then flagged down a member of the public and asked for a lift to North Rigton, where the last confirmed sighting took place.

Police used a drone to search for Ms Holliday in large open areas around North Rigton and Lindley Wood Reservoir.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret last week, her niece Lucinda Edwards appealed for her safe return and praised the response of the community.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We thank everyone who has supported the missing person inquiry.

“Our thoughts are with Judith’s family.”

The district’s churches have been open with books of condolence for people to sign. Tomorrow prayers for Her Majesty The Queen, the new King and the Royal Family will be held across the district. Some parishes have changed their normal orders of service.

Sunday 11th September 

Ripon Cathedral

The cathedral will be open throughout the day for people to sign the book of condolences and pray.

8am – Holy Communion

9.30am – Morning Prayer

10.30am – Eucharist with the Bishop of Ripon. The service will include prayers for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III

3.30pm – Choral Evensong to mark the death of the sovereign Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Cathedral open until 7pm

A book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate

Harrogate

St Peter’s Church  

A book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Street in the town centre.

8.30am Holy Communion

9.30am Family Communion

11.00am Choral Matins

4.15pm Stepping Stones Service

6.30pm Choral Evensong

St John’s Church on Bilton Lane is open between 9am and 5pm today for “people to be quiet, reflect and pray as they remember and give thanks for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

Knaresborough 

Read more

• LIVE: Bells to toll at midday across the district to mark the Queen’s death

Pateley Bridge

A book of condolences has been open at St Cuthbert’s Church in Pateley Bridge.

Vicar Darryl Hall invited people to “feel free to light a candle and say a prayer.”

Prayer stations in Holy Trinity Dacre Banks, St Jude’s Hartwith, Christ Church Darley and St Saviour’s Thornthwaite have been set up where people can light a candle reflect, remember and pray.

Sunday Services:

9:30am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks

11am Holy Communion at St Saviour’s, Thornthwaite

6:30pm Holy Communion at Christ Church, Darley

Boroughbridge

St Andrew’s

A parish-wide service of commemoration and thanksgiving for the Queen will be held at St Andrew’s on Sunday, September 18 at 10am.

Roecliffe Church and St James’s 

Both churches, as well as St Mary’s in Dunsforth and St Andrew’s in Aldborough, will remain open as much as possible during the week for people to visit and to sign books of condolence.

Masham

Healey, Masham North Stainley, Well with Snape and West Tanfield 

There are changes to the services for 11 September to enable communities to pray and reflect on her life, reign and contribution to our nation and to pray for the new monarch, King Charles III and all the family.

8.00am         Masham                        BCP Holy Communion
9.30am         West Tanfield               Simple service of Prayer and Reflection remembering her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
10.45am       Masham                         Baptism
11.30am       Masham                        Simple service of Prayer and Reflection remembering her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
10.45pm       Snape                             Holy Communion
4.00pm                                                 Telephone Service
6.30pm        Healey                           Evensong

Rail and road travel has been disrupted this afternoon between Leeds and Harrogate.

Police say one lane of the A658 at North Rigton has now reopened, however officers remain at the scene.

Traffic was diverted through North Rigton when the incident happened earlier today.

Police at the scene.

Officers advised motorists to use the A659/A61 or the B6161 as an alternative while emergency services attended.

Meanwhile, Northern Rail tweeted at 1pm that all train services between Harrogate and Leeds have been cancelled or delayed.

A statement on their website said:

“Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident between Harrogate and Leeds all lines are blocked.

“Trains running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until 7.30pm.”

Flags across the Harrogate district have been raised back up to full mast, on the occasion of the proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III.

They will return to half mast tomorrow in observance of the period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Residents are continuing to pay tribute to the Queen following her death on Thursday afternoon.

Flowers have been have been laid by mourners by the War Memorial in Harrogate, with some featuring heartfelt messages.

One family wrote:

“Flowers for HRH Queen Elizabeth in thanks for the love, protection and stability you gave our nation. Rest in peace.”

Churches remain open today for tributes, reflection and mourning.

Read more:

• LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death
• Ripon Cathedral to play a central role in mourning The Queen

Special services in commemoration of the Queen are also taking place across the district, including at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate town centre and Ripon Cathedral.

The Rev Judith Clark, assistant curate on placement at St Peter’s, said:

“The church will remain open between 9.30am and 6.30pm during the official mourning period. People can come and write in the condolence book and light a candle and have a period of quiet prayer if they wish.”

Yesterday around 100 people signed the book of condolence at the church, which will hold a special prayer service today at 12pm.

Ripon Cathedral will hold a special Choral Evensong at 5.30pm with prayers.

Later today church bells will ring out once more to formally proclaim Charles as the new sovereign. This time it will be a celebratory peal and the bells will be unmuffled.

Staff and residents at care and assistance service Harrogate Neighbours have paid tribute to the Queen.

The CEO, Sue Cawthray, said she wanted to express her “deepfelt sorrow.” She added:

“We will all have our own personal memories of a remarkable woman and I am sure over the coming days and weeks we will gain strength as we come together to mourn as a nation.”

Residents have also recalled their past experiences and meetings with the Queen.

Kate Smith, 89, said:

“I remember sleeping on The Mall at the age of 19 years old to watch The Queen’s Coronation it was a wonderful experience and something that has stayed with me all my life. She was a remarkable woman.”

Read more

• LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death

This sentiment was shared by Chris Taylor, who looks after maintenance and the grounds at the company’s The Cuttings retirement complex. He said:

“I served in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards from 1976 to 1991.  HM The Queen was my Colonel in Chief. On two occasions I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty.

“I was one of her escorts for a regimental tercentenary celebrations and in later years I was part of an armoured escort from Edinburgh Castle to St Giles Cathedrals.  She made all of us feel at ease during her visits.”

Harrogate Neighbours have said that they ‘would like to thank Her Majesty The Queen for serving the people for over 70 years with commitment, dedication and unwavering and selfless loyalty to our country and the commonwealth.’

Ms Cawthray added that the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which the team received in 2020 would be treasured.

She confirmed that the flag on the company’s site would be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.

In special Evensong and Vigil services last night led by the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, the congregation joined in one voice to remember the late monarch and offer sympathy and support for the new king – a Freeeman of the City for 20 years.

From the opening of the doors at Ripon Cathedral to the setting of the watch on Market Square events in the city underlined its deep royal roots.

It began with private prayers at the cathedral from 8am until 9pm and throughout the day people wrote  messages in the books of condolence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Books of condolence were signed throughout the day and will remain in place in the north transept of the cathedral for people to leave their messages.

The Bishop of Ripon the Rt Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley gave blessings at the end of the Vigil Service in the cathedral and the setting of the watch ceremony

After the service the senior clergy and mayor of Ripon walked to the market square for the setting of the watch.

A plaque by the front door of the town hall, says that the honour bestowed on King Charles III in October 2002, when he was the Prince of Wales, was ‘In deep appreciation of his unique contribution to the regeneration of Ripon.’

Standing on the same steps that The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh stood on in May 2004, when Ripon celebrated the 400th anniversary of its Royal Charter, Mayor Councillor Sid Hawke was joined by the bishop and dean, canons Ailsa Newby, Michael Gisbourne and Richard Cooper and head verger Charlie Brown, as hornblower Allison Clark, announced that the watch had been set. (see main image)

Today there will be hourly prayers at the cathedral from 8am and a special choral Evensong at 5.30pm, to mark the proclamation of the King.

Tomorrow at 10.30am there will be a sung Eucharist service led by the Bishop of Ripon, followed by a choral Evensong at 3.30pm.

Read More:

• Watch: Bells toll across district to mark the Queen’s death
• Ripon Cathedral to play a central role in mourning The Queen

The links between the Queen and the Harrogate district stretch back decades, including a visit in 1952 before her coronation.

They include appearances at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate to her trips to Ripon, including her 2004 visit for another important anniversary – 400 years since the granting of the city’s Royal Charter.

Reflecting on her visit on December 10, 1998, a spokesperson for Harrogate Theatre said:

“Harrogate Theatre fondly remembers her visit and the warmth she extended to our staff and members of the public. Our sincere condolences go out to the Royal Family.”

The Queen visits Harrogate Theatre in 1998. Photo: Harrogate Theatre.

The Queen touched the lives of all those who met her, including residents in the district. Many recalled those occasions just recently, when communities celebrated her platinum jubilee.

Janine Jennings, from Hampsthwaite, said:

“It was her Silver Jubilee 1977 and I was pulled out of the crowd to meet her and as I presented her the flowers, she asked if I had grown them myself. I said yes, but actually, my mum, Mrs Johnson and I borrowed them from the empty police house next to us. So I lied to the queen!

“This picture (below) appeared in the paper, my mum kept it framed in her bedroom. It was really very special to meet the Queen and I remember it clearly to this day and always will.”

Claire H Beresford-Robinson said:

“I was lucky to meet the Queen when she visited the Great Yorkshire Showground and our tent ‘Growing up in North Yorkshire’.

“I attended Woodlands School at the time. It was our moment to shine. The Queen looked at the work I was doing and said “splendid work”. I will never forget this moment.

“Our school was chosen to attend the same day the Queen was coming. I’ll never forget the fabulous feeling at age 11 to be told I was selected to meet the Queen.”

Claire H. Beresford-Robinson also sent the above photograph of the Queen looking at the work of Woodlands School pupils.

She said:

“This is me and my friends at Woodlands School with headteacher Mr Dunmore in the background.”

Read more:

• Mayor leads Harrogate tributes to Queen’s ‘constant source of courage’
• Lord Lieutenant pays tribute to the Queen from North Yorkshire

Karen Wenham said:

“I remember when I was in my last year at Starbeck CP School and the Queen came to visit in 1977. We all went up to the Great Yorkshire Showground and I took a posy of flowers for her. It always sticks in my mind.

“A couple of years ago I was invited to go to the palace, as I am an ambassador for a charity, and Sophie Wessex was lovely and we chatted.

“We were told the Queen was in residence that night and not to be surprised if she came down with her corgis, as she likes to surprise people.”

Rick Vai sent the photo below of the Queen visiting Knaresborough, which sparked memories from other residents.

Karen Allan said:

“They passed along King James Road, fronting King James School. We were all lined up for her.”

Sarah Brown added:

“I remember this. I was one of those school children lined up outside King James School in Knaresborough.”

Churches have opened their doors and put out books of condolence; flags across the Harrogate district were lowered to half mast and flowers laid as the district begins to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The 96-year-old Queen, who was the country’s longest-serving monarch, died yesterday at Balmoral.

This blog has followed the days events as they unfolded across the district:

4.00pm: Mourners lay flowers by Harrogate’s War Memorial

Around ten bouquets have been laid by mourners by the War Memorial in Harrogate.

3.15pm: Historic Harrogate hotel remembers Queen’s visit

DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa has posted a photo from the time Princess Elizabeth visited the hotel, four years before she became Queen.

Elizabeth and her husband Philip visited The Majestic for a banquet in 1949 on the same day they visited the Great Yorkshire Show.

They couple was greeted at the hotel by Mayor Mary Fisher. Following the event, the Princess and Duke made a balcony appearance, waving to the crowds on the Majestic grounds

Credit: DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa

2.30pm: Stonefall Cemetery tours cancelled

Commonwealth War Graves Commission has cancelled free Stonefall Cemetery tours that were set to take place tomorrow as well as on September 15, 17 and 18.

Around 200 people were booked on tours to learn about the men and women of the Commonwealth forces who are buried there.

However, as a mark of respect for Her Majesty, the events have been cancelled.

1.45pm: Businesses pay unique tributes to Queen

Harrogate district businesses are paying their unique tributes to Elizabeth II.

Everyman cinema on Station Parade has replaced its usual notices that tell cinemagoers what films it is showing with a single somber quote. It says:

“Every thank you will never be enough 1926 – 2022”

The Harrogate Tea Rooms in Westminster Arcade has baked some special cupcakes inspired by the former monarch.

💕
❤️🤍💙
Seemed fitting to make Queen Cupcakes today, flavoured with Rose ( one of her two favourites.. think Rose & Violet creams) and vanilla; topped with pastel flowers.

In Union Jack paper cases.

💕
❤️🤍💙 pic.twitter.com/0r3ojB4dQn

— The Harrogate Tea Rooms (@HarrogateTeaRms) September 9, 2022

1.00pm: Boroughbridge

St James church in Boroughbridge has joined other Anglican churches in the district in setting up a book of condolence for mourners to sign.

12.30pm: Church bells ring out for the Queen

The Stray Ferret had reporters at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate, St John’s Church in Knaresborough and Ripon Cathedral from 12pm.

Most of the country’s 16,000 churches haven’t rang bells muffled since the death of the Queen’s father in 1952.

Watch videos below of the bells ringing below:

Leather mufflers were attached to the bells at St John’s Church in Knaresborough so they can make the muffled sound

12.10pm: Earl of Harewood issues personal tribute

The Earl of Harewood David Lascelles has issued a personal statement that remembers his relative Elizabeth II.

His father, the late George Lascelles, was the Queen’s first cousin.

David Lascelles

The Earl’s tribute includes an anecdote of when the Queen visited Harewood in 2002 and watched Emmerdale being filmed.

The statement also highlight’s the Queen’s appreciation of Yorkshire’s different faiths and communities.

Mr Lascelles said:

“Queen Elizabeth was my first cousin once removed, Cousin Lilibet, the name she was called by all her family. Though we were related, I only really met her on formal occasions during my adult life, so have less personal memories of this remarkable woman. But I do remember the last time she was at Harewood, in July 2002 for her Golden Jubilee. 

“It was a gloriously sunny day and the first stop was at the long-running TV soap opera Emmerdale, the village set for which is on the southern edge of Harewood Estate, where my wife Diane and I greeted her. The Queen met and shook hands with the cast and crew and watched the Post Office being set on fire, a stunt staged in her honour and not part of their regular storyline.

“The main event of the day was in front of Harewood House, where, accompanied by my father and step-mother, an hour long pageant was staged for her and for Prince Philip and an enthusiastic crowd. This was Yorkshire at it most culturally diverse: on a smaller scale, but not unlike the parades along the Mall for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, still fresh in everyone’s memory. 

“There was music from many different traditions and performers representing all Yorkshire’s different communities. There were spectacular costumes from Leeds’ West Indian Carnival, brass bands from the mining villages of South Yorkshire, Indian dancers from Bradford, operatic arias from Lesley Garrett and guest appearances from Mel B, Brian Close and Terry Venables (who had just been appointed as Leeds United’s new manager) on the steps of Harewood House.

“The Queen’s enjoyment was clear for all to see. These were the rich, mixed, varied, sometimes contradictory cultures of 21st century Britain, a Britain very different from the country she knew when she came to the throne in 1953 but one with which she continued to identify and one which she continued to represent with grace and with great dignity.

“The length of her reign and the many changes she witnessed during those years are unprecedented in our history. Her death is truly the end of an era, the end of the Second Elizabethan Age.”

11.45am: Harrogate’s Muslim community pays its respects

Whilst the district’s Anglican churches have led the tributes to Elizabeth II, Harrogate’s Muslim community has also paid its own respects.

Harrogate Islamic Association said:

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (“To God we belong and to Him we return”)

We are united in sorrow for, by all measures, a remarkable woman https://t.co/rfL8HrYXIa

— Harrogate Islamic Association (@HarrogateIA) September 9, 2022

11.30am: Harrogate Town game called off

Harrogate Town’s game against Carlisle United tomorrow has been called off. It was due to kick off at 3pm at the EnviroVent Stadium but the English Football League has decided to postpone all fixtures as a mark of respect to Elizabeth II.

Leeds United’s game against Nottingham Forest on Monday night has also been postponed by the Premier League.

Saturday 10th September's fixture against Carlisle has been postponed as a mark of respect by the National Sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II https://t.co/KP3Cuyy5C8

— Harrogate Town AFC (@HarrogateTown) September 9, 2022

11.00am: Harry’s tours to focus on the Queen

Tour guide Harry Satloka will continue with his free Harrogate walking tours today with a special focus on Harrogate’s connection with Elizabeth II.

He said he will be wearing black as a mark of respect until after the funeral.

Harry Satloka this morning by the War Memorial

10.30am: St Peter’s Church plans special services

St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Road will be holding special services to remember the former Queen over the weekend.

The church’s bells will ring today from 12pm for one hour.

Vicar Alan Garrow said:

“The church will be open as a focal point for people to express their grief. For flowers we recommend people leave them at the garden of remembrance, which is on the Cambridge Street side of St Peter’s. 

“We have eight bell ringers and they are going to ring all of the bells for the full one hour from 12pm.”

Mourners signing the book of remembrance at St Peter’s

10.15am: Flags at half-mast in Knaresborough

Knaresborough House. Credit: Charlotte Gale

The Union Flag is flying at half-mast outside Knaresborough House.

The town has proud links to the Royal family dating back centuries.

Knaresborough Castle is still owned by the Duchy of Lancaster Estate (although currently leased to Harrogate Borough Council).

It’s a former Royal summer residence and was also the administrative centre for the  Forest of Knaresborough, an administrative area and royal hunting ground that covered 45 square miles.

The Mayor of Knaresborough Kathryn Davies said:

“For a lot of people in Knaresborough Queen Elizabeth II will be the only monarch they have known. The loss of her calm and constant presence in their lives will be felt keenly. They are not alone in their grief. As well as the rest of the United Kingdom, many across the world will also miss her greatly.

“When the news of her death was announced, I was with a party of Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians. Without exception they had been following her progress in the last few days and were immediate in their expressions of condolence and their own sense of loss.

“She was a great monarch who steered us through some exceptional times in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Good luck and best wishes to our new King Charles II. God save the King.”

10.00am: Betty’s closed until 11am

Betty’s Cafe Tea Rooms on Parliament Street is closed until 11am. A notice has been posted on the window that includes its own tribute to the former Queen.

9.30am: Yorkshire Agricultural Society pays tribute

Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the organisation that runs the Great Yorkshire Show, has issued its own tribute to Elizabeth II. She had long standing links to the show and visited four times as Queen (1949, 1957, 1977 and 2008).

The Queen at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957. Credit: YAS

The statement said:

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty The Queen and send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.

“The Royal Family and Her Majesty The Queen have been an integral part of the Society’s heritage since it first formed in 1837.

“The Queen was the first female Patron of the Society and remained so for 45 years from 1952 to 1997. TRH Prince of Wales has been the Society’s Patron since 1998.

“Her Majesty first visited the Great Yorkshire Show in 1949, before becoming Queen, and went on to visit a number of times over the years before a final visit in 2008 with The Duke of Edinburgh. During the visit, The Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the start of the construction of Fodder and the adjoining Yorkshire Agricultural Society offices.

“The Society is honoured to have had the privilege of The Queen supporting the work it does for agriculture as both our Patron and as our guest.”

9am: RHS Harlow Carr remaining open today

The Royal Horticultural Society will be opening RHS Harlow Carr today but it will close on the day of the funeral, which has not yet been announced, as a mark of respect.

The RHS said in a statement:

“Her Majesty became Patron of the Society on accession to the throne in 1952. From an early age, The Queen regularly accompanied her parents to RHS Chelsea Flower Show, visiting the show more than 50 times during her reign, and always took great pleasure in touring the gardens and plant displays and speaking with exhibitors.

“We were extremely grateful and proud to have Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as our Patron and we are immensely saddened by yesterday’s news.”

8.45am: Bilton church opens book of condolence

St John’s Church on Bilton Lane is open until 5pm for people to pray and give thanks for the life of the former Queen. There will be candles to light and a book of condolence to sign.

8.25am: Pateley Bridge

We’ve been in Pateley Bridge this morning to see how the town has responded to the death of the Queen. Below is a picture of St Cuthbert Church with the St George’s flag flying at half-mast.

The police station and council offices:

8.10am: Ripon pays its respects

Reporter Tim Flanagan is in Ripon this morning where the Union Flag is flying at half mast over Ripon Town Hall.

The building is still decked in the banners put in place to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the historic building in May 2004 when the city celebrated the 400th anniversary of the granting by James I of its Royal Charter.

Some 19 years earlier in April 1985, The Queen was at Ripon Cathedral for the Royal Maundy Service.

8am: Harrogate district MPs issue statements

Our three Conservative MPs, Andrew Jones, Julian Smith and Nigel Adams have all issued statements following the death of the Queen.

pic.twitter.com/fNmbbYhiuW

— Andrew Jones MP (@AJonesMP) September 8, 2022

pic.twitter.com/JjRwMrt3Tn

— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) September 8, 2022

Such heartbreaking news.

HM Queen Elizabeth II served our nation and the Commonwealth selflessly for 70 years.

May she rest in peace.

God Save The King. https://t.co/rGHlhY8DZw

— Nigel Adams (@nadams) September 8, 2022

Church Bells will toll

Church bells across the district will toll at noon today to mark the Queen’s death. The bells will be muffled and toll for one hour.

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe has issued a statement:

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been the figurehead of our nation for over 70 years, a loyal servant who has provided stability and support to so many for so long. It is impossible to imagine life without her, and I know many will find the fact we now have to face that reality very difficult.

“Our emergency services will play a key role in the coming days in supporting our communities, and their commemorations and celebrations of Her Majesty’s life.

“My thoughts today are particularly with the Royal Family who have not just lost a leader but a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. No matter who you are or when it happens, the death of a loved one is incredibly hard, and my respects and condolences go to them.”

The Royal Hall this morning with the flag lowered at half mast

Read More: 

• Lord Lieutenant pays tribute to the Queen from North Yorkshire
• Mayor leads Harrogate tributes to Queen’s ‘constant source of courage’

At midday today, bells at several of the Harrogate district’s churches rung out to mourn the Queen.

Churches including Ripon Cathedral, St Peter’s in Harrogate and St John’s in Knaresborough rung throughout the hour.

They joined with churches across the country such as Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral to pay their respects to the Monarch.

Janet Hurst was one of the bellringers in Hampsthwaite. She explained the process of ‘muffling’ the bells as part of the tribute.

“The bells are fully muffled, which only happens for the Monarch, normally it’s half-muffled… so that people can pause and pay their respects to Her Majesty.”

Read more:

• LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death
• Ripon Cathedral to play a central role in mourning The Queen

The mayor of Harrogate will read the proclamation of the new King at the town’s war memorial on Sunday.

At the moment Queen Elizabeth II died yesterday as the UK’s longest-serving monarch, the throne passed immediately and without ceremony to her son Charles, the former Prince of Wales.

But there are a number of traditional steps which he must go through to be crowned King Charles III.

It is expected that Charles will be officially proclaimed King on Saturday at St James’s Palace in London. After this, the historic occasion will be marked up and down the country at smaller ceremonies.

In Harrogate, councillor Victoria Oldham, mayor of the district, will read the proclamation at the War Memorial opposite Bettys from 4pm on Sunday (September 11).

Paying tribute to the Queen’s “constant source of courage and inspiration” yesterday, Cllr Oldham said:

“Throughout her 70-year reign, she has touched so many of our lives and led us through many dark but also many positive times.

“On behalf of everyone across the Harrogate district, I would like to offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Royal Family during this time.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”

Read more:

• LIVE: Harrogate district church bells ring out to mark the Queen’s death
• Ripon Cathedral to play a central role in mourning The Queen

A book of condolence is available in the reception of Harrogate’s civic centre for people to pay their respects to the Queen.

This will be available between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am and 4.30pm on Fridays.

An online book of condolence is also available on Buckingham Palace’s website.

Harrogate Borough Council has asked that any floral tributes for the Queen are left on the grassed area in front of the Cenotaph.

The authority – along with North Yorkshire County Council – has also cancelled all of next week’s public meetings as a mark of respect.