In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look at the way our communities market the death of the Queen and the ascension of King Charles III.

The announcement of the death of Her Majesty the Queen on Thursday, September 8 led to a series of historic events across the Harrogate district. 

Among the first was a two-minute silence held by the Ripon hornblower following the setting of the watch at 9pm, less than three hours after the official announcement. 

Tributes quickly came in from dignitaries around North Yorkshire, including the Lord Lieutenant, Jo Ropner, who said: 

“I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace when I was appointed as Lord Lieutenant in 2018, and I know from personal experience that every engagement was conducted with grace and genuine interest, that every person felt the spark from meeting not only their monarch, but a truly remarkable woman whose commitment to her role will be remembered for generations to come.” 

The following morning, official arrangements began to be put in place to mark the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch. 

Church bells tolled for an hour at noon, while flags at public venues, including Ripon Town Hall, Knaresborough House and the Royal Hall in Harrogate, were flown at half mast. 

Many churches opened books of condolence for people to sign, and invited people to visit and pray. Flowers were laid on the grass by the war memorial in Harrogate. 

A number of events were cancelled over the following days as a mark of respect. Sporting fixtures around the country were called off, including Harrogate Town’s match against Carlisle. 

Both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council cancelled all meetings for the week following the Queen’s death. 

Read more:

• Queen’s coffin drape supplied by royal flag makers in Knaresborough
• Harrogate district pays final respects to the Queen

On Sunday, September 11, a ceremony was held by the war memorial in Harrogate. It saw the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate read the proclamation of the new King. 

A similar ceremony was held in Ripon, where Deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Compton was on duty to read the proclamation. 

Over the following days, in unprecedented circumstances, some businesses altered their opening hours and some major events had to be changed too. 

Nidderdale Show was forced to move from its traditional Monday slot when the Queen’s funeral was announced for the same date. However, it later said the weekend show had proved a success and future events would be held on a Sunday. 

The funeral on Monday, September 19 saw several businesses close for the day, including Bettys tea rooms, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, and RHS Garden Harlow Carr. 

Many supermarkets closed all day, or opened from 5pm onwards. Bin collections were suspended for the bank holiday and council-run leisure centres were closed. 

The funeral was shown on big screens at Ripon Cathedral and the Royal Hall in Harrogate, as well as some pubs.

Many organisations across the Harrogate district closed today as people paid their final respects to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Streets were quiet and there was a sombre mood as the nation watched the state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London.

Ripon Cathedral and Harrogate’s Royal Hall broadcast the event live on big screens, as did numerous pubs and churches.

Many other people watched the day’s events unfold live on BBC One.

Here are some photos taken during today’s funeral capturing local tributes and the unusually quiet state of the district.

Cambridge Street deserted during the funeral.

Ripon Cathedral today

Flowers to the Queen at Harrogate’s war memorial.

Floral tributes in Knaresborough Market Place.

St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck broadcast the funeral live.

Starbeck High Street devoid of traffic.

A shop front tribute in Harrogate town centre.

A Harrogate solicitor has said there is “no legal requirement” for employees to be given a day off for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

The government has announced that Monday’s state funeral will be a national bank holiday.

Consequently, many businesses plan to close and give staff the day off. But there is confusion over whether they are legally obliged to do so.

James Austin, from Harrogate-based LCF Law, today clarified the situation.

Mr Austin, who specialises in employment law, said although it was likely many employees would be given time off, it was not a legal requirement for all employers.

He said:

“For example, employees may be eligible if their contract of employment states that they are entitled to say ‘20 days holiday plus bank holidays’. However, if the contract refers to the employee only being entitled to ‘the usual bank holidays,’ this wouldn’t apply.

“In addition, they might not get the day off if, for example, the contract refers to 28 days’ holiday including ‘bank holidays,’ which could mean an employer simply deducts a day’s holiday from the non-bank holiday entitlement.”

Mr Austin added:

“However, this is a unique national moment so we suspect the majority of employers will give staff the time off, which is what we saw with the Jubilee.

“Where employees are entitled to the day off, but the employer wants them to work, the contract will usually state whether the employer can require this and, if so, whether the employee is entitled to extra pay or time off in lieu.”

LCF Law employs more than 125 people at offices in Harrogate, Leeds, Bradford and Ilkley.

Read more:

• The Queen’s funeral to be televised at Ripon Cathedral
• Charles proclaimed king in Ripon and Harrogate

The “coffin drape” that covers the Queen’s coffin as it journeys through Scotland to Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral this afternoon has been made by a small team of specialist flag makers in Knaresborough.

Flying Colours in Knaresborough has a royal warrant and has been supplying flags to the royal household for more than 15 years.

It’s managing director Andy Ormrod, told the Stray Ferret that because the Queen had died in Scotland a specific drape was used:

“The drape is the Royal Standard for use in Scotland and it is not a flag.  Its has been made with hemmed borders with no clips or ropes so it can’t  be raised on a flag pole.

“The drapes were completed last year — the Royal Family is very organised and work well in advance. “

The drape is 12 ft by 6 ft in dimension and made of heavy ceremonial flag fabric — a mix of polyester and polyester cotton.

Each drape takes up to 50 hours of work and is made by one person in the 18-strong team so there is a consistency of stitch work.

Mr Ormrod said his team was immensely proud of its work but there is a muted atmosphere in the workshop

“It’s incredibly strange. We’ve had Brexit, then covid, then we lost Boris and Liz Truss was with the Queen one day and then this. It’s gut wrenching and we are bitterly sad.

“But then everyone around the world is looking at the wonderful work she’s done.

“We have the best royal family and it’s amazing watching all the protocol. We’re very proud to be involved.”

Tomorrow the coffin will leave Scotland for England and the drape will be changed to the Royal Standard of HM The Queen.

The Scottish standard that sits on the top left and bottom right of the Royal Standard is for use in Scotland.

The Royal Standard for HM The Queen has the three lions on the top left and bottom right.

Read More: 

• Floral tributes to Queen increase at Harrogate war memorial
• Proclamations of King Charles III made in Harrogate and Ripon
• Column: The Herculean responsibility of inheriting a role at a young age