Archive: September 2022. This report has been updated to distinguish the arrangements announced at the time from the events that followed.

All of us at Explore Buxton were deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, aged 96. Her 70-year reign made her the longest-reigning British monarch; her Platinum Jubilee had been celebrated that June.

On her 21st birthday in 1947, she pledged her life to service. She became Queen at the age of 25 on 6 February 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.

Tributes in the High Peak

Following the announcement of her death, the then Mayor of High Peak, Councillor Ollie Cross, council leader Councillor Anthony Mckeown, group leaders Councillors Tony Ashton, David Lomax and Joanna Collins, and chief executive Andrew Stokes issued a joint tribute:

“It is with immense sadness that we learned of the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today. Throughout her unprecedented 70-year reign she has set the standard of dignified, unwavering public service and commitment to fulfilling her role with the good grace and good humour that stand as an enduring example to us all.

“For so many of us Queen Elizabeth has been the only monarch we have known and, on so many occasions, a comforting presence in our lives. Her loss will be mourned not just here in the UK but across the Commonwealth and the wider world community.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the Royal Family at this time as communities across the High Peak join those around the world in remembering this remarkable monarch and the service she has given us.”

The council said flags had been lowered to half-mast at Buxton Town Hall, Hadfield Hall, Norfolk Square in Glossop, Manor Park and Pavilion Gardens. It also identified places for floral tributes, including the Slopes in Buxton and Norfolk Square in Glossop. The original Explore Buxton report listed books of condolence at Buxton Town Hall and the Municipal Buildings in Glossop.

The funeral and mourning

The Queen lay in state at Westminster Hall from 14 September until the morning of 19 September. Her state funeral took place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September, which was a UK bank holiday. A two-minute silence was observed at the end of the service.

After a procession in London, the coffin was taken to Windsor for a committal service at St George’s Chapel. The Queen was buried with Prince Philip in the King George VI Memorial Chapel later that evening.

The original report said Buxton Opera House planned to close on the funeral day, Pavilion Gardens’ Artist & Designer Fair was scheduled for 17–18 September, and some Heritage Open Days events had been cancelled. It also recorded planned shop closures. These were announcements at the time, not current opening information.

The RMT suspended planned rail strikes on 15 and 17 September following the Queen’s death; ASLEF also suspended planned action.

The new reign

Charles became King on the Queen’s death and was formally proclaimed at the Accession Council on 10 September 2022. Camilla was initially known as Queen Consort; William and Catherine became Prince and Princess of Wales. In March 2023, the King conferred the Dukedom of Edinburgh on Prince Edward.

Photo: The Royal Family.