A special Service of Remembrance for the Queen will be held at Durham Cathedral this weekend as the city landmark invites visitors to pay their respects to the late monarch.
The special service - which is free to attend but needs to be booked - will reflect upon the life and work of the Queen and will include prayers both for her and the Royal Family. The remembrance service is to take place at 3pm on Saturday, with everybody attending set to be seated by 2.40pm, and it also will be live-streamed.
Following the death of the Queen on Thursday, Durham Cathedral opened a book of condolence for visitors to sign. It said: "It is with great sorrow that we learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
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"All are welcome to visit the cathedral during this period of national mourning, to pay their respects, leave a comment in the book of condolence, light a candle, and say a prayer." It says that while all are welcome to attend September 17's service - which is two days before the late Queen's funeral - it expects it to be well attended "so it will not be possible to enter the cathedral without a ticket".
In a personal message, Vice-Dean Michael Hampel said the cathedral is in mourning with the rest of the UK at a moment "of profound grief". During his message, he added: " Grief is the price we pay for love and the love we have borne for decades for this remarkable woman deepens our grief – a grief we share with the whole world.
"The Queen has been a focus for unity for people of all sorts and conditions – not least through a selfless sense of duty which sprang directly from her Christian faith." When the cathedral reopened its Durham Cathedral Exhibition earlier this year, a temporary new display called Crown and Cathedral: Durham’s Royal Stories revealed the late Queen's connections with the building, including photographs of Her Majesty's visits there over the years and hand-written letter. It also included the elaborate gold royal cope, like a cape, worn by the Bishop of Durham to the Queen's - and previous - coronations.
Those unable to secure a ticket for Saturday will be able to follow the live-streaming of the service on Durham Cathedral's Facebook page. Its book of condolence is available to sign in the North Transept area of the building and it says: "All are welcome to visit and leave a message of respect, hope, and gratitude in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."
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