Local leaders and government workers, on Tuesday, placed floral tributes on the steps of the Government Administration Building, while, in the UK, the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth II arrived at Buckingham Palace.
The wreath and floral tribute laying ceremony is part of several public events here in the Cayman Islands to mark the passing of the late Queen, 96, last Thursday.
Governor Martyn Roper, in a post on his official Facebook page Tuesday afternoon, said, he placed flowers “as a mark of respect for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.
“In the UK and around the world people are doing the same – with huge floral displays at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Members of our community are invited to lay flowers at the Government Administration Building or outside Government House” he added.
Premier Wayne Panton, together with Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, also laid floral tributes in the late Queen’s honour.
They were joined by hundreds of civil servants on the steps of the building on Elgin Avenue.
On Thursday, students from public and private schools will be giving their own floral tributes. Each school will be represented by nine students – one child for each decade of the Queen’s life.
That ceremony starts at 9:30am.
Similar tributes are planned for Cayman Brac schools at the District Administration Building.
‘Honour and privilege’
Media coverage from the UK on Tuesday showed aerial images of crowds gathered on London’s streets as the motorcade containing the Queen’s coffin travelled to Buckingham Palace.
Earlier in the day, her only daughter, Princess Anne, issued a statement in which she said the “love and respect” shown towards her mother had been “both humbling and uplifting”:
“I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life. It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys.
“Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.”
– The Princess Royal
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 13, 2022
The statement added, “We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss.”
Following the Queen’s death, King Charles III was proclaimed as the new British monarch.
“We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted. I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch,” her statement said.
The Princess Royal ended her note with a simple message, “To my mother, The Queen, thank you.”
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