It is with the deepest sadness that Dartford Borough Council has learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at her beloved Balmoral in this, her historic Platinum Jubilee year.
The Country will unite in mourning over the coming days, and plans are in place for Dartford residents to pay their respects.
Books of condolence will open at the Civic Centre and at Dartford Museum for local people to sign in the coming days. Anyone wishing to lay flowers in Her Majesty’s honour is invited to do so at The Bandstand in Central Park.
A proclamation will be read out on the steps of Dartford Library by The Worshipful the Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Paul Cutler, two days after the announcement of The Queen’s passing.
Leader of the Council Jeremy Kite said: “Like all of us, I am deeply saddened by The Queen’s passing.
“Her Majesty the Queen has been an inspiration and unifying figure, a witness to a world at times of great tragedy, conflict and upheaval and never once failed to provide stability and leadership. She led us into an age of hope and possibilities, her life encompassing so many technological and social changes which she embraced whenever it fuelled her lifelong duty to serve the country, commonwealth and people she loved. Our country was blessed to have been guided by her, to have celebrated her achievements and milestones and to know she always her celebrate ours.
“There will be a time to look back fondly and remember everything that The Queen gave this country during her reign. For now let us all pay our respects as we mourn her loss.”