Manchester Central Library has reopened a tribute to the Queen in its Archives following her death last week.
The exhibition is a celebration of the Queen’s life and reign – including details of her time in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service in during World War II and the tumultuous events of 1992, which she referred to as her annus horribilis in 1992.
This comes after her death at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, aged 96, on Thursday 8 September, making her the longest-reigning British monarch.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to learn about Her Majesty’s relationship with the city through a local appreciation entitled ‘Our Queen of Manchester’.
This displays the many visits that the Queen made to Manchester during her reign, including her visit in 1982 to the famous cobbled streets of Coronation Street and her most recent visit in 2017, when she consoled the survivors of the devastating Manchester Arena bombing.
During her 2017 visit, the Queen praised the survivors for their courage in the face of such tragedy. She described them as “an example to us all, showing extraordinary bravery and resilience”. Her words of support were deeply appreciated by those affected by the bombing and became a source of comfort for those in the wider city.
Library-goers are also invited to sign the Book of Condolence in the Reading Room in the reading room until Tuesday 20 September. This will then be kept in the Manchester Archive.
The Queen’s funeral will be broadcast live in Exchange Square next Monday 19 September. Large screens will be set up for the public to gather and watch together.
Other venues will also be showing the funeral, including the Vue Cinema and Manchester Bierkeller in the Printworks.
