Mourners gather at St. Philip’s Cathedral to express condolences for the Queen

Residents gathered across the city on Monday (12 September), following the tragic passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

The people of Birmingham have come together at St. Philip’s Cathedral on Colmore Row to pay tribute, expressing their condolences and memories of the iconic monarch.

Speaking to BirminghamWorld, Reverend Andy Delmege, Canon Missioner at St. Philip’s Cathedral, said: “We’ve been really humbled and proud by how many people have been coming to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II. We’ve had unprecedented numbers coming through the door. There are times like at the moment it’s busy but still feeling quite peaceful.

“There’s such a hole in our lives I think, you know, one of the great foundations and rocks of the nation having suddenly disappeared. She was Monarch for such a long time most of us don’t know another monarch until obviously until now with the accession of King Charles. So, that sense of loss, emotion, grief, people wanting to come and join in those beautiful common rituals. I think coming to light a candle, coming to write in the book of condolence, coming to be quiet. Coming to lay some flowers those are things which I think help us to cope with our grief.”

There is a sombre atmosphere in Birmingham, as people come to terms with the loss of someone who has been a part of their lives for so long. For many, the Queen was a symbol of stability and continuity, and her death marks the end of an era. People have gathered here at St. Philip’s Cathedral to share their grief and pay tribute to Her Late Majesty the Queen. Many have brought flowers to lay at the foot of statues and portraits of the monarch loved by so many, while others simply stand in silence, contemplating the loss. An abstract figure for almost all of us - so what did the Queen mean for the people of Birmingham, and what memories do they have of her reign?

Sue said: “Just a rock like everybody’s been saying really. It always felt good to watch anything that she was involved with - trooping of the colour. As I’ve got older, I suppose I’m more into royalist, because she works hard, they all work hard. They bring a lot of money into the country, which people I don’t think realise”

Michael added:“She’s there for the people. She’s our queen, and she’s there for the people and I just hope now the King’s took over - King Charles III, I just hope he does the same.”

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