| Administrative History | Elizabeth II (1926-2022) became Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms on the death of her father George VI in February 1952. She served as Queen for over 70 years until her death on 8 September 2022, having become the longest-serving monarch in 2015. Books of condolence were opened across the country, including by local authorities and churches, between 9 and 20 September. A small number of venues kept the books open for slightly longer. At the request of the Royal Palaces, local books of condolence were to be offered to the local archive service. |