The passing of Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, is perhaps the biggest story around the world today…reverberating even here in Los Angeles, half way around the globe.
This morning, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti was just one of several local officials who tweeted about the Queen’s death, saying “Los Angeles mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen’s spirit of adventure, discovery, and devotion to her people will live on. She was an incarnation of her country and its values. Sending our deepest condolences to the royal family.”
LA County Supervisor Janice Han also weighed in, saying Elizabeth “was an icon of grace and commitment to duty in the interest of the people. I’m certain that now it’s the angels who are curtsying in her honor.”
And City Attorney Mike Feuer referred to the monarch’s “singularly extraordinary life of dedication, dignity and service.”
Of course, the British flag is now flying at half mast at the official residence of the British Consul General (shown above), in Hancock Park.
And this afternoon, Zaib Shaikh, Consul General of the Consulate General of Canada Los Angeles, Arizona & Nevada (who also resides in Hancock Park), sent out the following announcement, noting that the Queen was also Canada’s monarch, and that due to her death and Canada’s official mourning period, a local Emmy Awards celebration planned by the Canadian Consulate this evening has been postponed:
“Dear friends of Canada,
As you may have heard, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s monarch and Head of State, passed away today.
Because of this we have entered an official time of mourning which affects what we can and cannot do and host as a consulate. For that reason, and out of respect for the Queen’s passing, we have had to postpone the Emmys/Key to the Consulate celebration that was to be held this evening.
The very last minute nature of this change is unfortunate but sadly entirely out of our hands. We hope you understand.
Meanwhile, at our other – slightly less formal – local British outpost, the Cat & Fiddle Pub at 742 N. Highland Ave., co-owner Ashlee Gardner told the Buzz today that everyone is “shocked and saddened about the news” of the Queen’s death. We asked if the venue is planning to commemorate the occasion in any way, and Gardner said the pub was already planning a soft launch of its new afternoon tea service this weekend, so it will proceed with that debut and will tie it in with remembrance of the Queen. The afternoon tea will be available on Saturday & Sunday from 12-4 pm (this weekend and every weekend from here on out), for both dine-in and takeaway (full menu here). Quantities will be limited, however (and we’re guessing this weekend will be particularly crowded), so Gardner said “pre-orders and reservations are strongly suggested.”
It seems a lovely tribute…and we’ll be sure to bring you news of any other local commemorations or gatherings that we hear about in the next few days.
