Book of Condolence: how to send message of condolence to Royal Family after Queen’s death, can I do it online?

The UK’s longest-serving monarch Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully on Thursday 8 September.

The Queen had celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June, but concerns had been growing about her health in recent months.

Her last official engagement occurred a few days before her death, on Tuesday 6 September when she appointed Liz Truss as the next Prime Minister.

The news has come as a shock to millions across the UK, with crowds descending on Buckingham Palace.

Members of the public want to pay their respects and one way they can do this is by leaving a message to the Royal Family in a Book of Condolence.

Here’s everything you need to know about signing a Book of Condolence for The Queen.

How to sign the Queen’s Book of Condolence

There will be no physical Book of Condolence from the Royal Family, instead, a virtual one has been set up on their website.

It is open for anyone to sign - no matter where you are in the world.

Messages left will either be shared directly with the Royal Family or “held in the royal archives for posterity”.

There will also be physical books available to sign, with local councils and religious organisations setting them up for members of the public.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that “there are no physical Books of Condolence at the Royal Residences.”

Where will there be Books of Condolence?

As well as the virtual Book of Condolence, local councils and religious insitutions across the UK also plan to set up physical books where people can write their messages.

Royal Family guidance advises that any organisation or person is able to open a Book of Condolence during the national mourning period.

Books are placed on a table with a white tablecloth, an arrangement of flowers and a framed photograph of The Queen.

In a statement by the Chairman of the Local Government Association, James Jamieson he outlined the arrangements local councils have made to honour The Queen.

Jamieson said: “Councils have been proud to serve Her Majesty throughout her reign and will continue to do so by now putting into place local arrangements to support the public in expressing their own sympathies.

“These arrangements will include the opening of both public and virtual books of condolence, ensuring flags are flown at half mast, and overseeing arrangements for the laying of flowers in public areas.”

Councils that have already set up Condolence Books for residents to sign include: Portsmouth, Westminster Swansea, Derby, Preston, Nottingham, Lancashire County and Belfast.

Can I sign it online?

The official Book of Condolence will only be available to sign virtually, as the Royal Family have not set up a physical version.

You can leave a message or sign the Queen’s Condolence Book on the Royal Family’s website.

The section for the Book of Condolence is along the right handside of the page and is also included on the homepage called “Book of Condolence”.

In order to submit your message you will need to include your name, location and email address.