Queen Elizabeth II: How Brighton paid tribute year ago today

The city, the county and the nation fell silent when news broke on the evening of September 8, 2022, that the Queen had died peacefully at Balmoral in Scotland.

Flags were lowered to half-mast across Sussex, while floral tributes were left outside the Royal Pavilion in Brighton - once the home of King George IV, which was lit up in purple on the night of the Queen’s death.

The Royal Pavilion was lit up in purple in memory of the Queen (Image: Simon Dack)

Among those who left flowers was Chrissy Lewis, who paid tribute to the Queen with her two granddaughters, Arianthe and Auriella.

“I feel quite emotional. I was born the year she came to the throne,” Chrissy said.

“We just left roses and wanted to come into Brighton today to do that.”

​'You did your duty' read one tribute at the Royal Pavilion (Image: Newsquest)

Flowers left at the former royal residence also featured notes in tribute to Her Late Majesty. One tribute said: “You did your duty for 70 years. Now it’s time to rest in peace Ma’am with your beloved Philip.”

Others also left messages in condolence books across the city.

Advertising billboards reflected the mood of the nation, with pictures of the Queen being displayed across the city in a mark of respect.

The city’s MPs were also quick to pay tribute to the Queen’s lifelong service to the nation, with Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas praising her “tireless work” and describing Her Majesty as being “at the heart of this country’s life for so long”.

Flags were flown at half-mast across Brighton and Sussex (Image: Newsquest)

A number of businesses across Sussex closed following the Queen’s death, including Wakehurst, the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill and Parham House and Gardens in Storrington.

A three-day Pub in the Park festival, which had been due to take place in Preston Park, was also postponed at last minute as a result of the period of national mourning.

Not everyone mourned the death of the Queen, however, with activist group Reclaim Pride Brighton using the occasion to call for the UK to become a republic.

In a post on social media, the group said: “Our thoughts and prayers are dedicated to hoping this oppressive system ends and that extensive decolonisation efforts will take place.”

Thousands of people flocked to the Palace of Westminster to file past the coffin of the Queen (Image: Newsquest)

In the run-up to the Queen’s funeral, around a quarter of a million people flocked to Westminster Hall in London to file past the coffin of the Queen, with some queuing for more than 24 hours to pay their respects.

People from Sussex also visited Buckingham Palace to place flowers and leave messages of sympathy to the Royal Family.

As the Queen was laid to rest in a special state funeral held at Westminster Abbey, people gathered at screenings across the county, including on Brighton Palace Pier.

The city centre was left deserted as many watched the historic event on television.

People gathered on Brighton Palace Pier to watch the funeral live (Image: Newsquest)

One mourner who watched the funeral from the pier said: “The Queen has been more of a mum to me than my own mother.”

Reporter Zac Sherratt, who joined those who gathered at the pier to watch the funeral, said: “Normally a happy and thriving place, the pier has paused to mark this once-in-a-lifetime moment.”