Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II: Mayor’s message

As many of you are aware, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral took place today in the United Kingdom. Westmount joins all nations in offering condolences to the Royal Family.

Many residents of our city gathered at the WAG last Saturday to watch the Westmount Battery fire the cannon in honour of the Queen. This demonstrates the close relationship that exists between our city and the Queen.

Our community has many events and traditions that reflect this attachment. The visit to our city by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during their Canadian tour in 1959 is one of the most significant events in our history.
On that occasion, the City presented her with a silver maple syrup jug, and Mayor J.C. Cushing pledged to provide the Queen with an annual supply of maple syrup, courtesy of the City of Westmount. This tradition has persisted over time.

This past June, we planted a red oak tree in the Queen Elizabeth Gardens to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.

Many of us are saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Since her death was announced on September 8, the City’s flags have flown at half-mast to honour her memory.

On behalf of the Council and the City of Westmount, I extend our sincere condolences to His Majesty King Charles III, the Royal Family and the British people.

We will never forget the moral strength of Queen Elizabeth II and the values of democracy and freedom she always embodied.

Christina M. Smith
Mayor of Westmount