New York pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Photo of the Freedom Tower; courtesy of Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr
To honor the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday at the age of 96, landmarks across New York were illuminated purple. Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered all flags on state buildings to be flown at half-staff on Friday; Mayor Eric Adams also directed all flags on city buildings and stationary flagstaffs to be lowered.
Photo of Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge; courtesy of Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr
“Queen Elizabeth II was a force on the world stage for decades and an inspiring female leader who leaves a lasting legacy,” Hochul said. “New York joins the people of the United Kingdom and all those who are mourning in honoring her life, and we send our prayers to her family.”
During her 70-year reign, the Queen visited NYC on three separate occasions, according to the New York Times. The first was in 1957 when she arrived by ferry and was met with jubilance and raining confetti. During her brief 15-hour stay, she visited the Empire State Building and other tourist attractions.
Photo of the State Capitol building courtesy of Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr
Her second visit was in 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of America’s independence from Great Britain. During this stay, she visited Bloomingdale’s and was declared an honorary New Yorker by then-Mayor Abraham Beame.
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Her final visit was in 2010 when she gave a speech at the United Nations to remember the September 11 attacks and went to ground zero to attend the opening of her Queen Elizabeth II Sept. 11 Garden. Thousands of New Yorkers on Thursday flocked to the garden to show respect for the Queen.
Glittering in purple and silver for Queen Elizabeth II pic.twitter.com/WFfV68UduY
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) September 9, 2022
“It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was committed to a life of service which impacted many,” Adams said. “She was a global force who will be remembered for her reign of 70 years. Our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth.”
New Yorkers mourned the Queen’s loss in the Little England section of the West Village, an area known for its abundance of English eateries and shops. Tea & Sympathy, an English restaurant serving comfort classics, was completely packed until the end of the night, according to Eater.
Just down the street, fish and chips shop A Salt & Battery had a similar attendance, overflowing with customers coming to pay tribute over a basket of the English delicacy.
Mourners also gathered at The Queen Elizabeth II September 11 Garden, a park in the Financial District that honors the 250 people from the British Commonwealth who died on 9/11, as NY1 reported.
