A special service of Choral Evensong to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession to the throne of King Charles III will take place in King’s College Chapel at 5.30pm on Tuesday, 20 September.
The service will be open to the public, and all are warmly invited to attend. Those who wish to join the service are invited to form a queue at the main entrance on King’s Parade. The queue will be admitted to the College grounds no later than 5pm.
Queen Elizabeth was welcomed to King’s Chapel on several occasions during her reign, including a visit to see the installation of the Rubens altarpiece in 1962, and to attend the Advent Procession on the 550th anniversary of the foundation of the College in 1991. In 2018 the Choir sang a carol and the National Anthem on the Queen’s Christmas Day broadcast which began with reference to the centenary of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. That message can be seen again here.
King Charles most recently visited the Chapel in November 2016, in an informal and private visit to hear the Choir rehearsing.
The Dean of King’s College Chapel, The Revd Dr Stephen Cherry, said:
At this time of great sadness and transition for our nation, it seemed only right that we should organise a special service in our Chapel and with our Choir. We are glad to be able to offer this opportunity for members of the College and the City alike to come together not only in reflection and remembrance but also in thanksgiving and hope. We look forward very much to welcoming people and to sharing in the service together.
