A multi-faith memorial service in Halifax for Queen Elizabeth II honoured the 96-year-old British monarch, who reigned for 70 years.
Monday marked the state funeral in the United Kingdom for the queen, who died on Sept. 8 in her beloved Scottish residence, Balmoral Castle.
In the afternoon, Nova Scotia had the chance to say farewell, during the special service at Cathedral Church of All Saints in downtown Halifax.
During his eulogy, Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc said the outpouring of condolences from all over the world shows what a positive impact the queen had on people.
“She was a fixture of Canadian life and the lives of people throughout the commonwealth,” he said.
“Service, duty and commitment are words that define Her Majesty,” he added, noting that the queen met with the incoming and outgoing British prime ministers just days before her death.
He recalled how he and his wife met with the queen in the fall of 2017, and how she remembered Nova Scotia fondly and the Canadians’ wartime efforts.
“We were greeted by a warm, friendly, very engaged lady, who was full of vitality and whose knowledge of Nova Scotia was simply incredible,’ LeBlanc said.
As part of the commemoration events, there was also a 21-gun salute from Citadel Hill by the Royal Canadian Artillery.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said during the service that the queen’s five trips to Nova Scotia would be remembered for generations to come.
“It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to Queen Elizbeth II,” said Houston.
“May she rest in peace and remain a symbol of service and humanity.”