How people in Ottawa will remember the Queen

Phil Mills and hispartner Laurenwere standing by a photo of Queen Elizabeth II at the ChteauLaurierHotel in Ottawa when they heard about the long-reigning monarch's death at the age of 96 on Thursday.

Theylivein Newfoundlandbut arefrom the United Kingdom.

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be if [I]couldn't be in London," Lauren Mills said of being in Canada on the solemn and historic day.

"This is a perfect spot," she said at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill, where flags were lowered tohalf-mastand people left flowers for the Queen throughout the day.

WATCH |Ottawa residents and visitors reflect on Queen's death

She was the kind of queen you wanted a queen to be

2 years ago

Duration 3:03

Ottawa visitors and residents say they were sad to hear the news of Queen Elizabeths death on Thursday afternoon.

Ottawa resident Pat Burnett depositeda bouquet of roses on the front steps of the British High Commission building at the corner ofElgin and Queen streets Thursdayevening.

She appended a short but sweet note, as well:

"Thank you, Ma'am."

People also gathered and left flowers at Rideau Hall. It's the current home of a statue of the Queen on horseback,and the place she would stay when she visited the capital.

Tolling of church bells planned Friday

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson who met the Queen in 1992when he was a city councillor said her passion for horse riding was evident.

"On several occasions over the years, the RCMP gave the Queen one of their horses," Watson said. "And I know she visited the stables on a number of occasions. So she had many different interests and she was able to come to our city and experience those interests."

WATCH|Ottawa mayor says Queen Elizabeth wasadmired

Ottawa mayor says Queen Elizabeth was widely admired for her devotion and grace

2 years ago

Duration 1:32

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson reflected on the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who visited the city many times over her 70 years on the throne.

Watson will be at Jean Pigott Place at City Hall on Friday morning at 9 a.m. to sign a book of condolence. Residents will then be able to leave their own thoughts and memories in the bookuntil sunset on the dayof Queen's funeral in the U.K., andcan also leave messages of condolenceonline at ottawa.ca.

A date for the funeralhas not yet been announced.

Senior leadership at the city, including council members, willwear a black ribbon label as an outward sign of mourning.

Official books of condolences are also available to sign at Rideau Hall Fridayfrom 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Also on Friday,the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa is inviting churches in the diocese to toll their bells "gently" beginning at noon.

• Have a personal story about the Queen to share? We'd like to hear from you. Send an email to ottawamorning@cbc.ca

On the day of the Queen's funeralat Westminster Abbeyin London, U.K., Canada'sfederal government will host anational commemorative ceremony in Ottawaat Christ Church Cathedral.

That same daythere will be a parade,a fly-past over Parliament Hillby Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18s in the missing man formation,and agun salute: one round fired for each of the Queen's 96 years lived.

More details are forthcoming.

WATCH | Queen Elizabeth visits Ottawa 1957

Queen Elizabeth visits Ottawa 1957

8 years ago

Duration 2:15

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip welcomed at Lansdowne Park during 1957 Ottawa visit.

Queen Elizabeth II visits to Ottawa during 70-year reign

The Queen visited Ottawa several times during her long reign, most recently in 2010. The City of Ottawa said she visited the capital 13 timesduring her 22 visits to Canada.

Here are photos from some of those visits.