RCVS publishes Book of Remembrance for the professions to pay their respects to the late Queen

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has opened an online Book of Remembrance following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, to allow all members of the veterinary professions to pay their respects to the UK’s longest-serving monarch.

The online book – the details of which the College emailed the professions about on Friday 9 September – invites veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to leave written messages of condolence, as well as pictures, regarding the late Queen and will be available until Monday 3 October, two weeks after her state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September.

Dr Melissa Donald MRCVS, President of the RCVS who will be attending the Queen’s state funeral on behalf of the College, said: “I, along with my colleagues in the Officer Team and on RCVS and VN Councils, were greatly saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty the Queen last week.

“As our Patron and benefactor since her accession to the throne 70 years ago, as a keen supporter of the veterinary professions who had many interactions with its members, and as an animal-lover, we were keen to give veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses the opportunity to leave messages of condolence, anecdotes about meeting Her Majesty, and tributes for her many years of duty and service to this country.

“After it closes, we plan to save a digital copy of the online book in the RCVS historical archives for posterity.”

Any vets or nurses who have not received the original email should please contact communications@rcvs.org.uk for details.