To commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign on the throne, bells were ringing in Regina Sunday.

The Regina Bell Ringers performed their traditional duties of sounding the bells to recognize the passing of a seated monarch.

The Darke Memorial Chimes at the Knox-Metropolitan United Church tolled 25,301 times, once for each day of the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

The ringing of the bells lasted approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes.

Mr. and Mrs. Francis N. Darke commissioned the set of 12 bells in memory of their son, Clifford Albert Darke and presented them to the church to be held in trust on behalf of the people of Regina. They were dedicated in October 1927.

When the bells were donated, Darke established several traditions. One tradition being that any time a seated monarch died, the bells would toll to acknowledge their reign, in solidarity with the people who lived under that monarch, in recognition of their “grief or relief”.

Apart from the bells, local residents have been paying tribute to her majesty by laying flowers at her statue in the gardens of the Legislature building, which was unveiled in her honor during her visit to Regina in 2005.

Residents have also been signing their names in books of condolences that are located at the Government House and City Hall.

Local residents lay flowers at Queen Elizabeth’s statue in the gardens of the Legislature Building.

Book of condolences for Queen Elizabeth presented at the Government House in Regina.