All flags raised around the city for the 47th Independence Anniversary will fly at half-mast as Port Moresby mourns the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. City Manager Ravu Frank issued the instructions at City Hall in compliance with the directive from the Department of Foreign Affairs for all flags in the country to be lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect for the late Queen of England and the Commonwealth of nations. “We have complied accordingly with all our flags in the city as we mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of England and the Commonwealth of nations. “The flags were raised all over the city in preparation for the 47th Independence anniversary celebration however, in these circumstances we are obliged to comply as a mark of respect and honor of our head of state. “The City of Port Moresby extends sincere condolences to the royal family with prayers and thoughts on this very significant loss,” Mr. Frank said. Queen Elizabeth II had a strong connection to Papua New Guinea and displayed gracious and humble leadership of the Commonwealth over the 70 years of her rule. She visited Papua New Guinea in 1974 prior to Papua New Guinea’s independence and Port Moresby hosted her visit at the now re developed Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. “Port Moresby deeply feels the passing of Her Majesty,” Mr. Frank said. Meanwhile, the City Manager is strongly appealing to city residents to refrain from stealing the Papua New Guinea flags hoisted in public places for the purpose of celebrating the country’s 47th independence anniversary. His appeal follows reports of missing flags from public areas which are presumed to be “stolen” from the locations. The national flags and the other decorations are put up to instill pride and a feeling of nationalism in our city as we approach independence day and stealing the flags is totally unacceptable,” Mr. Frank said.