- The Queen’s state funeral is expected to take place at Westminster Abbey in less than two weeks.
- The Abbey has not hosted a monarch’s funeral since the 18th century.
- The government has declared a state of national mourning that will last until the day of the state funeral.
King Charles III has declared a bank holiday across the United Kingdom for the day of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II’s, funeral.
The order was confirmed by the new king at a ceremony in London proclaiming him as monarch.
The date of the Queen’s state funeral has yet to be determined.
The Queen, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, died peacefully on Thursday afternoon at her Scottish estate, Balmoral.
Buckingham Palace has yet to confirm the exact date of the Queen’s state funeral, which is expected to take place in less than two weeks at Westminster Abbey.
The Abbey has not hosted a monarch’s funeral service since the 18th century, though the Queen’s mother’s funeral was held there in 2002.
The historic church where Britain’s kings and queens are crowned, including the Queen’s coronation in 1953, and where she married Prince Philip in 1947, is Westminster Abbey.
Heads of state from around the world will be invited to join members of the Royal Family in commemorating the Queen’s life and service.
Senior UK politicians and former prime ministers are also expected to attend the televised service.
The upcoming bank holiday is one of several ways that life in the United Kingdom has been put on hold as a result of the Queen’s death.
The government has declared a state of national mourning that will last until the day of the state funeral.
There is no requirement for event organizers to cancel planned events, but many that were scheduled to take place in the days following the Queen’s death have already been canceled or postponed for a few days.
Football matches in the Premier League, English Football League, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have been rescheduled for Tuesday, as have all games in the Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship, and Women’s FA Cup. Several horse racing, golf, and boxing events have also been canceled.
Following the Queen’s death, large-scale strike actions planned for next week were immediately canceled, and the Trades Union Congress announced that it would postpone its annual conference in Brighton this weekend out of respect.
Government guidance suggests that on the day of the state funeral, organizers of sporting fixtures or pre-planned events may wish to adjust timings to avoid clashing with the service or processions.
Some shops and businesses may also close on the day of the funeral, with Harrods announcing its intention to do so.
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