Schools across the north and north-east will be closed for a bank holiday on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
King Charles III approved the bank holiday during his proclamation ceremony where he was formally declared king.
This means schools, public services, most businesses and many shops will be closed.
We've confirmed that the council will close, including schools, on Monday 19 September 2022 to observe the official national day of mourning on the date of the state funeral of Her Majesty the Queen.
Full details on link below.https://t.co/wgJBV9EdQR
— Moray Council (@MorayCouncil) September 13, 2022
The funeral will be held on Monday, September 19. There are currently no plans to make it an annual holiday.
The last monarch, King George VI’s funeral was not a bank holiday. But the UK government said they want to give “as many people as possible” the opportunity to mark her majesty’s passing.
Currently, no decision has been made if there will be another bank holiday for the coronation.
A complex operation – codenamed London Bridge – is now under way in the aftermath of the long-standing monarch’s death at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon.
Buckingham Palace said a period of royal mourning will be observed from now until seven days after the Queen’s funeral.
National mourning for the Queen
Many public buildings such as galleries and museums will be closed during the period of national mourning, which is expected to be around 12 days.
Meanwhile, the local authorities have released extensive lists of locations where people can lay flowers and sign books of condolences in memory of Her Majesty.
Crowds of loyal, loving subjects of the Queen have been gathering at Balmoral, the monarch’s Scottish residence, since Thursday evening.
Colourful bouquets, personalised messages and gifts – including flower baskets in the shape of a Corgi, the Queen’s beloved dogs – have brightened the gates of the estate.
Gun salutes were fired around the UK and overseas, as well as at Edinburgh Castle, on Friday to mark the death of the Queen.
Royal Mail to suspend services
Elsewhere, the Royal Mail has confirmed it will suspend its services on the day of the Queen’s funeral following the announcement that it will be a bank holiday.
Royal Mail chief executive, Simon Thompson said: “We are proud that over the coming days Royal Mail will play an important role delivering messages of condolence from all around the world to the royal family.
“We want to make our customers aware that services will be suspended on the day of the funeral as people come together to honour Her Majesty, after 70 years of exemplary service to the nation and the Commonwealth.”
IN FULL: All the closures and disruption on the day of Queen’s funeral
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