The day of the Queen’s funeral will be a Bank Holiday, it has been confirmed.
The new King Charles III formally approved the order at St James’s Palace in London today as he was declared sovereign.
While the Bank Holiday has been approved, it has still not been confirmed which day the Queen’s funeral will be held on.
Paying tribute to the Queen at the throne room of St James’s before the assembled Accession Council shortly after 10.20am, the King approved the order.
Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt said: ‘Drafts of two proclamations. One – appointing the day of Her late Majesty’s state funeral as a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
‘Two – appointing the day of Her late Majesty’s state funeral as a bank holiday in Scotland.
‘And of two orders in council, directing the Lord Chancellor to affix the great seal to the proclamations.’
Charles answered: ‘Approved.’
Details of the Queen’s funeral and other forthcoming ceremonial and commemorative events will be announced ‘in due course’, the Cabinet Office said.
The department also warned of crowding and delays on some public transport as people seek to pay their respects.
It said: ‘We recognise that many people will travel to Buckingham Palace and other royal residences as a mark of their respect.
‘We expect large crowds, which can pose risks to public safety. Those who do travel are asked to follow any instructions given to them by stewards and the police. We expect significant crowding and delays on some public transport. The public should check ahead and plan accordingly.
‘As you would expect, a number of organisations will now be making practical preparations including contingency planning for the state funeral and related events. Access to some areas, especially in central London, will be restricted, with road closures and diversions that will cause delays to vehicles and pedestrians.
‘Those who wish to lay floral tributes near royal residences in London, Windsor, Edinburgh, Balmoral and Sandringham are asked to do so only in designated areas, as directed by stewards. Further details will be made available shortly.’
King Charles III today made a personal declaration on the death of his beloved mother Queen Elizabeth II and vowed to uphold ‘constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these islands, and of the Commonwealth realms and territories throughout the world’ – as Britain’s new monarch was formally announced at St James’s Palace in London today.
Charles automatically became Sovereign on the death of his mother aged 96 at Balmoral Castle on Thursday afternoon, but the Accession Council – an ancient body of advisers that dates back as far as the time of the Norman Conquest – has formally announced his role as Head of State today.
Broadcast cameras were allowed into the historic event giving the world a first glimpse of an ancient ceremony dating back centuries – and one of the first changes to convention instigated by the new King.
