Queen’s funeral will be a bank holiday after King Charles approves it

A bank holiday has been approved for the Queen’s state funeral by King Charles.

The King signed a proclamation laid out by Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt  that appoints the day of the funeral as a bank holiday across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Lord Mordaunt read out two draft proclamations appointing the day as a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and in Scotland.

Charles responded with the single word ‘Approved’ before signing the proclamations.

The date of the funeral is yet to be announced.

During the Accession ceremony at St. James’ Place, King Charles also made his declaration and oath as monarch, pledging to dedicate ‘what remains of my life’ to his new role.

In his speech, he said: “In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding 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.

“In this purpose, I know that I shall be upheld by the affection and loyalty of the peoples whose Sovereign I have been called upon to be, and that in the discharge of these duties I will be guided by the counsel of their elected parliaments.”

Speaking in his first national address as King last night, King Charles paid tribute to his late mother, saying the ‘affection, admiration and respect’ the Queen inspired ‘became the hallmark of her reign’.

Speaking of his ‘profound sorrow’, the King said of his mother: “Throughout her life, HM the Queen, my beloved mother, was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family.

“We owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their mother, for her love, affection, guidance and example.”

HM Queen Elizabeth passed away on September 8th after being placed under medical observation at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. 

In the coming days, the Queen’s body will be moved from Balmoral to St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, before returning to Buckingham Palace.

Five days after her death, the Queen’s coffin is expected to make the mile-long journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where her body will lie in state before the funeral.

Senior members of the family are expected to poignantly follow behind, just like they did for the funeral of Princess Diana and, more recently, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The military will line the streets and also join the procession.

The service will be televised, and a national two minutes’ silence is expected to be held.