A Bank Holiday Will Be Observed For Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral

It’s been confirmed that the day of the Queen’s funeral will be a Bank Holiday.

The new King Charles III formally endorsed the order at St James’s Palace, London today as he was proclaimed sovereign.

While the Bank Holiday has been approved, it’s still not been established which day the Queen’s funeral will be held on, although it’s expected on the 10th day of mourning, Monday, September 19.

This means that there will now be 10 Bank Holidays in total this year, with an additional one earlier being added because of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Usually, the United Kingdom has eight Bank Holidays a year.

Paying tribute to the Queen at the throne room of St James’s before the assembled Accession Council soon after 10.20 am, the King approved the order.

Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt said that drafts of two proclamations, one setting 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.

King Charles III answered that he approved.

Users on Twitter responded to the news of the Bank Holiday soon after the announcement was made. With one person saying that a Bank Holiday for the State Funeral. What a day that will be – sad indeed, but glorious.

There were, of course, mixed responses with one posting, saying not another Bank Holiday.

The Cabinet Office said that details of the Queen’s funeral and other forthcoming ceremonial and commemorative events would be disclosed in due course.

The department also warned of crowding and delays on some public transport as people strive to pay their respects. They said that they realise that numerous people will journey to Buckingham Palace and other royal residences as a mark of their respect.

They said that they expect large crowds, which could pose risks to public safety, and that those who do travel are requested to observe any instructions given to them by stewards and the police, and that they anticipate substantial crowding and delays on some public transport, and that the public should check ahead and plan accordingly, and that as people would expect, a number of organisations would now be making practical preparations including contingency planning for the State Funeral and related events.

Access to some areas, particularly in Central London will be restricted, with road closures and diversions that will cause delays to vehicles and pedestrians.

But will this really be treated as a proper Bank Holiday comparable to Christmas Day where stores, theme parks et cetera are closed? Perhaps not because life goes on regardless, and perhaps it should be left down to businesses to decide if they remain open or not.

Some people may even use the day to see family et cetera. That doesn’t mean they don’t feel sad that the Queen has passed away, but for many, she was not their family.

Of course, this is history in the making. The first death of a reigning Monarch in 70 years and I’m sure the majority of the British people will be watching with tears in their eyes.

It’s lovely that this is being done, out of a mark of respect for the beloved Queen, but it’s also important to be part of that with our children so they can understand and remember this moment in history, and that their children and their children’s children will no doubt study and remember the Queen in the future.