There isn't expected to be a bank holiday for the Queen's funeral
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Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II earlier today, Britain has entered a period of national mourning, which will conclude in 10 days’ time with her funeral.
The funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey, with a two-minutes’ silence held across the country at midday.
But as many people plan to watch along from home, some will inevitably be asking whether or not the day will also be a bank holiday – or if we’ll get one at a later date.
Earlier this year, the UK had an extra bank holiday to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, which marked 70 years on the throne.
However, according to Politico, it was already pre-agreed between the prime minster and the Queen that the day of the state funeral would mark a ‘Day of National Mourning’, which would ‘effectively be a bank holiday’ but without the title.
Citing official documents, the outlet explained how, if the funeral was to fall on a weekday, the government did not plan to order employers to give employees the day off, saying this was a matter between employers and their staff.
It was also decided that, if the funeral fell either on the weekend or over an existing bank holiday, an extra bank holiday would not be granted.
As the funeral will take place 10 days after the Queen’s death, it is expected that Queen Elizabeth will be laid to rest on 18 September, which is a Sunday.
This means that not only will the day itself not be a bank holiday, an extra bank holiday also won’t be granted for another date.
A statement from the Royal Family earlier today confirmed that the 96-year-old had passed away at her home at Balmoral.
A post from the Royal Family's official Twitter account said: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
"The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
The tragic news came after the Palace revealed that Her Majesty was under medical supervision due to concerns over her health.
It now means that 'Operation London Bridge' has come into effect, marking a 10-day period leading up to the Queen's funeral and Charles' accession to the throne.
This comes to an end with a state funeral on the 10th day, with processions due to take place before the Queen is buried in Windsor Castle's King George VI Memorial Chapel.
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