Royal period of mourning will now take place for seven days

Now that the Queen has been laid to rest, a seven-day, private mourning period will take place for the royal family.

Certain troops and household staff will also be included in the additional mourning period, as the UK’s national ten-day mourning period comes to an end tomorrow (20 September).

A day after Queen Elizabeth II’s death on 8 September, King Charles III called for a period of royal mourning in a statement that read: "It is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral."

PA

This means the period of private mourning will come to an end on 26 September. 

Buckingham Palace’s statement continued: "Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties."

According to MyLondon, royals and the like will have to follow certain etiquette during the period of private mourning.

The outlet pointed to the period of private mourning announced by the Queen following the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in April 2021.

Her Majesty had called for a two-week period of royal mourning, with the statement reading: "During this period, Members of the Royal Family will continue undertaking engagements appropriate to the circumstances. Mourning bands will be worn where appropriate." 

Aside from the fact that royals might be expected to wear black mourning armbands, no other specific requirements were outlined in Her Majesty’s statement last year.

However, the royal family’s official website did note that ‘Union flags were being flown at half-mast on Royal Residences, Government Buildings, establishments of the Armed Forces and UK Posts overseas’.

PA

The Queen's funeral took place today (19 September) at Westminster Abbey where the King was in attendance alongside other members of the royal family.

The royals were joined by heads of states, various overseas government representatives, and foreign royalty in paying their respects to Her Majesty. 

During his first address to the public as King after his mother’s death, Charles paid tribute to the late monarch and her decades-long service, saying: “On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support.”

The King went on: “And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.”