The Royal Family and the Government are inviting the nation to observe the state funeral ceremony of the Queen, with a new bank holiday.
While King Charles III was declared head of state during the Accession Council, he approved the order that the day of the Queen’s funeral will be a bank holiday.
The Queen’s funeral will take place on Monday, September 19. But are schools closed on this day?
Will schools close for the state funeral?
Schools and colleges will be closed on Monday, September 19, in accordance with the Government, to “allow individuals, businesses, and other organisations to pay their respects to Her Majesty”.
In a separate statement, the Department for Education (DfE) said: “This day will be a bank holiday and settings that are normally closed on a bank holiday should close on this day, as a mark of respect. This will include schools and colleges.”
The DfE also revealed that Ofsted inspections will continue as normal through the mourning period, but no inspections are scheduled during the bank holiday.
Where is the state funeral?
The state funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey next week (Monday, September 19), and the ceremony will begin at 11am.
It will be broadcast live to the nation and the rest of the world on BBC One.
Until then, the Queen will lie-in-state in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects.
Following the funeral, the coffin will travel in procession from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle via the Long Walk.
A committal service will then take place in St George’s Chapel, before the Queen is buried beside her husband, Prince Philip, at King George memorial chapel.
The Queen’s father, King George VI, The Queen Mother, and sister Princess Margaret are also laid to rest at the memorial chapel.
