King Charles approves bank holiday for day of Queen’s funeral

One of the orders approved by King Charles III, during the proclamation ceremony, was for the day of the Queen’s funeral to be a Bank Holiday.

The lord president of the council, Penny Mordaunt, said: “Drafts of two proclamations. One – appointing 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.

Charles answered: “Approved.”

The original plans for the funeral were for the Queen’s coffin to process on a gun carriage to the abbey, pulled by naval ratings – sailors – using ropes rather than horses.

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

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

Heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, European royals and key figures from public life will be invited to gather in the abbey, which can hold a congregation of 2,000.

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

The same day as the funeral, the Queen’s coffin will be taken to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for a televised committal service. Later in the evening, there will be a private interment service with senior members of the royal family.

The Queen’s final resting place will be the King George VI memorial chapel, an annex to the main chapel – where her mother and father were buried, along with the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret.

Prince Philip’s coffin will move from the Royal Vault to the memorial chapel to join the Queen’s.

Other events are also planned across the county.

The King signed the oath he declared in front of the Privy Council. This was followed by Prince William – the new Prince of Wales and Camilla, the Queen Consort. Witnesses at the proclamation also added their signatures to the document.

King Charles III dedicated the rest of his life to serving as monarch. shouldering his new responsibilities, the King publicly promised to follow in the Queen’s example. It was the choreography of continuity.

Gun salutes have taken place to mark the Principal Proclamation.

The King’s troops fired 41 guns in Hyde Park and 62 guns at the Tower of London to mark the accession of the King.