With the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, the UK is entering a new era. The disappearance of the 96-year-old sovereign, after seventy years of reign, opens a period of mourning for the country.
This Friday, Charles will address the nation for the first time as King. Here is the expected program this Friday, in the UK.
• The King and Queen Consort return to London
In the early afternoon, Charles and Camilla, who were at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Queen Elizabeth II died, returned to London.
• The contemplation of the government, the tribute of the deputies
The Government keeps a minute of silence this Friday morning in memory of the sovereign after an extraordinary council of ministers. In Parliament, deputies meet from noon to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in a session that should last about ten hours.
• Bells and cannon shots
At noon (1 pm in France), church bells ring across the country, especially at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
Then 96 cannon shots are fired – in reference to the age of the queen – from various places in the capital, such as the Tower of London or Hyde Park, as well as in different cities of the kingdom, such as Cardiff or Belfast.
• Charles III addresses the British
The highlight of the day, to follow on BFMTV, the new King Carlos III addresses his subjects on television. This speech takes place at 17:00 GMT (19:00 in France). It is his first televised speech of him as sovereign after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Tribute Session in Parliament is suspended while the King addresses the nation.
Charles spoke for the first time Thursday night in a short statement to express his family’s “great sadness” after the death of “a dear sovereign and a beloved mother: I know her loss will be deeply felt across the country, the kingdoms and the community”. , and by countless people around the world,” he added.
• Mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral
In London, a homage mass is to be held at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, in the presence of the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, and several high-ranking dignitaries of the country. Scheduled for 7:00 p.m., probably just after Carlos III’s speech, it should also welcome the general public and some 2,000 people could be present.
• Daily life on hold
Several elements of the daily life of the British are on pause this Friday. Like football matches for example: the Premier League, the English championship, has postponed scheduled matches, in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. But strikes are also suspended, among postal or railway workers, and important decisions of the central bank are postponed.
Source: BFM TV
