The United Kingdom is maintaining a period of “royal mourning” for seven days after the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, whose date will be confirmed “in due course”, Buckingham Palace announced today.
The death of Elizabeth II, aged 96, occurred this Thursday at her home in Scotland, Balmoral Castle, where she was surrounded by her medical team and some members of her family, such as her eldest son and new king, Charles III.
Among other details to be released today about preparations for the coming days, up to the funeral, it was announced that there will be no physical condolence registers at any of the royal family’s official residences, but anyone who has a message can do so on the official website. Monarchy internet portal at https://www.royal.uk/send-message-condolence.
Flags in the royal residences were flown at half-mast on Thursday and will remain so until 8 a.m. after the last day of royal mourning.
In royal residences, half-mast flags do not apply to the Royal Standard and Royal Standard in Scotland while the King is in residence as they must always be flown.
Guidelines for flags in other public buildings have been issued by the UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
Royal residences will close until after the Queen’s funeral, including the Queen’s Gallery and Royal Mews in Buckingham Palace, and the Queen’s Gallery in Edinburgh.
Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House, privately owned by the Queen, will also close at this time. In addition, Hillsborough Castle, the official royal residence in Northern Ireland, will be closed.
The public will be able to leave flower arrangements at various locations, namely in or near royal residences, according to the guidelines of each location.
What’s in store for today
Today at 1:00 PM, on the occasion of the death of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, a 96-gun salute will take place in Hyde Park (London), the Tower of London, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh and abroad.
Today at noon, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and other churches in the country will mark Elizabeth II’s death with bells ringing in unison, with 96 chimes, one for each year of the Queen’s life. .
The two Houses of Parliament, the Commons (lower) Commons and the Lords (higher) will interrupt normal work and hold a single special session starting at 12 noon and lasting from 10am, until 10pm, where the Prime Minister and the delegates deliver speeches keep in honor of Isabel II.
A religious ceremony will also be held at the São Paulo Cathedral to honor the monarch, with the presence of state figures.
At 6 p.m., King Carlos III should make the first televised announcement to show the country his commitment to fulfill his duties as new head of state and pay tribute to his mother and sovereign.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on April 21, 1926 in London and became Queen of England in 1952, aged 25, after the death of her father, George VI, who took over when her brother abdicated.
The 70-year reign was the longest in British history, with his 73-year-old eldest son succeeding him as King Charles III.
Source: DN
