A national day of remembrance will be held on September 22, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns from Britain, where he will attend the Queen’s funeral. A memorial service will also be held on this day, which has been declared a one-time holiday. As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia 16 times. “From her famous first trip to Australia, the only sovereign ever to visit, it was clear that Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia,” Albanese said in a statement on Friday. “Fifteen more tours before cheering crowds in every part of our country confirmed the special place he held in ours.” In 1999 Australia held a referendum on whether the Queen should be removed as head of state, but was defeated. On Friday, the iconic Sydney Opera House was lit up with a tribute to the Queen. Neighboring Commonwealth country New Zealand on Sunday also formally named King Charles III its head of state in a televised ceremony. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Queen Elizabeth had served the people of New Zealand for 70 years with unwavering duty. “For the vast majority of New Zealanders, she is the only monarch we have ever known, and so with her death we enter a time of change,” Ardern said. “King Charles has long had an affection for Aotearoa New Zealand and has consistently demonstrated his deep care for our nation.” she added. “And so as one chapter closes, another begins.” Canada’s parliament will convene on Thursday to allow members to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter on Saturday. Trudeau added that Canada’s parliament will also delay its opening session by a day. “To accommodate Her Majesty’s funeral, the start of the session will be delayed — by one day — to September 20,” Trudeau said.
