The one-off holiday was officially approved by King Charles III at his first meeting with the Privy Council at St James’s Palace in London. Acting Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt read two draft proclamations designating the day as a public holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Scotland. Charles responded with the single word “Approved” before signing the proclamations. The move means schools, businesses, government offices and many shops will close for the day, allowing as many people as possible to attend the funeral. The procedure for the events in the wake of the monarch’s death is set out in a strict set of protocols code-named Operation London Bridge. Under this plan, the Queen’s coffin will be carried in procession to Westminster Abbey in a gun carriage, pulled not by horses but by sailors – sailors – using ropes. Flags will fly at half-mast during the mourning period (PA Wire) Senior members of the royal family will follow on foot, as they did for the funerals of Diana, Princess of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh. Heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, European royalty and key figures in public life will be invited to gather at the abbey, which can accommodate a congregation of 2,000. US President Joe Biden has confirmed he will attend. The service will be televised and a national two-minute silence is expected. After the funeral, the Queen’s coffin will be taken to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for a televised ceremony. There are usually eight annual holidays for workers in England and Wales, while those in Scotland usually get nine or 1. There was an additional bank holiday earlier this year on Friday 3rd June to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The new bank holiday was announced moments after Charles was officially named King at the accession council ceremony. After Charles was declared absent in the palace picture gallery, around 200 members of the privy council entered the throne room for their first meeting with the new monarch. In a statement to the council, Charles vowed to follow Elizabeth II’s “inspiring example” in his service to the nation “for the rest of my life”. Standing before the royal throne in the palace’s Throne Room, Charles spoke of the “irreparable loss” for himself, his family, the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the whole world represented by his mother’s death. There will be a public holiday for the Queen’s funeral (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) “It is the greatest comfort to me to know the sympathy so many have expressed to me, my sister and brothers,” he said. In recognition of the new King’s reign, official flags were flown at full mast for Proclamation Day before being returned to half-mast until the end of the Royal Mourning period. Charles’ speech was his second as monarch, following a televised address to the nation on Friday in which he named his eldest son William Prince of Wales and sent a message of “love” to his youngest son Prince Harry and his wife Megan. Paying tribute to his late mother, he said at the time: “I speak to you today with feelings of deep sadness. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – has been an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the sincerest debt any family can owe to their mother. for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.” It ended with a heartfelt tribute to the Queen, bringing tears to many of those watching. “To my beloved mom, as you embark on your last long journey to join my late papa, I just want to say this: thank you,” he said. “Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and the family of nations that you have served so diligently over the years.” In his speech today, he hailed Elizabeth’s example of “lifelong love and selfless service”, saying he was “deeply aware of this great legacy and the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty that have now passed to me”. He added: “In assuming these responsibilities, I will endeavor to follow the inspiring example set before me in supporting constitutional government and to pursue the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these islands and in the Commonwealth spheres and territories throughout the world.” Charles also formally renounced the financial income from the Crown estates, in exchange for a state grant from the government to support him in his duties.
