Details of the period of mourning following the Queen’s death have begun to emerge.
After the passing of his 96-year-old mother, King Charles has announced a period of mourning from now until seven days after the Queen’s funeral.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, it is His Majesty the King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral. The date of the Funeral will be confirmed in due course.
“Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties.”
Charles was expected to return to the capital on Friday where he will meet with Liz Truss.
Church bells tolled across the country at midday in tribute to Her Majesty.
At 1pm, gun salutes will also take place at Hyde Park and the Tower of London - they will fire for every year of her life.
A service will also be held at St Paul’s Cathedral while Charles will make a televised address to the nation at 6pm.
HM Queen Elizabeth II A Nation Mourns
Going forward, carefully discussed plans - codenamed London Bridge - will be enacted.
The Queen’s coffin is expected to be taken by road to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Sunday.
A procession is then expected along Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral. The service and the Vigil of the Princes by members of the Royal Family will then begin.
Her Majesty’s coffin is then expected to return to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, although the funeral date has not been announced, it is likely to be September 19.
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.
