King Charles III has ordered an official period of Royal mourning, which is to be observed from Friday until seven days after The Queen Elizabeth II‘s Funeral, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.  

“Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff, and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties, will observe Royal Mourning,” the palace stated in a statement.

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The palace also announced that cannon salutes would be fired on Friday at 1 p.m. local time (10:30 pm IST) in London’s Hyde Park and at the Tower of London, one round being fired for each year of the Queen’s 96 years. A date for the Queen’s state burial has not yet been announced. It is anticipated to occur on or about September 19. Flags at royal residences will be at half-staff until the day after the period of mourning ends, with the exception of the Royal Standard, which always flies high over the palace where the monarch, now King Charles III, is living. Royal residences will be closed until after the funeral.

Friday, the King was returning to London from Balmoral in order to meet with Prime Minister Liz Truss and give a speech to the country.

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In 6 o’clock in the evening, a prayer and contemplation service will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. the public is welcome to attend and will be televised at local time (1 p.m. Eastern). In honour of the Queen, labour unions cancelled the planned nationwide strikes of rail and postal workers, and a memorial image of Elizabeth has been posted on billboards all around central London.

As people flocked to leave flowers at Buckingham Palace and other locations, the government warned that large crowds would be expected in central London over the next few days and that access to some areas and roads would be restricted.

“We anticipate significant crowding and delays on some public transportation,” the cabinet office said, advising the public to “check ahead and plan accordingly.”

Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace sang a morose royal anthem, God Save the Queen, following the official announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

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When news of the Queen’s deteriorating health was announced on Thursday, nearly a hundred people gathered outside Buckingham Palace. Hundreds more joined after the Queen’s death was confirmed in heavy rain.

At the time of her death, Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning British monarch. She started the Platinum Jubilee year of her reign earlier this year.