Date confirmed for Queen Elizabeth II funeral
The date for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II has been announced.
It will take place at 11am on Monday 19th September at Westminster Abbey and will also be public bank holiday.
The day was made a bank holiday by King Charles III himself, during today's historic accession council.
The details of the service and events have been released this afternoon by Buckingham Palace and the Earl Marshal, The Duke of Norfolk, who is responsible for the arrangements.
Plans involve a four-day lying in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday 14th September.
The Queen’s oak will be carried by six gamekeepers from the Balmoral Estate from 10am tomorrow by road to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Sunday, on a slow six hour journey by hearse, to allow mourners gathered in the towns and villages to pay their respects.
On Monday, the coffin will then be taken from Holyroodhouse to St Giles's Cathedral where it will lie at rest until Tuesday 13th September, before being taken by air by RAF plane to London.
The Queen will then lie in state "four clear days" in Westminster Hall, after arriving there on Wednesday 14th September- until 6.30am on the morning of her funeral, according to a senior palace official.
This means that thousands of people will be able to file past to see the late monarch's coffin - further details of how the public can attend will be announced in the coming days.
"The King will carry out all the necessary state duties"
A spokesman for the King said the monarch's main focus will be leading the royal family and nation in mourning over the coming days.
"Whilst, in the next few days, the King will carry out all the necessary state duties, his main focus will be leading the Royal Family, the nation, the Realms and the Commonwealth in mourning Her Majesty The Queen. This will include meeting members of the public, to share in their grief," the spokesman said
Elsewhere today
The Prince of Wales has thanked the late Queen Elizabeth of behalf of his generation for providing service and dignity in public life.
William says it will take some time for the reality of life "without Grannie" will truly feel real.
While, the Cabinet has had an audience with King Charles after he was formally proclaimed monarch in succession to the late Queen.
Meanwhile at Balmoral, Princess Eugenie and her cousin Zara Tindal had to be comforted by other members of the Royal Family.
They were visibly moved to tears after reading messages and floral tributes left by members of the public.
King Charles III has also been proclaimed Canada's Head of State at a ceremony in Ottawa, this afternoon.