Un deserved tribute. King Charles IIIHe has declared a bank holiday for the day his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to repose.
The 73-year-old made the proclamation — one of his first as the new monarch — on Saturday, September 10, during his meeting with the Ascension Council. As the ceremony went on, Charles approved two drafts of statements “appointing the day of Her Late Majesty’s state funeral as a bank holiday” across the United Kingdom.
Bank holidays such as New Year’s Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day occur in the U.K. when declared by royal proclamation or held by convention under common law. Businesses typically close for such celebrations, which is how the phrase “bank holiday” was coined.
King Charles III Jane Barlow/WPA Pool/Shutterstock
Elizabeth died at age 96 on Thursday, September 8, and her state funeral will be held on Monday, September 19, after the country’s mourning period ends. It will be the first state funeral in the U.K. since Winston Churchill’s in 1965. The late queen’s father, King George VI, was the last sovereign to receive the honor in 1952. (Prince Philip didn’t have a state funeral following his death in April 2021. This is because this tradition is usually reserved only for monarchs.
Following his mother’s death, Charles immediately assumed the throne. The official date for Charles’ coronation has not yet been determined.
The nation was addressed by the former Prince Of Wales on Friday, September 9th. “Wherever you may live in the United Kingdom or in the realms and territories across the world and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect, and love as I have throughout my life,” he stated from London. “My life will, of course, change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will not be possible for me anymore to give so much time and energy to the charities or issues that I care so deeply about. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.”
Charles, his eldest child, announced at the time that he was going to be a father. Prince WilliamAs the first in line to the throne, he would inherit the title Prince of Wales. Princess Kate was officially given the late Princess Diana‘s title, Princess of Wales. Charles also expressed his love to someone else in his speech. Prince Harry Meghan Markle, who resigned from their senior royal duties for 2020.
While speaking in front of the Ascension Council on Saturday, the king continued to mourn the “most sorrowful” loss of his mother. “I know how deeply you, the entire nation — and I think I may say the whole world — sympathize with me in the irreparable loss we have all suffered,” he said. “It is the greatest consolation to me to know of the sympathy expressed by so many to my sister, [Princess Anne]My brothers and I, [Prince Andrew and Prince Edward], and that such overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family in our loss.”
His Majesty continued: “My mother’s reign was unequaled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion. We grieve but we are grateful for this most faithful and loving life. I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me.”
Charles and his siblings later arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, to follow Elizabeth’s coffin on its way to St Giles’ Cathedral before it gets flown back to London. They walked in line behind Charles and his wife, following the hearse. CamillaThe U.K.’s Queen Consort, meanwhile, continued their tour through Northern Ireland.
