The night before Queen Elizabeth II State Funeral at Westminster Abbey in London, the UK will observe a minute of silence at 8 p.m. local time on Sunday, Downing Street announced on Monday.
The one-minute silence will be an opportunity for the country to unite in mourning and reflection on the life of the late monarch, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, according to a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Local community organizations and clubs are urged to plan solemn activities to observe the minute of quiet. The public is welcome to gather and observe a national moment of reflection to grieve and reflect on the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II at 8 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, the evening before the State Funeral, according to a Downing Street official.
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The quiet may be observed in private at home by oneself or with friends and neighbours, outside on one’s doorstep or in the street with neighbours, or at any vigils and events organised locally. The spokeswoman said, “We encourage neighbourhood clubs, community groups, and other organisations to observe this time of reflection.
British citizens living abroad are asked to observe a moment of quiet on Sunday at their local time. The statement continued, “The shared national moment of reflection is an opportunity for everyone in the UK to honour Her Majesty’s passing, and we will outline specifics of where the Prime Minister will observe it closer to that time.
The Queen’s funeral, which will include full state honors, will break with convention by taking place at Westminster Abbey rather than St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, Berkshire, according to plans made public by Buckingham Palace.
Every English monarch before the Queen has been crowned there since William I in 1066, and the coronation of the Queen took place there in 1953. Since various world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, are anticipated to attend the event, it is thought that the venue’s bigger capacity of about 2,000 was the deciding factor.
Tuesday will see the arrival of the Queen’s coffin from Edinburgh, which will spend the night in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace before being brought in procession to Westminster Hall for lying-in-state. Up to the funeral at 11 a.m. local time on Monday, members of the public will be permitted to pass by the coffin to pay their respects.
In order to allow people to participate in the broadcast service, King Charles III has declared next Monday an official bank holiday for the State Funeral. Schools and offices will also be closed on that day.
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The King George VI memorial chapel at Windsor Castle, an extension to the main St. George’s Chapel where her mother and father were interred along with the ashes of her younger sister, Princess Margaret, will serve as the Queen’s last resting place.
