What happens next following Queen Elizabeth II's death - from mourning periods to funeral plans

Following the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II's death, many people across the UK and around the world are taking time to mourn the loss of the only monarch they've ever known.

• Queen Elizabeth II died aged 96, at Balmoral Castle, on Thursday September 8th.
• As people around the world pay tribute to Her Majesty, information regarding her funeral and what happens next is beginning to emerge.
• In other royal news, The Queen's monumental life in pictures, from her Westminster wedding to her Platinum Jubilee.

As the United Kingdom and people around the world come to terms with the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, plans are already in motion for Her Majesty's funeral, and King Charles was formally proclaimed king during a historic ceremony at St. James's Palace that was televised for the first time ever on Saturday September 10th. 

While there are many changes to come to terms with following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Family and the UK will first observe a 10 day mourning period until the date of Her Majesty's funeral, which has now been confirmed as Monday 19th September and will take place at Westminster Abbey. 

How many days of mourning is there following the Queen's death?

There are officially 10 days of national mourning that will begin on Friday, September 9, 2022. 

What will follow will be a series of arrangements, both public and private, that will commemorate the Queen's life and reign.

The flags at royal residences will fly at half mast, and across the nation, tributes will be made and services will be held - as will military honors. This included, on Friday afternoon, a gun salute in London's Hyde Park - with one round fired for every year of Her Majesty's life and a remembrance service at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday, which was attended by the prime minister and other senior ministers.

What is Operation Unicorn?

As the Queen died in her beloved Balmoral Castle in Scotland, 'Operation Unicorn' came into force. According to the Guardian (opens in new tab), this is a contingency plan that was set in stone in case the Queen died in Scotland.

The Queen's coffin is currently in the Ballroom at Balmoral Castle, but on Sunday 11th September it will be taken to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh before a procession will see Her Majesty's coffin taken to lie in St Giles’ cathedral on Monday, September 12th, allowing close family members to pay their respects. It's believed that the King and Queen Consort will return to Scotland for this somber occasion.

The following day the Queen's coffin will be flown to London.

When and where will the Queen's funeral happen?

The Queen's state funeral will take place 10 days after her passing, and the date of Her Majesty's funeral has been confirmed as Monday, September 19, 2022. 

There will be a public holiday on the day of the funeral in the United Kingdom so that all those who wish to can pay their respects to the late Queen.

Her Majesty will lie in state at Westminster Hall before the funeral which will be at 11am on September 19th at Westminster Abbey, allowing members of the public to pay their respects to the Queen should they wish to, ahead of the funeral.

Where will the Queen be buried?

Following the funeral at Westminster Abbey, Her Majesty will be taken to Windsor Castle and to her final resting place, which will be in St George’s Chapel. Queen Elizabeth II will be buried alongside her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, her beloved parents and her sister, Princess Margaret.

Who made the speech announcing the Queen's death?

The sad news of The Queen's passing was first announced on BBC News, following confirmation from Buckingham Palace. After this, the UK's prime minister Liz Truss made an official speech outside of 10 Downing Street and King Charles III made a statement on behalf of the Royal Family.