Sunday 11 September 2022 05:04 PM What happens on day of the Queen's funeral? Q&A ahead of national mourning on ... trends now

Britain has received an additional Bank Holiday to honour the Queen on the day of her funeral.

New King Charles III formally approved an order declaring Monday, September 19 as a holiday at  St James's Palace in London on Saturday.

The Queen's funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey at 11am.

The unexpected holiday has Britons questioning what that means for them and their families. Can you legally take the day off of work? Will schools be closed?

September 19 marks the tenth Bank Holiday this year. An additional one had previously been added in commemoration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Usually, the UK has eight Bank Holidays per year. 

Am I legally entitled to a day off work?

While the King has declared his mother's state funeral as a Bank Holiday, there is no legal requirement for employers to give staff the day off.

The government, in its online announcement, says the 'bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays.' 

This mean there is 'no statutory entitlement' to time off but employers may include the day as part of a worker's leave entitlement.

'The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers,' the announcement states.

'However, we would expect that many workers will be able to take the day off on the bank holiday. We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work.'

Officials say the holiday will allow residents, businesses and other organisation to 'pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.'

Can I claim a day in-lieu, if I have to work?

Employers may offer staff another day's holiday if they are required to work. However, the government has not issued guidance on this.

Days in-lieu are determined on a by-company basis and are a matter of discussion between staff and their employers. 

If I work, will I be paid extra? 

The government says staff should discuss additional pay with their employers.

'There are no statutory rules regarding extra pay on bank holidays,' the government's announcement notes. 

Will schools be closed?

Schools will be closed on September 19 so that staff and students can mourn the death of Her Majesty. 

The government's memo specifically states: 'We are not asking schools to remain open on the day of the bank holiday.'

Some schools may opt to remain open in a limited capacity, in effort to look after children while their parents are at work.

However, the government does not require this. It would likely be an individual decision made by each school.

Will shops and restaurants close?

Shops and other customer facing businesses will likely remain open during the 10-day mourning period.

Some may choose to close on the day of the funeral, especially if they are located close to the processional route.

But official government guidance states: 'There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the national mourning period.'

Britons are encouraged to contact businesses directly for information about closures. 

Will Royal Mail still deliver my post?

The Royal Mail will suspend post delivery on the day of the funeral as a mark of respect for the Queen. 

'We want to make our customers aware that services will be suspended on the day of the funeral as people come together to honour Her Majesty, after 70 years of exemplary service to the nation and the Commonwealth,' Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson said in a statement.

He noted the organisation is 'proud' to be

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