Australians will get a day off as a public holiday on Thursday, September 22, to mark the Queen’s death.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has just announced the one-off National Day of Mourning after consultations with state and territory leaders.
“It will be a one-off national public holiday to allow people to pay their respects for the passing of Queen Elizabeth,’ the Prime Minister, a known republican, told the ABC.
A national memorial service will be held in Canberra on this day.
The official funeral for the Queen takes place in the UK on Monday, September 19 – and will be held at Westminster Abbey.
The PM is flying to the UK later this week with the Governor-General to attend the London event but will be flying back to Australia in time for the National Day of Mourning memorial in Canberra.
The Queen died on September 8, 2022.
(Image: Getty)In Australia today, the Governor-General David Hurley will officially proclaim King Charles III’s ascension to the throne.
The proclamation will be followed by a 21-gun salute with state governors to make their own proclamations at ceremonies around the country.
The new King has already given his first speech as monarch, remembering his late mother with admiration and love as he begins his reign as king.
“In a little over a week’s time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest,” he said in reference to her upcoming funeral.
“In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example. On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express,” Charles continued.
“And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.
“Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.”
