LONDON (AP) — The death of Queen Elizabeth II has triggered a series of carefully structured ceremonial and constitutional steps, as Britain undergoes a period of national mourning and heralds the reign of King Charles III.
Here is a look at what will happen in the coming days.
Friday, September 9
- King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, travel from Balmoral Castle in Scotland to London.
- Noon local time (1100GMT) - Church bells ring at Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and cross the country in honor of the queen.
- Noon - Parliament holds a special session so lawmakers can pay tribute to the queen.
- 1 p.m. - Gun salutes are fired in London’s Hyde Park and at military sites around the country, one round for reach of the 96 years of the queen’s life.
- Afternoon - The king meets with Prime Minister Liz Truss.
- 6 p.m. - The king makes a televised address to the nation.
- 6 p.m. - A service of remembrance is held at St. Paul’s Cathedral for the queen.
Saturday, September 10
- Charles meets at St. James’s Palace with a group of senior officials known as the Accession Council and is officially proclaimed king.
- Parliament holds a second day of tributes to the queen.
Subsequent days:
- The queen’s body is moved from Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands to Edinburgh, and then to London.
- She will lie in state for several days in Parliament’s Westminster Hall, where the public will be able to pay their respects.
- A state funeral at Westminster Abbey is due to be attended by leaders and dignitaries from around the world.
- The period of national mourning will end the day after the queen’s funeral.
© Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.