A national public holiday is expected to form part of Australia’s commemoration of the Queen’s reign – as a secret plan for the days following her death is enacted.
The code words from Buckingham Palace – ‘London Bridge is down’ – in the wake of Her Majesty’s death, aged 96, in the early hours of Friday morning started at 10-day process of mourning beginning with the naming of Charles III as King.
A series of protocols will now be enacted in Canberra, as it’s understood Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was told news of the Queen’s death an hour before before an official statement was released.
Under the closely guarded secret plans to observe the monarch’s death, it’s understood the Australian Prime Minister’s staff carried a ceremonial black tie for him to wear immediately after he was given the news.
The Queen waits in the Drawing Room before receiving the new British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, at Balmoral, Scotland on Tuesday. By Thursday she was under the supervision of doctors amid concerns about her health
The secret plans that will trigger a series of protocols in Australia – including a new national holiday (pictured, Queen Elizabeth on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 2)
Prince Charles will become Charles III, proclaimed at St James’s Palace and in Australia by the governor-general
The commemoration plans are understood to have been revised since 2017 and were passed to Mr Albanese as the incoming prime minister, The Weekend Australian reported.
The plans include an Australian memorial service to be held at a yet-to-be confirmed Anglican cathedral after a state funeral in Britain.
That day will likely be named an national public holiday in Australia.
Prince Charles will officially become Charles III in a proclaimation in Britain at St James’s Palace.
In Australia, the same proclamation will be made at Parliament House by the monarch’s representative here, the governor-general.
Charles’s new full title will be the elaborate ‘Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth’.
Charles’s wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, will assume the title of queen consort, as confirmed by the Queen earlier this year.
Australia’s official mourners are likely to include Mr Albanese and his girlfriend, Jodie Haydon
Charles’ new full title will be the elaborate ‘Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth’. Camilla Parker Bowles will become queen consort
‘When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me,’ she said.
‘It is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as queen consort as she continues her own loyal service.’
She will not have any authority or title in Australia other than social and diplomatic, but she will be known to the world as Queen Camilla.
A framed notice has been placed on the fence of Buckingham Palace informing the public of the Queen Elizabeth’s death.
The palace floodlights have been extinguished in a poignant but traditional piece of symbolism.
Of most interest to Australians will be the news that a national public holiday is likely to emerge from the Queen’s passing.
But fittingly, news of the holiday will have to wait at least 11 days until the Queen has been farewelled.
Her funeral will take place ten days after her death, with a procession to Westminster Abbey at 11am, a committal at 3.55pm at Windsor Castle and a private burial at the castle at 7pm.
There will be four official Australian mourners – the Prime Minister, his partner, the governor-general David Hurley and his wife Linda Hurley.
Current governor-general David Hurley will be an official mourner at the Queen’s funeral
They will be flown in two RAAF planes that will also collect Pacific leaders to London for the Queen’s funeral.
Mr Albanese will have a ceremonial role for the service in the United Kingdom as well as at home in Australia.
A further ten to 12 notable Australians will be invited to attend the Queen’s funeral.
They are expected to include Indigenous Australians, representatives from charitable, religious, sporting and community organisations.
Flags will be flown at half-mast in the UK and Australia for ten days and bells will be rung in churches across Australia.
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