UK to hold minute’s silence for the Queen on Sunday

A minute’s silence will be observed across the UK on Sunday in memory of the Queen, Downing Street has announced.

The moment will be marked at 8pm on the night before the Queen’s state funeral, Liz Truss’s official spokesperson said.

He added that Britons will be invited to come together to “mourn and reflect on the life and legacy” of the Queen during this time.

“At 8pm on Sunday 18 September, the night before the state funeral, there will be a one-minute silence where the public are invited to come together and observe a national moment of reflection to mourn and reflect on the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II,” the prime minister’s official spokesperson said.

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“The silence can be marked privately at home on your own or with friends and neighbours, out on your doorstep or street with neighbours, or at any locally arranged community events and vigils.

“We encourage local community groups, clubs and other organisations to mark this moment of reflection. And if you are overseas, people are encouraged to mark the silence at their local time.

“The shared national moment of reflection is an opportunity for everyone across the UK to mark the death of Her Majesty and we will set out details of where the prime minister will mark it closer to that time.”

Over the weekend, it was confirmed the funeral of the Queen will take place at 11am on Monday 19 September at Westminster Abbey.

The day of the funeral will be a bank holiday.

Today, after the King and Queen Consort have attended a service of prayer and reflection for the life of the Queen at St Giles’ Cathedral, mourners in Scotland will be invited to visit her coffin.

Mourners will be able to view the Queen’s coffin from 5pm, with a queuing system in place and strict security checks and restrictions on mobile phones. Photography and recording is strictly prohibited.

Members of the public who wish to pay their respects have been warned they face long waits due to the anticipated demand.

The Queen’s coffin will then move to London, arriving at the Palace of Westminster at 3pm on Wednesday where the Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct a short service.

The Queen’s lying in state will then begin in Westminster Hall and last for four full days.

More than 300,000 people visited King George VI lying in state in Westminster Hall in 1952, while 200,000 saw the Queen Mother’s coffin in 2002.

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But security staff are expecting many more people to arrive to pay their respects this time around.

Downing Street said on Monday that first aid and toilets will be provided for those queueing but there are no plans for food to be available.

A total of 1,500 military personnel will also be on hand to assist with proceedings, including managing the queue.

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The government has warned those who wish to attend that they are likely to “be required to queue for many hours” and that they should only bring small bags with them.

The public will be able to file past the coffin 24 hours a day from 5pm on Wednesday 14 September until 6.30am on the day of the funeral – Monday 19 September.