Since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, Australia has been in deep grief.
The procedures for how the Commonwealth leaders will commemorate the passing of the Queen are well-established. Canberra will halt parliament for 15 days, which will result in four days of missed sessions for senators and representatives.
The governor-general and Anthony Albanese are scheduled to visit London in the coming days to see King Charles and express their condolences. Flags have been lowered to half-mast.
Although there won’t be a formal period of mourning in Australia, the day of the memorial ceremony will be designated as a National Day of Mourning by the prime minister, presumably making it a holiday.
After the state funeral in Britain, an Anglican cathedral will be confirmed for the Australian memorial service.
Anthony Albanese (pictured with Jodie Haydon) and the governor-general will depart for the UK with their partners for the Queen’s funeral
The Australian memorial service will be held at a yet-to-be confirmed Anglican cathedral after the state funeral in Britain. A 96-gun salute will be held at Parliament at dusk and wreaths will be laid at the Queen’s Terrace at Parliament House tomorrow
The PM and governor-general will have an audience with Charles before attending the Lying in State at Westminster Hall
A 96-gun salute will be held at Parliament at dusk and wreaths will be laid at the Queen’s Terrace at Parliament House tomorrow.
In Australia, the same proclamation will be made at Parliament House by the governor-general, before a 21 gun salute.
After the proclamation, Mr Albanese and the governor-general will depart for the UK with their partners.
Two days later, the PM and governor-general will have an audience with King Charles III before attending the Lying in State at Westminster Hall.
After that there’ll be an evening reception with the King and other international heads of state.
On the next day, the Queen’s funeral will be held, followed by a reception.
Speaker Milton Dick, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Sue Lines sign the condolence book at Parliament House in Canberra
The state funeral is expected take place at Westminster Abbey in central London on Monday, September 19, which will be attended by her bereft family as well as 2,000 heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, European royals and key figures from public life around the globe.
Her funeral will take place 10 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.
The Queen’s death comes after a historic 70-year reign
There will be four official Australian mourners – the Prime Minister, his partner, the governor-general David Hurley and his wife Linda Hurley.
A further 10 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.
A day later, the flags will go back up and the PM and governor-general will return to Australia.
The national service will then take place, attended by all of Parliament, as well as former ministers, former PMs and governor-generals and ambassadors.
Mr Albanese said the 15-day suspension of federal parliament is ‘out of respect’ for the Queen but the business of government will continue to function.
Charles, who will reign as King Charles III, said after the Queen’s death was announced: ‘The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
‘We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
‘During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.’