The death of Queen Elizabeth II who ruled for over 70 years has plunged Britain into a state of mourning that will last until after her funeral on Monday, September 19. The day has been declared a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Millions of people will be looking forward to witnessing the masterfully orchestrated and detailed historical event. Not everyone can make it to Westminster Abbey to pay their last respect. Thankfully, there will be televised versions of the ceremony for people to partake in from the comfort of their homes.
How to watch the ceremony
According to metro.co.uk, two major aspects of the funeral – the state funeral and committal service – will be televised to the public. However, the interment service will only be observed by senior members of the royal family at St George’s Chapel.
The state broadcaster, the BBC will air the funeral on BBC One and BBC News. It will also be streamed on BBC iPlayer. What is yet to be announced are the coverage timings – the ceremony is expected to commence at 11 am, local time.
Apart from the BBC, it is unclear what other media houses will broadcast the event, although there’s a high likelihood ITV might air it as well as other major news channels like Sky News.
During this mourning period, most media outlets have shelved regular programming to dedicate time and airspace to covering the funeral.
Disruption in service
The government has warned the public to be aware of expected disruptions in some services such transportation, especially delays in public transport. This is due to the anticipated crowds that will gather at Buckingham Palace before and during the ceremony. In a statement, the government also cautioned about public safety risks during this period.
We recognise that many people will travel to Buckingham Palace and other Royal Residences as a mark of their respect. We expect large crowds, which can pose risks to public safety. Those who do travel are asked to follow any instructions given to them by stewards and the police.
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