Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday.
This will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.
This bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays, and there is no statutory entitlement to time off. Employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.
The bank holiday will take place across the United Kingdom.
On the morning of Monday 19 September, the lying-in-state will end and the coffin will be taken in procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, where the state funeral service will take place.
Following the funeral the coffin will travel in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the coffin will travel to Windsor and once there, the state hearse will travel in procession to St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle via the Long Walk. A committal service will then take place in St George’s Chapel.
The government has confirmed that the bank holiday to mark the state funeral of the Queen, will operate in the same was as others, meaning employees will not have a statutory entitlement to time off, and employers can deduct the day’s leave from annual holiday entitlement.
The bank holiday will be a unique national moment, and the government is encouraging employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off.
Does this bank holiday mean individuals can have the day off work?
This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer. There is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.
The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers. However, we would expect that many workers will be able to take the day off on the bank holiday. We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work.
Some employment contracts ask individuals to work some Saturdays/bank holidays. Can these individuals take this bank holiday off work?
This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer.
If an individual will have to work on the day of the funeral – can they take an additional day’s holiday another day?
This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer.
If an individual will have work on the day of the funeral – will they be paid extra?
This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer. There are no statutory rules regarding extra pay on bank holidays.
If an individual has annual leave booked for the day of the funeral – will they be able to reclaim this leave?
This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer.
Will this bank holiday apply everywhere in the UK?
Yes, this bank holiday will apply in all parts of the UK.
Is this an official bank holiday, or does it have a special status?
This bank holiday is official and applies in the same way as all others.
Will there be a bank holiday for the Coronation?
No decision has yet been made. A decision will be made nearer the time.
Will the bank holiday to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral be an annual holiday?
There are currently no plans for an annual holiday.
