UK gets an extra Bank Holiday to mark funeral next Monday

BRITAIN will be given an extra Bank Holi- day to mark the day of the Queen’s funeral, which it has been confirmed will take place next Monday.

In one of his first acts as monarch, King Charles approved an order to make September 19 a public holiday during a meeting of the Accession Council where he was formally declared head of state.

The Queen is believed to have approved the move as part of the Operation London Bridge protocol for her death.

Schools and shops will be closed, postal services suspended and most of the country given the day off to allow the nation to honour the end of the Queen’s 70-year reign. Millions are expected to spend the day following coverage of the funeral at Westminster Abbey.

While there is no statutory entitlement for time off, employers were urged to ‘respond sensitively’ if staff wished to take the day off to watch the funeral.

A spokesman for the Government said: ‘The bank holiday will be a unique national moment, and we would encourage employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers.’