UK: Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral to be held in London Sept. 19 /update 3

Event

Queen Elizabeth's state funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey in London Sept. 19; the day has been declared a public holiday. Numerous foreign dignitaries and heads of state, including US President Joe Biden, will attend the gathering.

The queen's coffin is currently lying in state at Parliament in Westminster. A funeral procession from Parliament to Westminster Abbey will commence at 10:30. Following the funeral, UK Foreign Minister James Cleverly will host a reception for guests at the nearby Church House on Great Smith Street, while the queen's coffin travels in procession to Wellington Arch, from where it will be transported to Windsor for the burial service. Large crowds are reported along Queen's Gardens, The Mall, Horse Guards and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square, New Palace Yard, Abingdon Street, Millbank, Westminster Bridge, and Lambeth Bridge.

A major security operation has been implemented ahead of the ceremony; up to 10,000 security officers are deployed in London. Numerous parts of central London are inaccessible to nonresident private vehicles, including Chelsea, South Kensington, Pimlico, Westminster, Belgravia, and Millbank. A number of major roads and bridges have also been closed, including the M4, A40 and A30 in west London, as well as Victoria Embankment, London Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, Chelsea Bridge, Albert Bridge, and Battersea Bridge. Police have advised against driving into the city center Sept. 19. Significant public transport disruptions, including service diversions and cancellations, are in effect. The Westminster, St James’s Park and Hyde Park Corner London Underground stations will be closed during through at least the morning to avoid overcrowding. Transport authorities have warned of extreme congestion on available services as 1-2 million mourners are expected to travel to central London to attend the funeral.

Heathrow Airport (LHR) has altered approximately 15 percent of its flight schedule to reduce noise during the queen's funeral; around 100 British Airways flights and four Virgin Atlantic flights have been canceled.

Other types of both formal and spontaneous public gatherings are likely across the UK. Crowds will likely continue to gather outside Royal residences, including Buckingham, St. James, and Kensington palaces. Such events will probably cause localized traffic congestion, but severe disruptions are unlikely. Some businesses may close for varying lengths of time out of respect for the late sovereign.

Some public events not associated with mourning the queen's passing will likely be canceled. Medical facilities, police, national defense assets, and emergency services will continue to operate, though some services may be reduced. Protests denouncing the monarchy remain possible over the coming days; however, these are likely to be small and minimally disruptive.

Advice

Plan accordingly for business and transport disruptions. Verify business appointments through mid-September, as cancellations are possible. Confirm all travel reservations, including flight, rail, bus, and private vehicles, before checking out of hotels. Follow local travel and security advice in London and other major urban centers during this period.