Yesterday – September 8, 2022 – marks an incredibly sad day in British history as our longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away.
The Queen had been on the throne for 70 years and only recently celebrated her platinum jubilee with a series of summer events.
News began to circulate on Thursday afternoon that doctors were concerned about her health. The Queen’s family were soon travelling to Balmoral and, a few hours later, her death was announced to the nation.
What happens after the Queen dies?
The UK is now in an official state of mourning, which is set to last for 12 days. During that time, some sporting events will be cancelled and normal programming on many television channels will be suspended. The royal family will also wear black as they grieve their matriarch.
At some point in the next few days, details of the Queen’s funeral will be announced. It is expected to take place at some point in the next two weeks.
This is something that most of us have never experienced in our lifetimes. The Queen has been a constant for decades and for generations. Through so much change in our country, she has remained present and steadfast.
Students across the country will have grown up with the Queen as their head of state. Whatever your opinions on the royal family, we are set for a big change as King Charles III takes to the throne for the first time.
What happens at universities after the Queen’s death?
For now, Universities will remain open, and lectures and seminars will continue as normal. However, there will be a bank holiday on the day of the Queen’s funeral. That means that, provided the funeral takes place on a weekday, there will be an additional bank holiday and universities will close for the day.
As with all bank holidays, there will be no teaching on the day of the Queen’s funeral and students will not be expected in.
This will also be the case for schools, with pupils having the day off if the funeral falls between Monday and Friday. If, however, the funeral takes place at the weekend, the UK will not have an additional day off to mourn.
Will universities close for the funeral and the period of mourning?
Yes, universities will close to teaching for the Queen’s funeral. While universities will halt teaching on that day, it is up to each individual institution if they will close for any or all of the initial period of mourning. There is no obligation to do so, and it is expected that most will remain open for much of the next two weeks.
Given the historic nature of yesterday’s announcement, universities across the land are likely to host a number of events to commemorate the Queen.
While teaching will not take place on the day of the Queen’s funeral, some areas may well remain open to ensure students can continue to work if required. These may include libraries and students should check with their individual campuses if they wish to use equipment on the day of the funeral.
This is a very strange time for the nation and, off the back of a tough few years, the Queen’s passing adds another sombre note proceedings.
