These Holidays Change After the Queen’s Death
By Georg Rehberger. Published 19-Sep-2022. Changed 20-Sep-2022
In the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, several holidays and observances have been changed—not just in the United Kingdom. We have compiled a list of changes in countries around the world.
The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom flying next to the Union Jack: Two different symbols of the state.
© iStock.com/rarrarorro
Changes in the United Kingdom
Here’s a list of some of the most important changes in the United Kingdom as well as in countries closely related and bound to the British monarchy. Please note that the list is not complete as the process is ongoing.
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (new)
A bank holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
Queen’s Birthday → King’s Birthday
The observance of the monarch's birthday is celebrated every second Saturday in June. The name is expected to be changed to “King’s Birthday,” but the date may stay the same, since it isn’t the monarch’s actual birthday.
Guernsey
Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
Jersey
Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
Isle of Man
State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
All holidays on the Isle of Man
Changes in the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth of Nations is a collection of 56 sovereign states around the world, most of them former British colonies or dependencies. Here’s how holidays are expected to change in some Commonwealth countries, in alphabetical order:
Antigua and Barbuda
Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
All holidays in Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty the Queen (new)
A national holiday for Thursday, September 22, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
Queen’s Birthday → King’s Birthday
The monarch's birthday is celebrated with a state holiday every second Monday in June (except Western Australia and Queensland). The name has been changed to “King’s Birthday.”
Belize
Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
Bermuda
Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
Canada
Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022, in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Whether employees have a day off depends on their province and the specific regulations of their employer.
Cayman Islands
Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
All holidays in the Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands
Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
All holidays in the Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
New Zealand
Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day (new)
A national holiday for Monday, September 26, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
Queen`s Birthday Weekend → King’s Birthday Weekend
The monarch's birthday is celebrated with a national holiday every first Monday in June. The name has been changed to “King’s Birthday.”
Papua New Guinea
Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Day (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Shops close.
All holidays in Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
National Day of Mourning (new)
A public holiday for Monday, September 12, 2022, followed by two days of official mourning. The Monday is a day off for the public. Shops close. Tuesday and Wednesday are not holidays, shops remain open.
All holidays in the Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
National Day of Mourning (new)
A government holiday for Monday, September 19, 2022.
It is a day off for the public sector and government employees in honor of Her Majesty's funeral. Some shops may have reduced hours.
The Queen's insignia can be found on many things throughout the UK—they will all be changed to reflect the new King’s insignia.
© iStockphoto.com/stocknshares
Why Do Holidays Change?
The UK is a constitutional monarchy, led by a King or Queen as the head of state. The monarch represents the country—his or her name and face are symbols of the state—used on the country’s currency (bank notes and coins), post boxes, and flags.
As a symbol of the state, the Queen’s birthday was a national holiday and the milestones of her reign became public celebrations, like the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee marking her 60th year on the throne. When the monarch dies, many symbols of the state die with him or her. Official signs, stamps, and postboxes have to be changed, and likewise some holidays and observances.
Please note that the lists in this article are not complete. The process of changing and introducing new holidays with the change of the UK’s monarch is ongoing. You can find an up-to-date list of our holidays here.