British Mourners Have Strict Rules To Follow If They Want To Leave Flowers For The Queen
In light of Queen Elizabeth II's death at 96, Reuters reports, the United Kingdom has entered a period of mourning which, as the Independent writes, is expected to last for 10 days. Currently, the queen's body remains in Scotland. In the coming days, she will be moved to Westminster Hall in London until her funeral, which will take place at Westminster Abbey. NPR notes that a date for the funeral has not been announced. However, the public will be able to pay their respects at Westminster Hall where she will lie in state for three days, 23 hours a day.
But of course, it's not just the British who are mourning her death. Another article from Reuters states that France, Italy, Germany, and the United States have displayed public tributes to the queen. The New York Post writes that mourners are making their way to Buckingham Palace in droves to say goodbye. London tour guide Nicholas Player told CNN why it was significant for him to visit the royal residence. He said, "She's the grandmother of the nation, really ... She's a part of everyone's lives." That said, The New York Times explains, the nation has various plans underway for mourning the queen.
This is how the nation will pay tribute to the queen in the next few days
Sky News reports that there will likely be several events to honor the queen. On the first day after her death, the queen was given a 96-round salute in London's Hyde Park, to commemorate each year of her life. According to The New York Times, flags at royal residences, which are currently at half-mast since her death, will remain in that position until the mourning period is over. All royal residences will also be closed. Per NPR, Parliament will take a moment of silence for the queen before paying tribute to her. Mourners will be able to pay their respects to the queen at St. Paul's Cathedral, where there will be 2,000 seats available for the public.
NBC News explains that the next 10 days will be jam-packed with mourning rituals for both the royal family and the public until the queen is laid to rest. In the meanwhile, Reuters states, people are paying their respects by leaving flowers for the queen at Buckingham Palace. One individual who did this noted, "After all her service, not just to her country but to the world, it seemed like a small service I could do in return" (via Town & Country). The BBC writes that mourners are also placing flowers at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the queen died.
There are dedicated sites for flowers
NBC News writes that flowers and tributes that are being placed at Buckingham Palace and other royal residences will be moved. Per the Richmond and Twickenham Times, mourners have been told to place flowers, candles, and anything else paying tribute to the queen at Green Park or Hyde Park. If placed at the gates of Buckingham Palace, these items will eventually be moved to these locations. For reasons not listed, flowers can be left at the main gates of Balmoral castle. However, these are not the only places where mourners are leaving floral tributes for the queen.
The New York Times reports other sites where tributes are being left include Windsor Castle, Sandringham Estate, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Hillsborough Castle. Flowers can be left at Windsor Castle at Cambridge gate. These will then be taken in each evening and placed near St. George's chapel. Mourners can leave flowers at Sandringham Estate at the Norwich gates. According to the Richmond and Twickenham Times, wardens will take the flowers left at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and lay them out in a grassy area close to the Palace's north turret. As for Hillsborough Castle, the flowers can also be left at the main gates. All other information regarding floral tributes will be released by the Cabinet Office.