Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral: how long will bells toll for Queen at Westminster Abbey? Why is it 96 minutes?

Church bells will ring out at Westminster Abbey in memory of the Queen.

Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place on Monday (19 September)

The tenor bells at Westminster Abbey will ring out for 96 minutes - one for each year of the Queen’s life - before the service begins at 11am.

Queen Elizabeth II, 96, died at Balmoral Castle last Thursday (8 September), it was announced by Buckingham Palace.

The Queen was the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, serving as head of state for more than 70 years.

The Prince of Wales is now King, having acceded to the throne immediately on the death of his mother.

In a statement, the Palace said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

The Queen dedicated her life to her royal duty.

The country has entered a state of mourning following the death of Elizabeth II.

When and where will bells toll for the Queen?

The tenor bells at Westminster Abbey will toll in the run up to the Queen’s state funeral.

How many times will the bells toll?

The bells at Westminster Abbey will ring out every minute for 96 minutes in the run up to the Queen’s funeral.

The state funeral is scheduled to begin at 11am.

The bells will toll for 96 minutes prior to the Queen’s funeral - so from around 9.20am.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte will attend the Queen’s state funeral, the order of service has shown.

The nine-year-old future king and his seven-year-old sister will gather with 2,000 people in Westminster Abbey to remember their late great-grandmother on Monday, as millions watch the televised service across the globe.

The young royals will walk through the gothic church with the royal family, in procession behind the Queen’s coffin as it is carried by the military bearer party.

How long is mourning period for the Queen?

There will be a 12-day mourning period for the Queen in the UK.

Flags are being flown at half-mast and books of condolence have been opened for people to pay their respects.

As the Queen died in Balmoral, her body lat in rest in Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, before being carried up the Royal Mile to St. Giles’s Cathedral.

She was then returned to London and spent four days lying in rest at Westminster Hall.

Her coffin will be taken to Westminster Abbey for her state funeral at 11am on Monday.

What is the timeline of the Queen’s mourning period?

According to Politico, each of these 12 days following the Queen’s death are known as ‘D-Days’ with events taking place to commemorate the late monarch and enact plans for Prince Charles’s accession as King.

What events are cancelled?

As a mark of respect some events and activities will be cancelled until after the Queen’s funeral.

The BBC will suspend all standard programming and offer coverage of the event.

Shops will close or will operate under reduced opening hours on the day of the Queen’s funeral, whilst all comedy events will be cancelled during the national mourning period.