British royal family mourning period to end seven days after Queen’s funeral

Britain’s royal family will observe a period of mourning that ends on the seventh day after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, with flags at royal residences remaining at half-mast.

The Queen passed away on Thursday at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland at the age of 96.

“Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral,” said a statement.

A gun salute will be fired in London at 1 p.m. (12:00 GMT) in Hyde Park, with one round fired for each year of the 96-year-old Queen’s life, Buckingham Palace said on Friday.

The palace did not say when the funeral would be held, but it is likely to take place around 11 days after the Queen’s death on Thursday.

Buckingham Palace said flags at royal residences would remain at half-mast until the morning after the mourning period and that royal residences would remain closed, although floral tributes could be left outside.

Britain’s King Charles to address a nation in mourning

Britain’s King Charles will address a nation in mourning on Friday.

Charles, who raced to be by the side of the Queen before she passed away was due to travel back to London with his wife Camilla, now Queen Consort, before meeting the Prime Minister and making a televised statement.

The death of the Queen and a towering presence on the world stage for seven decades, has drawn condolences from around the world.

Video: The world mourns the Queen, Laura Makin Isherwood updates on the latest