The Queen's funeral: What to expect and look out for in London

With many describing the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September as the end of an era, life in the city is set to undergo several changes. Read on to find out how the monarch’s passing is likely to affect everyday life in the capital in the immediate future.

• Already starting on the day of the Queen’s passing, mourners began leaving tributes and flowers in front of Buckingham Palace. There are now dedicated sites in Green Park and Hyde Park where you can pay your respects.
• During the official mourning period following the Queen’s passing, an array of official events is set to take place, as dictated by protocol. In addition to gun salutes, a national minutes’ silence and official proclamations, the Queen’s coffin will be borne from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for four days of lying-in-state, during which the public can pay their respects by filing past the coffin. The lying-in-state is set to begin on 15 September. 
• Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey on 19 September. The funeral procession will travel from Westminster Abbey to Hyde Park and then onwards to Windsor Castle, with massive crowds expected both along the way and watching the live broadcast in Royal Parks.

• In addition to numerous foreign dignitaries making their way to London for the funeral, spiking airline fees and hotel bookings are already indicating people will be coming from all over the world to say their final goodbyes. Prepare for London to be extra crowded over the coming period, with extra strain placed on the transport network and other basic services. There are also likely to be road and station closures due to the proceedings, so plan any travel carefully.
• The rail strikes planned for 15 and 17 September have been called off out of respect for the monarch and will not be contributing to the pressure on the transport system.
• The day of the Queen’s funeral, 19 September, has been declared a bank holiday. Schools will be closed and many shops and other businesses will follow suit. Both public and private sector employers are expected to be flexible and give upset employees the day off if needed. If you plan on visiting any business during this time, it’s therefore advisable to check opening times in advance.
• Various cultural and sporting events have or will be cancelled out of respect, certain clubs and other venues have closed, and Royal Collection Trust sites such as Windsor Castle and the State Rooms will be off-limits to the public during this time. Again, if you have made any plans that fall into the mourning period, best to check whether they’re still going on as scheduled.
• Government offices and websites will be pausing announcements, press releases and visits during the mourning period. Any important information will be communicated on the gov.uk website.

This article will be updated with relevant information as it is made known.