Monday 12 April 2021
Following the announcement on 9 April of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a period of National Mourning has started that will conclude on 18 April, the morning after his Funeral service.
During this period of National Mourning there is no requirement for events or services to stop. Sporting fixtures and other events can continue to take place, at the discretion of the organisers, but organisers may wish to consider using black armbands or observing a silence before events commence. Organisers may wish to give particular consideration to any events scheduled to take place on the day and at the time of the Funeral of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
A national one minute's silence will take place across the UK at 15:00 on 17 April at the start of the Funeral of His Royal Highness and the Bailiff commends the observation of this national silence locally also to honour the memory of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
There is no expectation for businesses to close during the mourning period unless they wish to. This is a decision for individual organisations. Businesses may wish to make arrangements for observing the national one minute's silence at 15.00 on the day of the Funeral.
Union flags were half-masted on 9 April and will remain half-masted until 08.00 on 18 April, the day after the Funeral.
All public services and any services involved in the Government response to COVID-19 will continue as usual throughout the mourning period. This will include continuing to provide essential information to the public, however any non-essential information due for release will be published after the mourning period has concluded.
