Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that the country will have a public holiday to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II died Thursday, September 8 at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle, after 70 years on the throne.

The late monarch will be buried on Monday September 19 at Westminster Abbey in London.

His coffin was transported to London from Edinburgh on Tuesday (September 13) and will be carried in a ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday (September 14) to begin laying in state.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Australian bank holiday to mourn the Queen.

What is the public holiday in Australia to mourn the Queen?

Australians will have a public holiday on Thursday, September 22 after the Queen’s funeral.

It will officially be called the National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty The Queen.

Why is Australia taking a public holiday to mourn Queen Elizabeth II?

Until her death, the Queen was Australia’s head of state. The new head of state is King Charles III.

The surprise vacation was first announced by Albanese on Sunday, September 11.

He said at the time: ‘In the weeks to come Australia will continue to commemorate our late Queen.

“I encourage all Australians, everywhere, to pause and reflect on Her Majesty’s extraordinary life of service.”

Why does the Australian bank holiday come after the Queen’s funeral?

According to the Australian broadcaster nine newsthe party is scheduled for when Albanian and Governor General David Hurley returning to Australia from the UKafter attending the Queen’s funeral.

Albanese and Hurley will travel to London on Thursday September 15 and return on Wednesday September 21.

How did Australians react to the news?

Albanese faced backlash from retail and business groups for announcing the holiday on such short notice, with many worried about staff costs and loss of business on the day. .

But the prime minister defended the decision as “adequate” and declared: “This is the first time that we have changed heads of state.

“Australia needs, wants to mourn the contribution of Queen Elizabeth II. A single public holiday is an appropriate response.

Will Australia have the bank holiday again next year?

No, the party to mourn the Queen is a one-time event and will not happen again after this year.

What other countries have declared a public holiday to mourn the Queen?

A handful of other countries where the Queen was head of state have also announced holidays to mourn her death.

On Tuesday 13 September, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the country get a single holiday on Monday (September 26)called “Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day”.

She said a state memorial service for the late monarch will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral, Wellington in the city of Wellington on the same day.

Canada has also announced a national day of mourning that will take place on Monday, September 19, which will be a public holiday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said while the Canadian government is still working out “some details” with provinces and territories, “declaring an occasion for Canadians to mourn on Monday will be important.”

Some Caribbean countries, such as Jamaica, have announced a period of mourning to mark the Queen’s death. However, only the Cayman Islands have declared Monday (September 19), the day of Her Majesty’s funeral, to be a public holiday.

According to local reports, the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands will decide whether a public holiday will be granted to residents in the coming days. antigua too said consider a public holiday to mark the Queen’s passing.

Follow live updates ahead of the Queen’s funeral at Westminster here