Brits have been given two extra bank holidays in 2022 due to the Queen’s life and rule.
The first was the joyous celebration of her 70 years on the throne during the Platinum Jubilee festivities, with the public given Thursday June 2 and Friday June 3 off to make it a long four-day weekend of parties.
But the next bank holiday has been granted for much sadder reasons, marking the funeral of the UK’s longest serving monarch.
The two events are tragically only three months apart.
It was announced 24 hours after her death that Monday September 19 would be a national holiday, giving the majority of the population the chance to watch the funeral service and mourn the Queen's passing.
Will the Queen’s funeral bank holiday happen every year?
Some might regard it as a fitting tribute to have the Queen’s funeral off every year to commemorate her life.
However, it is likely to be just a one-off to allow the country to mark the solemn occasion.
The Gov.uk website states: “There are currently no plans for an annual holiday.”
The Queen’s funeral will start at 11am, with the service held at Westminster Abbey before her body is taken to Windsor for burial.
Her final resting place will be her family’s King George VI Memorial chapel, situated in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The Government, announcing the bank holiday, said: “Monday September 19, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral, will be a national bank holiday.
“This will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.
“This bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays, and there is no statutory entitlement to time off.
"Employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.
“The bank holiday will take place across the United Kingdom.”
Unprecedented day off for the UK
There was no bank holiday declared when the Queens' father, King George VI died.
His funeral was held at Windsor on February 15, 1952.
The Gov.uk website states: “No, King George VI’s funeral was not a bank holiday.
“But the government wants to help give as many people as possible the opportunity on the day of the state funeral to mark Her Majesty’s passing and commemorate her reign.”
It appears ministers want a day dedicated to the Queen following her lengthy service as sovereign.
Will there be a day off for King Charles' coronation?
There are already calls for King Charles III’s coronation to be treated in a similar way as his mother's funeral, with the public granted a day off to watch the historic event.
There has not been a coronation for almost 70 years due to Elizabeth II's long reign.
The UK Government said no decision had been made on whether to declare the coronation a bank holiday, with any final ruling to “be made nearer the time”.
Elizabeth II, while appointed Queen upon the death of her father, was not coronated for a year.
