The Queen: What the period of mourning means for agriculture

The passing of the Queen, aged 96, marks the beginning of Operation London Bridge, the codename for a detailed plan of action that will lead to her funeral and national mourning.

Following the death of Her Majesty on 8 September, the crown has now passed to her eldest son, who has become King Charles III.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said His Majesty the King’s wish is that a period of royal mourning will be observed from now until seven days after the Queen’s funeral.

See also: Platinum Jubilee: Farmers Weekly celebrates Queen’s reign

The date of the Queen’s funeral is expected to take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September, but this has not been confirmed by Buckingham Palace.

A bank holiday is expected to be announced for the sovereign’s funeral.

On the same day, the Queen’s coffin will be taken to St George’s Chapel at Windsor, where she will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband of 73 years, Prince Philip.

A spokesman for Defra said the government agency “will not be issuing any statements during the mourning period”.

Writing on Twitter, Defra director of farming reforms Janet Hughes said, as a civil servant, she would be “offline from now, respecting the period of national mourning, and there won’t be any public communications about our work during this period”.

Public services ‘as normal’

During the period of national mourning, public services will continue as normal, although there may be changes to some services on the day of the state funeral.

The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) is encouraging YFCs to continue their weekly meetings and activities where appropriate – whilst building in moments of reflection – but to “consider” larger public events that might be deemed insensitive.

NFYFC is mourning the loss of its patron Her Majesty The Queen and sends its deepest sympathies to the @RoyalFamily.

Since 1957, The Queen has been a committed patron of Young Farmers’ Clubs and the opportunities the organisation provides to rural young people. #TheQueen pic.twitter.com/ny8eOpypjY

— NFYFC (@NFYFC) September 8, 2022

Organisers of the UK Dairy Day said the dedicated annual one-day event for the dairy industry would still take place at the International Centre in Telford, Shropshire, on Wednesday 14 September.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Her Majesty’s passing, but we will continue to hold UK Dairy Day as planned,” said a spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the formal start of British Food Fortnight will be delayed until after the period of national mourning and the funeral of the Queen.