It’s a day of mourning as Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest.
The late Queen passed away September 8 at the age of 96. Thousands of mourners have paid their respects at Westminster Hall, where the Elizabeth has been lying in state for the last four days.
The monarch of 70 years is being honoured with a funeral at Westminster Abbey at 6am ET this morning, followed by a private service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where she and her late husband, Prince Phillip, will be buried together.
Today has been declared a national holiday in Canada, with some federally regulated businesses closed. While not a provincial holiday in Ontario, Premier Doug Ford has suggested a moment of silence be held at 1 o’clock this afternoon. It’s the same time a commemorative ceremony will be held in Ottawa.
Special wreath-laying ceremonies are being held locally this morning the Queen’s memory.
The Wallaceburg ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph at 11.
In Chatham, a procession will run from the Branch 642 Legion on William Street to the Cenotaph, starting at 10:45.
Classes will be in session today for students in the public, English catholic and French catholic school boards, however Walpole Island First Nation is adhering to the national holiday and has decided to close its schools today.
Tonight’s Chatham-Kent council planning meeting has been postponed in honour of the Queen’s passing, and rescheduled for October 17.
