Courts and tribunals arrangements for The Queen’s State Funeral

Most hearings will not take place on Monday 19 September 2022, following the announcement that Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral will be on this day, which will be a national bank holiday.

As previously agreed, however, urgent hearings, including overnight custody cases will continue in consultation with the judiciary. Where possible, and in consultation with the relevant judiciary, we’ll seek to list these types of hearings either side of the funeral.

We’ll adjourn cases where defendants have been remanded in custody to appear in court on the day of the funeral to the next available date. We’ll contact all parties and inform them of their new hearing date and venue. All our venues, except for those holding urgent hearings, will close to the public as a mark of respect. This includes the Royal Courts of Justice, Crown Courts, County Courts, Civil and Family Courts, magistrates’ courts, tribunals, business centres and Service Centres.

All court and tribunal users can use the Royal Family’s online provision for books of condolence.

See guidance for the public and businesses on the period of National Mourning following the demise of Her Majesty The Queen.

Find the latest news from the Royal Family.

Use our Find a Court or Tribunal service to find a court or tribunal in England and Wales.

Published 12 September 2022
Last updated 12 September 2022 + show all updates

12 September 2022
Clarification on court closures on Monday 19 September.
12 September 2022
First published.

National Moment of Reflection

News story

The National Moment of Reflection will take place at 8pm on Sunday 18 September.

Today the public have been invited to take part in a National Moment of Reflection to mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on her life and legacy.

The National Moment of Reflection will take place at 8pm on Sunday 18 September, the night before the State Funeral, and be marked by a one-minute silence.

The silence can be marked privately at home, with friends and family, out on doorsteps or the street with neighbours, or at locally arranged community events and vigils.

Community groups, clubs and other organisations across the country are encouraged to take part and people overseas are also encouraged to observe the one-minute silence at 8pm local time.

Details of larger-scale public events to be held across the country will be published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-ii.

Published 12 September 2022

PM call with Prime Minister Trudeau: 10 September 2022

Press release

The Prime Minister spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Prime Minister spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday 10 September 2022.

The leaders shared their shock and sadness at the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. They agreed a profound sense of loss is being felt by people in the UK, Canada, the wider Commonwealth and across the world.

The Prime Minister noted the closeness of the UK-Canada relationship, as fellow members of the Commonwealth, G7 and NATO. The leaders agreed to build on this partnership as we apply our shared values to the challenges we face, including working to reduce our economic dependence on authoritarian states.

Published 12 September 2022

Condolences for Her Majesty The Queen

World news story

We are deeply grateful for the many heartfelt messages of condolence that we have received.

If you wish to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the British Embassy in Beirut will open a condolence book for the public at the National Library in Beirut during the following times:

Tuesday 13 September 9am – 1pm

Wednesday 14 September 12pm – 4pm

Thursday 15 September 9am – 1pm

Friday 16 September 9am – 1pm

Address: National Library (Formerly Lebanese University – Faculty of Law), Spears road, Hamra.

Published 12 September 2022

Public Information activities in Royal Hillsborough and Belfast 13.09.2022

Their Majesties will arrive at Belfast City Airport where they will be met by the Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport, before travelling to Hillsborough Castle for a number of engagements.

The King and Consort will arrive at Hillsborough Castle, where His Majesty will hold a private audience with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and will meet with representatives from political parties. Their Majesties will also receive a Message of Condolence from The Speaker of The Northern Ireland Assembly on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.

The King and The Queen Consort will attend a reception at Hillsborough Castle, hosted by the Secretary of State, where they will have the opportunity to meet representatives drawn from a diverse range of Northern Ireland life.

Later in the afternoon, His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will travel to St Anne’s Cathedral to attend a Service of Reflection for the life of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. Their Majesties will then undertake a walkabout at Writers’ Square before departure.

Public information regarding travel to Hillsborough Castle

The public is welcome to come to Royal Hillsborough ahead of the ceremony to line the route, members of the public should be in place by 1100. There is no parking for non-residents
Special transport is in place from the dedicated Park and Ride facility at the Eikon Centre, Halftown Road, Lisburn There will be no public access to the Castle during this period other than via this Park & Ride service.
Further information on the public transport services and shuttle bus times is available on Translink’s Website
On arrival at the Eikon Centre, members of the public will pass through a security search, before boarding coaches for Hillsborough Castle. You will be able to access toilets and refreshments at the Eikon Centre before travelling to Royal Hillsborough.
Large bags, such as backpacks and rucksacks will not be allowed onto the Park & Ride buses to Royal Hillsborough; you will be asked to return any large bags to your car and will have to undergo the queuing system again.
Please be aware that only floral tributes will be allowed to be laid in the dedicated area at Hillsborough Castle. On arrival at the Eikon Centre, all floral tributes will undergo a full security search, and any cellophane wrapping will be removed and disposed of at the Eikon Centre to avoid a fire risk. Notes will also be removed and preserved by the NIO at Eikon Centre for onward transmission to Buckingham Palace.
Other items (such as soft toys) are not allowed to be laid, and will also be removed and stored at the Eikon Centre. Soft toys will be donated by the NIO to local hospitals.
On arrival at Hillsborough Castle, the tributes should be handed to an events steward who will lay them in the dedicated area in the Forecourt of Hillsborough Castle.

Information regarding route between Hillsborough and Belfast St Anne’s

His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will leave Hillsborough Castle at 1420, travelling along Main Street and Lisburn Street to attend the Service of Reflection at St Anne’s Cathedral, which will begin at 1500.
They will come into Belfast City Centre along Wellington Place, Donegall Square North, Chichester Street and Victoria Street.
The public is very welcome to line the route as His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort travel to the Cathedral. Donegall Street and Writers Square will be closed to the public.

Public Information regarding the Service of Reflection at St Anne’s

The service of reflection at St Anne’s Cathedral is by invitation only. A small number of individuals have been invited to observe the proceedings at St Anne’s Cathedral from Writers’ Square. Members of the public will not be admitted to Writers’ Square or to the service of reflection. Access to the service will be strictly by ticket only.

More information on wider activities in Belfast is available on Belfast City Council Website including public television screens at Belfast City Hall.

Q&A

Where is the Eikon Centre?

The Eikon Centre is close to the M1 and only 10 minutes from Royal Hillsborough.
Yellow signs will direct you to the Hillsborough Park & Ride. You will be directed as follows, if approaching from:
- The South (A1): Stay on the A1 past Royal Hillsborough Village and turn left onto Harrys Road
- The East (M1): Leave the M1 at junction 7 onto the Blaris Road
- The West (M1): Leave the M1 at junction 9 onto the A3 and turn South on the Halftown Road
- The North (A26): At the junction with the M1 and A3, turn East onto the the A3 and turn South on the Halftown Road

How do I get there by public transport?

A shuttle bus will run from Lisburn rail station to and from the Eikon Centre
Public buses will still run through Royal Hillsborough, but you will not be able to access the Castle other than via the Eikon Centre. You will be able to hand floral tributes to staff to lay on your behalf.

Why is there a security check?

As you are aware, Hillsborough Castle is a secure venue and for this reason it will be necessary for everyone coming on site to undergo a short security check before boarding the buses at the Eikon Centre as well as a further check before entering Hillsborough Castle.
All cellophane on floral tributes will be removed during this security check. No other tributes will be allowed at the Hillsborough Castle site, and guests are requested to refrain from bringing any other objects or tributes.
To facilitate a speedy security check, guests are requested not to bring large bags or holdalls. There will be no storage facility in the Eikon Centre for luggage.

I am attending the ceremonial events, do I need to travel via the Eikon Centre?

Yes. Guests for ceremonial events in Royal Hillsborough and Belfast also be asked to travel to the Eikon Centre.
Guests will be handled separately to members of the public seeking to lay floral tributes. You should have received information about travel from the Northern Ireland Office alongside notification of your attendance at the event(s).

I live in Hillsborough, do I need to travel to Eikon?

Local residents and business owners within Royal Hillsborough Village should receive a leaflet from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council regarding the special arrangements in operation during the national period of mourning. If you have not received this, please contact the Community Assistance Centre on 028 9244 7999 for further information and support.

I just want to lay flowers, do I really need to go to Eikon?

Hillsborough Castle is only accessible to the general public (aside from local residents and business owners) during the national period of mourning via the Park & Ride facility at the Eikon Centre.
Flowers may be handed to staff outside Hillsborough Castle; any other material (such as wrappings and other tributes) will be removed and the flowers will be laid in the dedicated area.