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The official seven day mourning period for the royal family following Queen Elizabeth’s funeral came to an end this week, marking the begin of a full return to normal after the country lost it’s long-reigning monarch earlier this month.
The United Kingdom began its national 10-day mourning period following Queen Elizabeth’s death on September 8 at age 96 in the lead up to her state funeral held last Monday on an official bank holiday. The day after the funeral, flags on British government buildings around the world went back to flying at full mast. Royal residences also began to reopen, although their flags remained at half-mast until today, including the Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, as well as the Queen’s Gallery in Edinburgh, Balmoral Castle, Sandringham House, and Hillsborough Castle.
But while the last week has been business as usual for the rest of the country, the royal family’s official mourning period traditionally continues until seven days after the state funeral and private burial service held in Windsor. Royal mourning is observed by members of the royal family, staff in the royal households, and troops on ceremonial duties. Starting today, royals will be permitted to carry out their normal official duties and can cease wearing black. Prince William and Princess Kate spent the day in Wales in honor of their new titles as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Royal Family Instagram account also paid tribute to the end of this time of great sadness, posting a black-and-white photo of the young monarch wearing a diamond tiara. They wrote alongside the image, “The period of Royal Mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has now ended,” adding, “The Royal Family account will continue to reflect the work of The King, The Queen Consort and other members of The Royal Family, as well as remembering the life and work of Queen Elizabeth.”
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