Funeral of HRH The Queen

Arrangements

Dear parent/carer/guardian,

As I have no doubt you will have seen on the news and via your social media interactions, the funeral date for HRH Queen Elizabeth II has been released.

Over the weekend, the SLT (Senior Leadership Team), Chair and Vice Chair of the Governing Board have been in discussion on how best we can accommodate the wishes and needs of The Royal Family, the expectation from His Royal Highness' Government and yours as the Imperium Federation Family.

To this end, please see below our arrangements as well as the public time table published by The Royal Family.

If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to contact me at school.

Friday September 16th

Following discussions with the SLT, Chair and Vice Chair, we will close both Waterside and King’s Oak Schools on Friday September 16th from 12.30pm.

This is to enable you and your family (if you wish) and the staff at both schools to pay tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II - either by attending her whilst she lies in state at Westminster Hall or marking her life in your own way.

As you know for such historic events, we would have organised a visit (if you as parents agreed) but due to the discussions with the Royal Palace and Cabinet Office, we are unable to guarantee an end time (due to the expected crowds wishing to pay their respects) and so it was agreed that by closing early on Friday and seeing that as a school journey opportunity, it gave you, as families, flexibility.

School transport has been informed and we will provide a packed lunch for pupils to leave school with on Friday.

To assist you, we have placed directions from Plumstead, Greenwich and Eltham to Westminster Hall - where HRH Queen Elizabeth II is lying in state, if you do wish to take your family.

If you wish to see the flowers that the public have left (or wish to take some of your own), you will need to stay on the Jubilee line and exit at Queen’s Park. Please find attached photos from Saturday when staff visited.

Monday September 19th

As declared by The Royal Family and His Majesty’s Government on Saturday, Monday September 19th will be both HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and a Bank Holiday.

Both Waterside and King’s Oak will be closed and parents will be informed.

Tuesday will see a full return to school time table and expectation.

Other Notable Timings/Events

Like ourselves, our pupils are very interested in the ceremonial/constitutional and pageantry of the week ahead, and to this end - please find an overview of what has been published. Timings will be released via all social media channels. 

Monday 12th

King Charles III will meet both Houses of Parliament for them to express their condolences.

King Charles III, with Queen Consort, will fly to Edinburgh to begin Operation Spring Tide - his tour of the home nations.

HRH The Queen’s coffin will move to St Giles’ Cathedral accompanied by King Charles III and members of the Royal Family.

HRH The Queen will lie in state for 24 hours so the public can pay their respects. 

During the evening, King Charles III and the Royal Family will hold a vigil at the cathedral.

Tuesday 13th

Princess Anne will accompany HRH The Queen on her final flight back to London.

King Charles III and Queen Consort, will fly to Northern Ireland as part of Operation Spring Tide.

HRH The Queen will be taken to Buckingham Palace  - welcomed by King Charles III upon his return from Northern Ireland.

Wednesday 14th

HRH The Queen will move from Buckingham Palace - carried on a gun carriage (from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery) and will be followed by The Royal Family.

HRH The Queen will be placed on a platform (called a catafalque) and her coffin will be draped in the Royal Standard and topped with the State Crown, orb and sceptre.

Westminster Hall (following a service) will be opened to the public to pay tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

Thursday 15th

This is the first full day of lying in state.

Friday 16th

This is the second full day of lying in state. 

King Charles III and Queen Consort will travel to Wales as part of Operation Spring Tide.

Waterside and King’s Oak will be closed from 12.30pm

Saturday 17th

This is the third full day of lying in state.

Sunday 18th

This is the fourth and final day of lying in state.

Monday 19th

HRH The Queen’s Funeral

Tuesday 20th

School re-opens.

How to get to Westminster Hall

Greenwich

Bus: 422 / 188 / 129 towards North Greenwich

Tube : Jubilee and exit at Westminster. Exit through Exit 4 - Bridge Street North - Westminster Hall is 2 minutes walk.

Plumstead

Train : take any overground from Plumstead/Woolwich exit at London Bridge.

Tube : Take the Jubilee to Westminster. Exit through Exit 4 - Bridge Street North - Westminster Hall is 2 minutes walk.

Eltham

Train : take any overground towards Charing Cross exiting at London Bridge.

Tube : Take the Jubilee to Westminster. Exit through Exit 4 - Bridge Street North - Westminster Hall is 2 minutes walk.

Or 

Train : take any overground to Charing Cross.

Walk : it is a 12 minute walk from Charing Cross to Westminster Hall.