The proclamation was made by Australia’s Governor-Normal David Hurley on the nation’s parliament in Canberra. A sequence of proclamation ceremonies may also happen throughout state parliaments within the nation on Sunday.

A nationwide day of remembrance might be held on September 22, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has returned from Britain, the place he’ll attend the Queen’s funeral. A memorial service may also be held on that day, which has been declared a one-off public vacation.

As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia 16 occasions.

“From her well-known first journey to Australia, the one reigning sovereign to ever go to, it was clear Her Majesty held a particular place in her coronary heart for Australia,” Albanese stated in a press release Friday.

“Fifteen extra excursions earlier than cheering crowds in each a part of our nation confirmed the particular place she held in ours.”

In 1999 Australia held a referendum on whether or not to take away the Queen as head of state, nevertheless it was defeated.

On Friday, Sydney’s iconic Opera Home was lit up with a tribute to the Queen.

Neighboring commonwealth nation New Zealand on Sunday additionally formally proclaimed King Charles III as its head of state in a televised ceremony.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated Queen Elizabeth served individuals of New Zealand for 70 years with unwavering responsibility.

“For the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders, she is the one monarch now we have identified, and so upon her loss of life we enter a time of change,” Ardern stated.

“King Charles has lengthy had an affection for Aotearoa New Zealand and has persistently demonstrated his deep look after our nation.” she added. “And in order one chapter closes, one other begins.”

The Canadian parliament will sit on Thursday to permit members to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on Twitter on Saturday.

Trudeau added the Canadian Parliament may also delay its opening session by a day. “To accommodate Her Majesty’s funeral, the opening of the session might be delayed — by someday — to September 20,” Trudeau stated.