Sources said there have been no blanket instructions from the Royal Household for cancellations of events, services or transport links
The Royal family want “minimum disruption” to the nation as the public mourns the Queen’s funeral on Monday, the Telegraph has learned, after it emerged NHS appointments have been cancelled and GPs closed for the bank holiday.
Neither the King nor the late Queen have asked for public events, services or transport to be shut down for the day of her funeral, palace sources said.
There is growing criticism over the decision to cancel hospital appointments, close foodbanks and postpone family funerals on Monday after the Government declared it a bank holiday.
A palace source said: “While we appreciate people wanting to commemorate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth appropriately and respectfully, it is up to individual organisations to decide how they do that, balancing it with the need to cause minimum disruption to others.
“There have been no blanket instructions from the Royal Household for cancellations of events, services or transport links.”
Suggesting there had been particular concern over reports of NHS hospital appointments being postponed, another added: “None of this is at the request of the palace.”
Buckingham Palace has always emphasised that the decision to make the day of the late Queen’s funeral a bank holiday was one for the Government.
But it is now facing growing criticism after businesses and public bodies cancelled an array of services, citing “mourning” as the reason.
While there is no requirement for shops, restaurants, entertainment venues or holiday resorts to shut their doors on the day of the funeral, many have chosen to do so.
Guidance from NHS England has instructed hospitals to contact patients to let them know if appointments have been postponed, with GPs and pharmacies told they can close their doors.
Thousands of appointments, including those on cancer, cardiology and maternity units, are reported to have been cancelled on Monday.
NHS managers are said to believe they have no option but to cancel some clinics, with staff needing to look after their children who will be off school and fears over transport chaos.
Some private funerals have been postponed, despite the National Association of Funeral Directors confirming there is no blanket policy for the bank holiday.
Schools and nurseries are to close on Monday, with social media ablaze with criticism over cancellations from the serious – as foodbanks run by volunteers choose to close their doors – to the comical, including the postponement of “Guinea Pig Awareness Week”.
Transport for London (TfL) has been accused of being “miserable” and “mean” over a decision to ban busking on the day of the funeral, with the public left baffled after the Met Office’s social media announced it would only be posting daily forecasts as “a mark of respect”.
Center Parcs has already reversed a decision to ask guests to leave for the day on Monday after public backlash.
The Government guidance, issued last week, states: “Some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral, however, this is at the discretion of individual businesses.”
It adds: “The bank holiday will be a unique national moment, and we would encourage employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off.”
The announcement of a bank holiday was intended to mark the final day of national mourning for the death of Queen Elizabeth II, allowing children and workers to take the time to watch her funeral and commemorate her memory.
Schools will be closed in recognition of a moment in British history, with millions expected to tune in to see the funeral or visit London or Windsor in person to pay their respects.
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