The death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III have no parallel in modern times for the UK.
In terms of travel, the next week will see some disruption across a wide range of services – but as a mark of respect to Her Majesty, national rail strikes this week have been called off.
Travellers who wish to alter their plans because of the funeral are also concerned about their options.
These are the key questions and answers.
Where will travel be most affected?
Initially, in and around Edinburgh, where the Queen’s coffin will remain until Tuesday afternoon – when it will be flown from capital’s airport to London.
The city council says: “There will be significant travel disruption along the route of the Queen’s coffin leaving Edinburgh on Tuesday afternoon.
“Police Scotland will put in place numerous road closures from 1pm which will cause significant disruption.”
In addition some scheduled flights to and from Edinburgh airport on Tuesday will be disrupted.
Her Majesty will lie in state in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster in central London between Wednesday 14 September and Monday 19 September.
During the lying in state, parts of central London will be closed to normal traffic. Bus routes will be curtailed and some station access points may be closed.
Around the Queen’s funeral, at 11am on Monday 19 September, there will be extensive road closures, and some Underground and national rail stations could close.
industry insiders predict significant disruption at the London airports – primarily Heathrow and Stansted – due largely to heads of state movements. On the day of the funeral, air traffic restrictions may be in place at Heathrow; normally flights arrive over central London and take off over Windsor, where the Queen will be interred.
What’s happening on the railways?
Within hours of the news of the death of the Queen, the RMT union called off its national rail strikes planned for Thursday and Saturday next week, on 15 and 17 September.
Aslef, the train drivers’ union, had planned industrial action for Thursday 15 September. Its walk out has been postponed.
The TSSA white-collar rail union has also called off its 24-hour stoppage planned for 26 and 27 September.
The news was welcomed by train operators. Lumo, which runs trains from London to Newcastle and Edinburgh, tweeted: “The whole railway family is united in sending our condolences to the Royal Family.
“We welcome the decision by the unions to call off next week’s strike action at a time of national mourning.”
Because train operators were planning crew rosters a week ahead assuming the strikes would take place, there could still be some disruption on Thursday as schedules are redrawn. But Network Rail signallers will work normally, meaning the entire network should be accessible.
Will there be more trains to take people to and from London?
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing train operators, says: “We are working with our partners to review arrangements to get people to view the funeral where possible and where there is capacity.”
The day of the funeral will be a bank holiday, which will ease the squeeze by removing many commuters from the mix. It also means cheaper fares will be available all day.
My train plans have been affected. Can I change my rail ticket without penalty?
The RDG says:”We have put in place changes that will ensure customers will not lose money if they change their plans or decide not to travel because of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
“These changes will also help increase capacity on trains, which we expect to be very busy at this time with many people travelling to formal events, especially in London.
“Customers with anytime, off-peak and super off-peak tickets can get refunds if they bought them before the death of Her Majesty the Queen was announced on 8 September. The administration fee, which can be up to £10, will be waived.
“This applies to almost all train services in England and on ScotRail. However, the policy may differ for a handful of train operators who have yet to confirm their arrangements.”
Advance tickets can be changed up to 6pm the day before travel in line with the existing ‘Book with Confidence’ scheme – which applies for tickets purchased at least until the rest of the month. But for the new date/time, a fare difference may be payable.
I have a flight booked over the next week. Will it operate?
With the exception of some local disruption at Edinburgh and the London airports, which should be notified to passengers in advance, scheduled flights are presumed to operate as normal.
But on Monday 19 September the government says it expects employers “to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work”. Some airlines and airports may choose to give their staff the day off, which could affect flights.
Could extra flights be laid on?
Unlikely, given the fact that the two leading UK airlines – British Airways and easyJet – are currently operating hundreds of flights fewer each day than originally planned, due to resourcing issues.
An easyJet spokesperson said: “Given our extensive flying schedule into and around the UK, we do not have any current plans to increase flying over the coming days.
“We are already operating up to 1,700 flights day, almost 300 operating into London, and 230 operating domestically each day.”
Is there any flexibility if I have an existing flight?
Two UK airlines have given The Independent details of their flexibility options for passengers whose plans have changed.
Loganair is telling passengers: “We know at this extraordinary time, families and friends may wish to come together and reconsider their travel plans in the coming weeks.
“In light of these circumstances, Loganair is offering extra flexibility to customers with bookings for travel during this period:
“Should you wish to make a change to your travel date(s), you may do so free of charge and move to another flight date during the month of September.
“If you were due to attend an event that has been confirmed as rescheduled or cancelled, then you may request a credit voucher for the original value of the journey by completing this form.
“In this instance, you will be required to provide supporting documentation of a major event cancellation or rescheduling that you were due to attend.
“The quickest and easy way to make changes is online and our Customer Help Centre is extremely busy right now – so we kindly ask that you please only call us if you really need to.”
In contrast, easyJet wants passengers whose plans are changing to phone their call centre.
A spokesperson for Britain’s biggest budget airline said: “During this exceptional time, we recognise that some customers may need to change their travel plans and they can do so by calling our call centre [0330 551 5151] where staff will be able to use discretion to offer fee-free changes on a case-by-case basis.”
I booked a hotel for an event that is now cancelled. Is there anything I can do?
In the very rare case that you have booked an event-specific package (transport, accommodation and a ticket for the event), the contract will be regarded as “frustrated” and you should get a full refund without fuss.
For the vast majority of guests, though, if you have paid in advance for a room, the fact that you no longer need it does not require the hotel to offer any kind of recompense.
Talk to the hotel about your options. The Independent has asked some leading hotel chains for their policies.
First to respond was Travelodge. A spokesperson said: “Anyone who has a current booking in one of our London hotels and needs to change it, we can change it to a different date or offer a credit note for a future booking.
“We will do the same for bookings made outside of London for an event or gathering that has been cancelled due to respect for the Queen during the mourning period and till the funeral.”
Premier Inn has declined to comment.
I want to travel to London to pay my respects. Will hotel rates be high?
It is difficult to say. “Normal” tourism and business travel may sharply reduce, freeing up rooms. Or demand may be so intense that prices soar.
The Travelodge spokesperson said: “Our 78 hotels across London are expected to be busy over the coming days and we will be offering competitive rates in line with the market as we normally do.”