Why are two minutes of silence observed instead of one for Elizabeth II’s passing?

Today, millions of people around the world will bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II. Later this afternoon, the monarch, who marked an era in modern history, will be buried in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, London. Before that, the funeral service will be held in Westminster Abbey with over 2,000 guests in attendance.

The two minutes of silence, a gesture in memory of Queen Elizabeth II

Buckingham Palace has called for two minutes of silence throughout the United Kingdom as part of a national double moment of reflection in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth II. A sign of respect and a gesture to honor the longest-serving queen in the history of the country, who has been present at the most important moments of the last century in the United Kingdom.

The two-minute silence will take place at 11:55 a.m. local time (BST) on Monday (6:55 a.m. EDT / 3:55 a.m. PDT), during the latter part of the state funeral. On Sunday evening, a minute of silence was observed nationwide at 8:00 p.m. (3 p.m. EDT / 12 noon PDT). Silence for one or two minutes is included in ANZAC and Remembrance Day ceremonies as a sign of respect and a time for reflection. A two-minute silence was observed for the first time on Armistice Day in 1919 to honour the sacrifice of those who lost their lives during the First World War. The original proposal was for a five-minute silence which was shortened following a trial with the Grenadier guards at Buckingham Palace. It continues to be observed every year at 11:00 a.m. on Remembrance Day, 11 November.

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King Charles III will be at the head of the procession that will walk behind the queen’s coffin, when it is transferred, at 10:44 (11:44 in Spain) on Monday, from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for the funeral. The new monarch will walk with his brothers and the rest of the British Royal Family.