A 96-gun salute, one round to mark each year of Queen Elizabeth’s life, will echo across Canberra from 5pm today, Parliament is suspended for 15 days, and Australian flags are at half-mast around the nation to mark the long-serving monarch’s passing.

The gun salute will be held at Parliament House at dusk, with a 10-second interval between each round.

Protocol dictates the Australian flag should be flown at half-mast until after the day of The Queen’s funeral in the UK. The funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey and is slated to take place 10 days after her death. For Australia, invitations have been extended to the Prime Minister, Governor-General, the High Commissioner and their spouses.

While there will not be an official mourning period in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will declare the day of the national memorial service a national day of mourning for Australia. This service will be held following the return of the Prime Minister and Governor-General from London.

While flowers were being left outside the British High Commission in Yarralumla this morning, floral tributes may be left at the Forecourt of Parliament House and at Government House.

However, the Royal Family has noted that Australians may prefer to make a donation to a charity of their choice instead of leaving flowers.

Canberrans can express their condolences in Condolence Books at Parliament House and Government House in Yarralumla.

Messages of condolence can also be left online at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Governor-General websites.

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