The Queen in all green and her coffin during funeral service
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Petition for annual ‘Queen Elizabeth II’ bank holiday reaches thousands of signatures as MPs show support

Royal fans want the day to be honoured

A petition for a Queen Elizabeth II annual bank holiday has hit over 140,000 signatures.

The campaign was launched on Change.org following the monarch’s passing, and has picked up pace quickly with Brits.

It calls for September 8, the day the Queen died, to become an annual bank holiday in Her Majesty’s memory.

The petition says: “Queen Elizabeth II is our longest reigning Monarch, and arguably the Nations, and the World’s most popular ever Monarch.

“In the words of President Macron, ‘to you, she was your Queen, to us, she was THE Queen…The most constant symbol of Great Britain.”

The Queen's coffin during funeral procession
Brits are calling for an annual bank holiday in honour of the Queen (Credit: BBC)

Could there be an annual bank holiday to mark the Queen’s death?

It adds: “She was indeed an inspirational woman. Britain has fewer bank holidays than most European countries; France has 11 compared with our 8, Spain has 14.

“I believe we need a new public bank holiday to mark our greatest Sovereign’s lifetime; a Queen Elizabeth Day. A day for our Nation to come together and celebrate both the life of the Queen, and our gratitude for the institution of our Royal Family!”

Historians, MPs and campaigners have supported the campaign.

Queen Elizabeth II funeral and coffin
The Queen’s funeral took place today (Credit: BBC)

The MailOnline reports that former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith branded it a “brilliant idea”.

Meanwhile, historian and broadcaster Dan Snow added: “We haven’t always been great as a country at celebrating what binds us together.

“This is a moment to change that and create a day that will represent the principles of togetherness and service that Her Majesty personified.”

According to the publication, Labour MP Khalid Mahmood said: “We should continue to pay tribute to the Queen, our longest-reigning monarch, and ensure her selflessness and commitment to service remains an inspiration.

“An annual day of love and celebration is the least she deserves and I would fully support it.”

The Queen smiling wearing purple
Brits want a bank holiday to be named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II (Credit: Splashnews)

In addition, Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons defence committee, said: “The day would be a permanent reminder of our gratitude for an incredible reign and dedicated life of service.”

Brits call for Queen Elizabeth bank holiday

Elsewhere, one signee replied: “We shouldn’t forget what the Queen has done for the Country and the World.”

“She has united our kingdom and provided 70 years of stable enduring public service. As a nation we should never forget this,” said a second.

In addition, a third added: “She was a legacy. She deserves to be remembered each year on a special day.”

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The Queen’s state funeral took place on Monday, with the service conducted at Westminster Abbey.

Following a committal service, the monarch will be laid to rest at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, a small building within St George’s Chapel.

Read more: Royal fans gush over Princess Charlotte’s ‘reminder’ to Prince George during Queen’s funeral

Do you think there should be an annual bank holiday in honour of the Queen? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think. 

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