EastEnders will air its Monday episode as normal amid ongoing coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, although it has been displaced from its usual timeslot of 7:30pm.
Thursday’s episode was moved to Friday on BBC Two and the new week, which focuses on the wedding of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), will commence on 8:30pm.
Throughout most of the day, News specials will continue, with The One Show preceding EastEnders at 8pm with an ‘Our Queen Remembered’ edition.
Ongoing drama series The Capture will air its final episode at 9pm as previously billed.
Fans anticipate seeing a reference to the Queen’s passing in EastEnders, despite the fact that this has not been confirmed. EastEnders is known for incorporating last-minute filmed scenes to reference important national and international events.
At the age of 96, Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully in Balmoral, bringing an end to her more than 70-year reign.
To be by her side in her final moments, Elizabeth’s family, which included the new King Charles, flew to the Scottish Highlands on Thursday.
The statement from Buckingham Palace read: “The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.”
‘The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.’
The first indication that the Queen’s health had deteriorated came on Wednesday evening when she pulled out of a virtual Privy Council meeting.
Following his automatic ascension to the throne, King Charles III has declared a period of national mourning.
All major broadcasters suspended their regular programming schedules to accommodate tributes and rolling coverage.
From Grant Mitchell actor Ross Kemp to Brian Conley, the cast of the soap has been inundated with tributes.
— Brian Conley (@RealBrianConley) September 8, 2022
The Queen served her people unflinchingly with dignity and grace. She has been a steady hand, guiding our country through its ups and downs. She will be sadly missed, not only here but around the world. She dedicated her life to the service of her people as she promised. pic.twitter.com/VqNjlIMwkc
— Ross Kemp (@RossKemp) September 8, 2022
Sad day. https://t.co/hjsLo7UPxY
— Davood Ghadami (@DavoodGhadami) September 8, 2022
Very sad day. RIP Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ❤️
— Tony Clay (@tony_clay76) September 8, 2022
Elizabeth visited the EastEnders set in 2001, and Barbara Windsor gave her a tour.
Earlier this year, Camilla and Charles III, who is now King, paid a visit as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.
The two appeared together in the actual episode, in a cameo capacity.
Charles and Camilla were given a tour of Albert Square during the episode, where they encountered important figures.
Rudolph Walker’s Patrick Trueman offered them a shot of rum, to which Charles grinned and said, “I thought you’d never ask.”
Queen Elizabeth was crowned 16 months after assuming the throne in February 1952.
With 15 prime ministers in office during her time in power, her reign saw a time of significant change.
She maintained her composure throughout significant historical occurrences like the fall of the British Empire, the moon landing, the Cold War, and the development of the internet.
