Public holiday to mourn death of Queen Elizabeth II: Australians planning to get ‘totally wasted’
Australians are planning to drink heavily in honour of The Queen on the national day of mourning public holiday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the countrywide day off for Thursday to give Australians time to reflect on Her Majesty’s life and legacy.
The holiday will give millions of people a four-day weekend, and many plan to make the most of it in the great Australian tradition of heavy drinking.
Australians are planning to drink heavily in honour of The Queen on the national day of mourning public holiday
Such alcohol-infused mourning plans were discussed widely online, and considered a fitting tribute to Her Majesty from her most rowdy former colony.
‘Apart from mourning her royal majesty, it looks like it will be a rainy one, so what is everyone planning on doing?’ one asked on social media.
One response went straight to the point: ‘Get f**king plastered.
‘It’s what she (the Queen) would have wanted… Also then take Friday off as a sickie,’ they added.
Another also suggested: ‘It’s what she would’ve wanted’.
A third added: ‘Boss says having a Thursday off is stupid so if we want use one day annual leave for the Friday coz its pretty obvious everyone’s gonna be out getting amongst it.’
The holiday will give millions of people a four-day weekend, and many plan to make the most of it in the great Australian tradition of heavy drinking
‘Boss says having a Thursday off is stupid so if we want use one day annual leave for the Friday coz its pretty obvious everyone’s gonna be out getting amongst it,’ another user said (pictured, Sydneysiders out and about)
‘Should have just made it on the following Monday and made it worthwhile,’ a fourth wrote.
One unlucky user responded: ‘Working… someone has to sell alcohol to you guys having the day off’.
It should be noted that other solemn public holidays, like Anzac Day, are also occasions for heavy drinking – even by veterans themselves.
Thursday’s public holiday will follow The Queen’s funeral on Monday at Westminster Abbey in London, after she died aged 96 on September 9.
The UK called its public holiday for Monday so Britons would be able to watch the funeral, but as it begins at 8pm in Australia there was no need for it to be the same day Down Under.