Why Queen’s funeral protocols could switch World Cup final date

The organisers of the Rugby League World Cup in England have scheduled two potential dates for the final: Saturday, November 19, and Sunday, November 20.

The latter date has been set aside if Queen Elizabeth II dies towards the end of the tournament. Protocol dictates her funeral must be on a Saturday, followed by a week of mourning.

However, RLWC organisers have been told a final on Sunday, November 20, would be acceptable to Kensington Palace, should the funeral be held the previous day.

Andrew Hill, strategic advisor for the southern hemisphere for the RLWC, confirmed the two dates, saying, “When the Queen passes, the funeral has to be on a Saturday with a week of mourning. We’ve been given to understand a final on the Sunday is possible.”

Sixteen men’s teams, eight women’s team and eight wheelchair teams will contest the five-week tournament, which begins on October 15.

With games scheduled every Saturday, should the 96-year-old monarch die early in the tournament, organisers face major challenges with venues and TV slots.

Queen Elizabeth presenting Bob Fulton with the Wills trophy at the SCG in 1977.Credit:Fairfax Media

Originally scheduled for last year, the pandemic forced organisers to move the RLWC to 2022, where it is sandwiched between the UEFA Women’s Euros in England in July, Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games in August and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, beginning November 21.

The RLWC will be represented by players from 21 nations and includes Pacific nations Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, PNG and Cook Islands – all members of the Commonwealth, of which the Queen is the titular head.

The final will be a double header involving men’s and women’s teams at Old Trafford, with the wheelchair final played the previous evening in Manchester.

With Australia likely to meet New Zealand in a semi-final, it is expected ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys, who is also chairman of selectors for the Kangaroos, will be in England.

In view of his reported friendship with the Queen, forged during a recent visit to Royal Ascot, it could be expected he will attend her potential funeral.

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