John Lewis, Waitrose and Aldi have confirmed that they will be closing their stores on Monday as a mark of respect for the Queen Elizabeth II ahead of her state funeral.

Harrods, which is the luxury department store based in Knightsbridge has also confirmed that it will be closing.

King Charles III approved the day of the funeral as a Bank Holiday across the UK.

The Queen, Britain's longest-ever reigning monarch, died on Thursday at her Scottish estate in Balmoral.

John Lewis, Waitrose, Homebase, WH Smith, B&Q, Primark, Sainsbury's, Argos, Aldi and Blue Diamond Garden Centres have all said that they will shut on the day.

Andrew Murphy, chief operating officer at the John Lewis Partnership, said: "We will be closing our stores on the day of her funeral as a mark of respect, and because we believe this is the right thing to do for our Partners and customers."

All John Lewis department stores and Waitrose shops will be shut on the day, although a small number of Waitrose stores along the route of the funeral procession may remain open.

Sainsbury’s and Argos have confirmed that all their stores will be closed on Monday.

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said this decision was "in honour of Her Majesty and so our colleagues can pay their respects".

The spokesperson added: "This includes groceries online and Argos fast track delivery.

“Our convenience stores and petrol filling stations will be open from 17:00 until 22:00 to allow our customers to pick up essential items, while select stores in central London will open to serve those attending the funeral in person."

Supermarket chain Aldi said all its stores across the UK would close as a mark of respect, and to allow staff to "pay tribute" to the Queen.

Primark has also confirmed that it will closing its stores. A spokesperson said: "Our stores, depots and Head Office in the UK will be closed on Monday 19 September to give our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects and watch the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II. We will reopen as normal on Tuesday 20 September."

All WH Smith's High Street stores will be closed for the whole day, while WH Smith travel stores will be closed at least for the duration of the funeral.

Homebase said: "We join the country in mourning the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II and will be closing our stores on the day of her funeral, Monday 19 September."

It added that the decision had been made "so our team members can choose to mark her incredible life of service".

B&Q said it would close all its UK stores "as a mark of respect" on the day of the Queen's funeral. It said the decision would also offer its staff "the opportunity to pay their respects".

Click and collect and home delivery services will also be temporarily suspended on the day, B&Q added.

The UK's second biggest garden centre chain, Blue Diamond Garden Centres, also said it would close.

 

"Following the recent announcement of the state funeral for HM Queen Elizabeth II on Monday 19 September, as a mark of respect, we have taken the decision to close all of our garden centres and restaurants on this day," it tweeted.

It added that it would "reopen as normal" on the following day.

The Royal Mail has announced that its postal services will be suspended on the day on the day of the funeral

However, Fullers Group - which has over 400 pubs across the country - said that it expected its pubs to be open on Monday.

A spokesperson told the BBC: "We anticipate that Fullers pubs will be opening on the day of the funeral to provide a place for people to come together and pay their respects."

It has also been reported that Lidl will also be closing on the day.