Big Ben failed to bong after the minute's silence for the Queen because of a 'technical issue'

• Big Ben failed to chime last night after the UK observed a minutes silence in memory of the Queen.
• A Parliament spokesperson said it was due to a "minor technical issue that has now been resolved."

Big Ben failed to chime on Sunday night at the end of the minute's silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II due to a "minor technical error."

The iconic bell, situated in to the Houses of Parliament's clock tower, stayed silent on September 18, an issue the UK Parliament said the issue has "now been resolved."

A Parliament spokesperson told The Metro that further tests would be done to ensure the planned tolling would take place during Monday's state funeral procession.

Britain's Ministry of Defence published an article on Friday on how the army is working hard to ensure Big Ben chimes as expected.

"At the stroke of 12.15 p.m. as silence falls across London, it is precisely at that moment when Army precision kicks in with flawless accuracy – practised to perfection – so the procession can begin against the chimes of the world's most famous clock," the article said.

Big Ben is often used to refer to the entire structure but it is actually only the bell. The tower itself is called the Elizabeth Tower.

The name was changed from the Great Tower in 2012 to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.