National mourning

Strikes cancelled, Proms called off, government business cut back and sport likely to be suspended

Cultural establishments were closing their doors yesterday as the country entered a period of national mourning after the death of the Queen.

BBC Proms announced the cancellation of Prom 71 today and the Last Night of the Proms on Saturday. The National Gallery also shut its doors and The Royal Opera House pulled its performance of Don Giovanni. Even the filming of the sixth season of The Crown was expected to stop out of respect.

Meanwhile, postal and rail strikes were cancelled and Government business has been scaled back to essentials, with a pause on policy announcements – though measures to implement the new energy price freeze will still progress.

The sporting schedule for Friday is set to be suspended, with cancellations also expected on Saturday.

Churches were being encouraged to “muffle” bells, a rite reserved for the death of the monarch, the bishop of the diocese, or the incumbent vicar.

Flags were lowered to half mast across the country. Public buildings will continue to function and the machinery of government continues. One drive that will continue is implementing the energy price freeze. Legislation will need to be passed to take effect before the start of October.

Liz Truss, the Prime Minister, held a meeting with Cabinet ministers, police leaders and representatives of the Royal Household to discuss arrangements for the coming days.

MPS’ tributes are expected to be made in Parliament from this lunchtime, into tomorrow in a special sitting.

A planned strike by Royal Mail workers today has been called off. Members of the Communication Workers Union were to continue a 48-hour walkout in a dispute over pay and conditions. The Transport Salaried Staffs Association also called off railway strikes being prepared for this month.

England’s series-deciding third Test against South Africa loses a day’s play and golf at Wentworth was cancelled. Premier League and Football League bosses are yet to confirm whether they will move Saturday’s games. Horse racing, which had a close association with the Queen, was the first sport to confirm there would be no meetings at all.

The mayor of Paris announced that the lights on the Eiffel Tower would be turned off as a mark of respect.