The United Kingdom government has advised that there is “no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sports matches, or close entertainment venues” during the period of national mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth.
“This is at the discretion of individual organizations,” said guidelines released Friday by the Cabinet Office. “As a show of respect, organizations may consider canceling or postponing state funeral events or closing venues.”
“If sports competitions or events are scheduled for the day of the state funeral, organizations may wish to adjust the timings of the event so as not to clash with the timing of the funeral service and associated processions,” it added.
A period of national mourning for Queen Elizabeth II has now begun and will last until the end of the state funeral day, the cabinet said. The date for the Queen’s funeral has not yet been confirmed, according to a Buckingham Palace statement released earlier on Friday.
Football matches in the United Kingdom continued on Thursday evening, with predetermined moments of silence.
“As a sign of respect, and in keeping with the tone of national mourning, organizers may wish to observe a period of silence and/or play the national anthem at the start of events or sports matches, and players may wish to wear black armbands.”
The Cabinet Office guidance also noted that public museums, galleries and similar venues are not required to close, but may choose to close on the day of the Queen’s state funeral.
“As with other organizations, these institutions may wish to display or share images of past royal visits, especially if they are one of Her Majesty’s patronages,” the guidance said.