Flags flew at half-mast at the company’s headquarters on Friday morning, with business leaders paying tribute to the Queen in person and via social media and offering condolences to the royal family. Fortnum & Mason stopped the clock at its Piccadilly store, while John Lewis said proceeds from flowers sold in its London stores would go to charity. The historic Lutine Bell housed in the Undertaking Room at Lloyd’s of London was rung once on Thursday to mark the Queen’s death. Lloyd’s said it would “cherish the memories of her visits” over the decades. Elsewhere in the city, Shore Capital said it would not release the firm’s investigation Friday morning as a mark of respect for “the loss of one of the world’s most gracious, expert and dedicated servants.” The London Stock Exchange announced that markets will open as normal on Friday and close at regular hours. Russell & Bromley closed its stores on Friday as the nation mourns the Queen © Carlos Jasso/AFP/Getty Images Corporate events have been canceled or postponed. Organizers of London Fashion Week sent an email to attendees saying “non-core business events” such as parties and openings must be cancelled. Burberry has confirmed it has pulled its London Fashion Week show, which was scheduled for September 17. Russell & Bromley, the footwear chain, also closed its stores on Friday. The CBI, the British business group, canceled its annual dinner in Scotland on Thursday. Tony Dunker, director general of the CBI, said: “During an unprecedented 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II served the nation with distinction as an unwavering example of the British values of honour, dignity and resilience. She dedicated her life to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, providing compassionate and inspirational leadership during the many challenges of her long reign.” Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK investment platform, said it would suspend social media and other marketing activities during the mourning period, “in light of the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”. Companies also used their social media channels to pay tribute to the royal family. Google’s colorful logo turned gray to mark the Queen’s death. Marks and Spencer tweeted: “We join the Royal Family and the nation in their grief and offer the Royal Family our deepest condolences.” Tesco tweeted: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the Royal Family as we mourn the loss of our longest serving British monarch. We are indebted to her dedicated service to this country.” Sainsbury’s said the Queen “was a truly remarkable woman and an inspiration to so many people”. Sporting events that were due to take place over the weekend have also been postponed. England and Wales World Cricket canceled play in the second Test between England and South Africa at the Oval, while the BMW PGA Championship golf event suspended play at Wentworth. Rugby matches in England and Scotland due to take place at the weekend have been cancelled. Horse racing – a sport the Queen was both a fan of and involved in as a breeder and owner – was halted on Thursday and Friday. The Premier League has postponed all football matches due to be played this weekend, adding further congestion to an already busy schedule around the Qatar World Cup. Unions called off the strike, canceling strikes planned for postal and rail workers. Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communications Workers Union, said the union had decided to call off the second day of a 48-hour strike at Royal Mail on Friday out of respect for the Queen’s “service to her country and family”. Rail workers’ union RMT has suspended rail strike it had planned for September 15 and 17. planned industrial action for September to respect the period of mourning. The Trade Union Confederation, the umbrella body for the UK trade union movement, has yet to confirm whether it will go ahead with its annual meeting, which was due to be held in Brighton next week. Video: Queen Elizabeth II: a long life of duty and service Daniel Thomas, Jonathan Eley, Ian Smith, Delphine Strauss, Sam Agini, Annachiara Biondi, James Pickford
