A planned strike by Royal Mail workers on Friday was called off after the Queen’s death. Members of the Communications Workers Union were to continue their 48-hour strike in a dispute over pay and conditions. The railway strikes planned for September were aborted. The train drivers’ union Aslef had set a strike date for Thursday, September 15. The Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA) had planned strike action on Monday 26 September. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has postponed its annual conference due to be held in Brighton from Sunday for four days.
Theaters and art galleries
Cultural institutions also closed their doors, with the National Gallery closing and the Royal Opera House withdrawing a performance of Don Giovanni. The BBC has canceled the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, where the Queen was patron, as a mark of respect following her death. In a statement it said: “Following the very sad news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, as a mark of respect we will not be going ahead with Prom 71 on Friday 9 September or the Last Night of the Proms on Saturday 10 September.”
Churches
Westminster Abbey has announced it will be closed to tourists following the monarch’s death, but will be open for prayer, reflection and worship. Meanwhile, across the province churches were encouraged to “smother” their bells, a rite reserved for the death of the monarch, diocesan bishop or sitting vicar.
TV
Filming for the sixth season of The Crown, the popular TV series about the Queen’s life, has been halted out of respect for Her Majesty’s death.
Courts
Courts in England and Wales will remain open during the mourning period. They are expected to hear only urgent matters on the day of the funeral itself. This article is updated with the latest information.
