[title]
After 70 years on the throne, the sad announcement was made on Thursday September 8 that Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, had died at the age of 96.
The announcement has set off a series of carefully planned official events, marches and memorials. Plans are currently being put in place for her state funeral, which will take place on Monday September 19. She will be the first British monarch to have her funeral at Westminster Abbey since 1760 and her coffin will lie in state for five days beforehand (Wednesday September 14 to Monday September 19) in Westminster Hall where the general public will be able to walk past the coffin to pay their respects.
As well as changes to strike action and transport services, many major events will be postponed and landmarks closed as a mark of respect on Monday September 19. Here’s a list of all the major London events and landmarks that will be closing and cancelled on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
Museums and galleries
Alfred Waterhouse’s Romanesque cathedral of nature, the Natural History Museum, will be closed all day on Monday September 19, as will its neighbour the Science Museum. The art world also pays its respects on Monday, The National Gallery, Tate Modern and Tate Britain all closed too.
Tourist attractions
Queen Elizabeth II was a patron of London Zoo. As a mark of respect, the London landmark and its Whipsnade sister site announced that both will close on Monday. ZSL said in a statement: ‘Her passion for animals will be remembered and her legacy will live on as we continue to work for a world where wildlife thrives.’
Royal Historic Palaces will be closing all six of its sites for the day of the state funeral, including the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace.
Sporting fixtures
Most football fixtures are expected to go ahead this week following the postponement of the Premier League and the EFL last weekend as a mark of respect for the Queen. Chelsea and Tottenham’s midweek European fixtures, Tottenham vs Leicester City on Saturday, Brentford vs Arsenal on Sunday and Everton vs West Ham also on Sunday are all confirmed to be going ahead.
There are, however, some notable changes to the schedule owing to police resources being stretched across the country ahead of the funeral on Monday. Crystal Palace’s Saturday away match against Brighton had already been postponed as a result of now-cancelled rail strikes, while Arsenal’s midweek Europa League clash with PSV and Chelsea's Sunday away game against Liverpool have also been moved.
Live music
Boiler Room London and Pxssy Palace’s new festival Overflo have both been forcibly called off this weekend. Schefuled to take place on Saturday and Sunday respectively, they will now both be postponed to later dates TBC.
Theatre
The Society of London Theatres hasn’t updated its guidance to say theatres are obliged to close for the funeral bank holiday. But it seems that most of the major ones will: pretty much every West End show with a Monday 19 performance – including ‘Hamilton’, ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ – will be closing, while many other major institutions like the National Theatre, Old Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe will be joining them, and plenty of smaller theatres too. It’s perhaps easier to focus on which theatres will be open: based well away from the day’s events, the likes of the Royal Court, the Yard, the Bush and Southwark Playhouse all seem to be pressing ahead, though it’s vital you double check before heading out.
Cinemas
Many major cinema chains will be pausing their regular programming on Monday. Branches of Odeon, Picturehouse and Cineworld will be closing their theatres for the whole day, while Curzon cinemas will be screening the Queen’s funeral for free. Prospective viewers should note that prior booking is required and normal catering facilities will be closed.
The UK release of George Clooney and Julia Roberts romcom ‘Ticket To Paradise’ has been postponed from Friday September 16 to Tuesday September 20, the day after the funeral.
London Fashion Week
London’s bi-annual fashion week will still go ahead between Friday September 16 and Tuesday September 20, albeit with significant changes, including cancellations of major catwalk shows over the weekend. Raf Simons’ show on Friday and Burberry’s Saturday show will no longer go ahead, while parties and other non-essential events have also been cancelled and the British Fashion Council has recommended that shows on the day of the funeral be rescheduled.
Bars and restaurants
Most major pub chains are expected to stay open on Monday, including all 400 branches of Fuller’s in the UK.
McDonald’s is the first major eatery chain to announce its closure, with all UK branches shut from midnight to 5pm on Monday.
Hawksmoor has announced the closure of its Guildhall restaurant on Monday, though its other six London restaurants will remain open.
Shops and supermarkets
Virtually every major supermarket chain in the UK has announced that it will be closed on the day of the funeral, including Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, Iceland and Lidl. Branches of Asda will also be closed until 5pm, while most branches of M&S will be closed from 10am, excluding four branches near Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
The long list of high street retailers also closing their doors on Monday includes Argos, Poundland, John Lewis, Primark and B&Q.
Will there be a bank holiday to mark the death of the Queen?
Here’s every country Queen Elizabeth II visited in her 70-year reign.