The Royal Opera House will be closed on the day of the state funeral
(Picture: John Walton/PA Archive)The UK was plunged into a state of national mourning following the Queen’s passing on Thursday, September 8, joining people across the globe who are remembering Her Majesty.
A bereavement time for Britons, lasting 10 days, will include official events, like the late monarch’s funeral and King Charles’s coronation, with both labelled national holidays.
Out of respect for this sombre period, and specifically on those momentous occasions, businesses around the UK may choose to stop business for the day – or longer.
And London’s art world is no exception, with many venues paying tribute to the Queen.
Which London theatres will be closed for the Queen’s death?
Theatres, museums, and galleries are under no obligation to close over the next 10 days.
According to guidance from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), theatre performances can continue on the night of the Queen’s death and during the 10-day mourning period.
Arts venues across London and the UK may observe a remembrance day when the date of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is announced– although individual establishments will differ in their policies.
A statement from the Cabinet Office said: “Public museums, galleries, or similar venues are not obliged to close during the national mourning period.
"Organisations may choose to close on the day of the state funeral, however, there is no obligation to do so, and this is at the discretion of individual organisations.
Dimmed lights and a minute-long silence will be accompanied by the national anthem at many venues, as tributes to the royal legacy pour in.
On Thursday, September 8, the Royal Opera House closed its doors and cancelled the opening night of Don Giovanni, and the Insights: Aida night.
Alex Beard, CEO of the Royal Opera House, said, “We are enormously saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her patronage of the Royal Opera House was a source of great pride to all our artists and staff, and her longstanding support for the arts was deeply appreciated.
“We send our sincerest condolences to all other members of the Royal Family at this very sad time for the whole country.”
The Opera House will also be shut on the day of the state funeral, the date of which has yet to be announced.
The Royal Shakespeare Company has confirmed it will organise a public screening of the Queen's funeral in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This will be a ticketed event open to everyone. Details to be confirmed in due course.
— Matt Hemley (@MattHemley) September 8, 2022
The BBC’s Last Night of the Proms and the Mercury Awards ceremony have also been cancelled.
Productions such as Hamilton, Mary Poppins, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Les Miserables have also come forward with messages of condolence and respect for the royals.
Outside London, the Royal Shakespeare Company has announced a public screening of the state funeral in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, in Stratford-upon-Avon, with the date to follow. All ages are welcome to the ticketed event.
Which London museums and galleries will be closed?
The Royal Collection Trust has closed galleries at Buckingham Palace and other estates. Their online ticket offices and telephone centres have been shut – with tickets to be refunded.
From September 9-16, the Royal Albert Hall – for which Queen Elizabeth II was patron – will shut completely.
The British Museum is planning to shut on the day of the Queen’s funeral, with all events cancelled during the mourning period.
The Tate Modern and all Tate galleries will join others in their closure on the national holiday.
On September 9 and 16, the V&A will close early, at 5.45pm, as a mark of respect.
The team said: “The trustees and staff of the Victoria and Albert Museum are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle.
“As the world mourns the loss of our much-respected and dearly beloved monarch, the V&A extends its heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, including our royal patron HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.”
