Grieving Britain cancels cultural, sporting events

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has led to a slew of cancellations or postponements of high-profile national events, from concerts to fashion shows and Premier League matches.Official government advice published yesterday said there was “no expectation” that events be cancelled and all decisions were at the discretion of those involved.Nevertheless, organisers said they had taken the decision to cancel today’s traditional closing event of the BBC Proms, an eight-week series of daily orchestral classical concerts held predominantly at London’s Royal Albert Hall.The star-studded line-up for the rousing last concert included soprano Lise Davidsen and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and was to be led by BBC Symphony Orchestra principal guest conductor Dalia Stasevska.Yesterday evening’s prom was also cancelled.This year’s Proms had featured the newly-formed Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra – led by Canadian-Ukrainian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson – which included musicians who are now refugees and Ukrainian members of European orchestras.Organisers of the Mercury Prize, which recognises the best British or Irish album of the year, also opted to postpone the event, which had been due to take place on Thursday shortly after the official announcement of the Queen’s death.BBC Radio 2’s Live in Leeds music event was also cancelled.London Fashion week, which had been due to start next Friday, which had promised to offer the strongest September line-up since before the pandemic, took a hit with cancellations by two of its biggest names.Designer Raf Simons said he had decided to cancel his London debut show planned for next Friday.“As the country enters a period of official mourning, we will pause during this time of great sadness,” Simons said in a statement.“We will take this time to respect the legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her 70 years on the throne,” he added.Burberry also said its Spring/Summer 2023 runway show that had been due to take place on September 17 would not go ahead.