The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday, September 8, and we can expect to see some unusual changes over the next ten days as we enter a period of mourning
Many sporting and concert events have been cancelled or delayed, as well as a number of trains and postal strikes axed, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday (September 9). Buckingham Palace confirmed Her Majesty died peacefully at her Scottish residence Balmoral where she has spent the past few weeks.
Millions of people have paid tribute to the Queen, with football fans singing the national anthem at football matches and people laying flowers and paying their respects outside Buckingham Palace and Sandringham House. As the UK enters ten days of mourning, many changes will be made nationwide, according to elaborate plans known as Operation London Bridge the Mirror reports.
The radio playlists are expected to remain "calm" and "inoffensive" among the alteration, many of which are described here. DJ's changed to sombre tunes ahead of the announcement, which could have been the first indication for people in traffic that something was wrong, according to a report in the Guardian outlining the detailed plan. Other changes including the halting of TV comedy programme schedules.
Read More: Queen Elizabeth II has died at Balmoral, Buckingham Palace confirms
On the radio, however, producers know it is time to change the music genre to something sombre when a special blue light in the radio stations flashes ahead of a big announcement. Every station will have prepared music lists for the period of mourning, according to the report, so you might hear something different from the usual music.
The BBC will also be required to cancel all of its comedic programmings during the period of mourning, and male presenters will don black ties, according to the Sunday World. The Guardian report says: "When the news breaks, these lights will start flashing, to alert DJs to switch to the news in the next few minutes and to play inoffensive music in the meantime.
"Every station, down to hospital radio, has prepared music lists made up of “Mood 2” (sad) or “Mood 1” (saddest) songs to reach for in times of sudden mourning. If you ever hear Haunted Dancehall (Nursery Remix) by Sabres of Paradise on daytime Radio 1, turn the TV on,” wrote Chris Price, a BBC radio producer, for the Huffington Post in 2011. "Something terrible has just happened.”
At 6.31pm, Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Half an hour later, Charles, who has become King after the death of his mother, said: "The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”
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