From a workers’ strike to a bankers’ hike, Queen’s funeral expected to bring UK to a halt

As Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral cortege makes its way around the United Kingdom, drawing huge crowds everywhere it goes, the deference being exhibited in person is matched by that expected to be shown on 19th September.

A strike by the Royal Mail workers planned for that day, for example, no longer going ahead,.

Train drivers were meanwhile planning their own strike on the 15th, but that was also called off

Perhaps most remarkable is the Bank of England’ decision to postpone its widely expected interest rate hike, following a historic increase by the European Central Bank just last week, saying that “in light of the period of national mourning”, the Monetary Policy Committee’s decision would now be announced on 22nd September.

Immediate Reaction

The day after the longest-serving monarch in British history passed away, many businesses felt that the only dignified thing to do was simply to remain shut. And so they did, from historical monuments like the Tower of London to family destinations like London Zoo and Legoland Windsor.

Not even the fashion world could bring itself to make the show go on – Selfridges and French Connection shut their doors, while luxury brands Burberry and Raf Simons cancelled their fashion week shows.

The sporting world was no less affected, as the Premier League, golf, horse racing, and innumerable other fixtures were postponed as a final salute to the woman they, like 94 per cent of all humans alive today, had always known to be Queen.