Queen Elizabeth II was a passionate supporter of sport and recreation, with her love for equestrianism especially well known. The Alliance was proud to have Her Majesty serve as Patron to the organisation from 1952 until 2017.
She was a notable figure head for a number of sports biggest moments over the last 60 years, including the first ever staging of the Queen’s Baton Relay for the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff and her role at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Dame Janet Beer, Chair of the Sport and Recreation Alliance said: “On behalf of all at the Sport and Recreation Alliance I wish to send sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.
“Queen Elizabeth II was an advocate of a wide range of the sports and activities connected to our members and her passion for supporting communities has underpinned much of the work that we and our members do. We are committed to preserving and strengthening that legacy in the coming years.”
Latest Guidance
The government has now published National Mourning Guidance which includes information relating to major events and sports.
As the guidance notes, there is no formal obligation for organisations to postpone or cancel sporting fixtures or events, at either elite or grassroots level, between now and the State Funeral.
It has been announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's State Funeral will take place on Monday 19 September - with further details here. It has also been confirmed that this day will be marked as a national bank holiday.
The National Mourning Guidance references the State Funeral and advises:
As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral.
They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations. If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions.
As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.
Decisions will remain at the discretion of individual organisations and sports to consider how they should proceed during the mourning period.
In addition, it has been confirmed that the National Anthem does, from demise, revert to "God Save the King". For events which include a medal ceremony involving the raising of the Union Flag, the College of Arms advise that it can alternatively be flown dressed with a black mourning ribbon attached to either the top of the flagpole or the top of the flag. Further flag flying guidance can be found here.
Story updated on Saturday 10 September
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