How the UK’s museums also mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II

TENS of thousands of people gathered in London on September 19, the day of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. Many businesses and institutions were closed for the state funeral, including most museums in the United Kingdom.

An exceptional event called for exceptional measures. Almost all of the UK's museums were closed on Monday, September 19, to pay a final collective tribute to the Queen, who died at the age of 96.

Among them are the National Gallery, the Tate, the British Museum and the V&A, all in London, as well as the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh and the National Museum in Cardiff.

The country's museums describe this temporary closure as "a mark of respect" for the woman who was their sovereign for 70 years and 7 months. However, there is no requirement for them to do so.

The Cabinet Office has issued guidelines on how British institutions can observe this national period of mourning, which will end with the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

“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,” reads the advice. 

Since the announcement of the Queen's death, the entire country has come to a standstill. Many events and gatherings have been cancelled, including the Liberal Democrat Party's annual convention and even a previously planned transport strike.

Museums continued to operate, with the exception of the Queen's Gallery, located in Buckingham Palace. The other sites managed by the Royal Collection Trust have also closed their doors since the death of the monarch.

However, some British museums have rethought their role during this period of national mourning.

The Tate Modern, for example, has decided to remain open 24 hours a day to provide toilets for the thousands of people lining up to pay their respects to Elizabeth II's coffin in London's Palace of Westminster. Its galleries remain closed outside normal opening hours.

The Southbank Centre made the same decision. 

Other institutions offered their visitors a space to express their condolences over the monarch's passing. The Dorset Museum is collecting the public's memories and reflections in a book throughout the period of national mourning.

The book will then become part of the Museum's permanent collection. – ETX Daily Up, September 20, 2022