Queen Elizabeth II died yesterday. She was 96. Her son Charles succeeds her as the new king of the United Kingdom and will be known as King Charles III.
The country will observe 12 days of mourning, and as a mark of respect, the English Premier League this weekend could be postponed. The Premier League has yet to make an announcement regarding the matter.
Other sporting events that will be postponed include the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (cricket), Tour of Britain (cycling) and the Scottish Rugby Union matches.
While the UK and Commonwealth nations mourn, the possible postponement presents a new predicament to an already crowded fixtures list – with the FIFA World Cup in November-December disrupting leagues all over Europe.
A keen lover of horses, Queen Elizabeth II also witnessed England’s most significant achievement in football during her 70-year reign when she presented England captain, Sir Bobby Moore, with the Jules Rimet trophy after the team won the 1966 World Cup (main image).
Last year, on the eve of the 2020 Euro Championships – postponed by a year due to Covid-19 – she sent a message to England boss, Gareth Southgate.
“Fifty-five years ago, I was fortunate to present the World Cup to Bobby Moore and saw what it meant to the players, management and support staff to reach and win the final of a major international football tournament.
“I want to send my congratulations and that of my family to you all on reaching the final of the European Championships, and send my good wishes for tomorrow with the hope that history will record not only your success but also the spirit, commitment and pride with which you have conducted yourselves,” she said.
Sadly, for her and Southgate, England lost the final on penalties to Italy.
The queen was also a regular at FA Cup finals in her youth and presented the 1965 trophy to Liverpool captain Ron Yeats. That was the first time the Reds got their hands on the famous trophy.
Queen Elizabeth II was said to be an Arsenal supporter, like her mother, but did not confirm nor deny the rumour as she wanted to be a neutral supporter.
It was fitting that the London club won its opening Europa League match against Zurich last night.
However, a minute’s silence in her memory before the start of the second half – confirmation of her death came after kickoff – was interrupted by booing.
The booing of the national anthem – God Save the Queen – has been on the rise of late, although more as a protest against the government’s ineptness in its fight against Covid-19, numerous scandals, and the rising cost of living, rather than against the queen personally.
She remained a popular figure, although there have been plenty of criticisms against the rest of her family.
Rest in peace, Queen E.
