Britain On Pause For 10 Days Of Mourning

Funeral at Westminster Abbey on Sept 19

- Ben Glaze And Russell Myers

Britain today entered 10 days of mourning as Union Flags were lowered to half mast.

The official period began at midnight and will last until the Queen's funeral, expected to take place on Monday, September 19.

The UK has been plunged into a grief-filled limbo as it battles to adjust to life without the monarch who has reigned for 70 years.

Many sporting organisations are expected to cancel their weekend fixtures, with Scottish football expected to be shut down as a mark of respect. UEFA are in discussions over next week's European games involving UK clubs at home, including Rangers, though Celtic and Hearts' away matches are expected to go ahead.

Schools will stay open as usual but non-urgent government business such as routine announcements, press releases and ministerial visits, will be suspended.

Prime Minister Liz Truss hosted a 9pm "operational meeting" of ministers and officials last night in order to discuss plans for the coming days.

Departments represented at the Downing Street summit included the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office. Leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt was also in attendance, along with a senior police chief and top courtiers from the Royal Household.

Regular meetings chaired by Cabinet Office Minister Nadhim Zahawi are due in the next 10 days as well.

Officials are braced for hundreds of thousands of mourners to descend on the streets of London to pay their respects to the Queen in the coming days.

Road closures and lengthy diversions, especially around Central London, are likely. The Commons is due to sit today with planned debates expected to be shelved so that MPs can pay tribute to Her Majesty from noon until 10pm.