The UK is in a period of official mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral yesterday, aged 96. The Queen's death will have an impact on a great number of things over the next few weeks.
One that people may have already noticed is the tone and content that we are seeing on the television. We could notice a change in the music that we hear on the radio as well, as many stations may opt for a more sombre tone while the nation is grieving, reports the Mirror.
Anyone who tuned into the BBC yesterday will have seen that regular programming was wiped. The news presenters at the BBC changed into black clothes for a special broadcast following the news that the Queen's doctors had become concerned for her health.
In the special broadcast, Huw Edwards announced the breaking news of the Queen's death having been seen wearing a black tie earlier in the day while covering Her Majesty's health. Many also noticed that the BBC website has scrapped its usual red theme and the site is instead filled with black banners.
Today, King Charles III has addressed the nation in person for the first time as our new monarch. He acceded to the throne immediately on the death of his mother.
According to the Sunday World, the BBC will be required to remove all of its comedy programmes during the mourning period, and male presenters will wear black ties. Radio playlists are also expected to stay 'calm' and 'inoffensive'. According to a report in the Guardian detailing the intricate plans, music may have been the first sign for people in traffic that something was wrong - as DJ's changed to sombre tunes ahead of the announcement.
When a special blue light in the radio station flashes, producers know it's time to switch up the music to something somber, ahead of a big announcement. In the report, it notes that every station will have prepared music lists for the period of mourning - meaning you may notice a change from the usual tunes.
The Guardian report says: "When the news breaks, these lights will start flashing, to alert DJs to switch to the news in the next few minutes and to play inoffensive music in the meantime. Every station, down to hospital radio, has prepared music lists made up of “Mood 2” (sad) or “Mood 1” (saddest) songs to reach for in times of sudden mourning."
"If you ever hear Haunted Dancehall (Nursery Remix) by Sabres of Paradise on daytime Radio 1, turn the TV on,” wrote Chris Price, a BBC radio producer, for the Huffington Post in 2011. "Something terrible has just happened.”
At 6.31pm, Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Half an hour later, Charles, who has become King on the death of his mother, said: "The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”
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