Queen Elizabeth II: Southampton boat show to stop for state funeral
- Published
The event returned last year after being cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic
A boat show is set to go ahead as planned, but organisers say it will be shut on the day of the Queen's funeral.
Southampton International Boat Show will be held in the city from 16-25 September.
However, organisers confirmed it will not open on 19 September - the day of the Queen's state funeral in Westminster Abbey.
The decision was "a mark of our deepest respect" for the Queen and the Royal Family, they said.
The event, in its 53rd year, showcases maritime businesses and promotes the water sports sector.
The decision to stop it for the day next Monday comes as a number of other events have also been cancelled following the Queen's death in Balmoral last Thursday.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston paid tribute to Her Majesty, describing her as "utterly fabulous"
Meanwhile, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world, has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Portsmouth-based sailor met the monarch several times.
'Put people at ease'
On meeting Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace after returning from his voyage he said: "There was a large number of guests so her time was shared between everyone, but she was very natural in how she carried herself.
"I was acutely aware of how she put people at ease - before long she and I were chatting like we had known each other for years."
His final encounter with the Queen came in 2016, when the pair met at his old school, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
"Her Majesty was utterly fabulous, I think she genuinely spoke to everyone during that lunch break and you could see on her face just how much pleasure it gave her to chat with people.
"She took a genuine interest in everyone, which will have made such precious memories for so many young people.
"There was so much adoration and respect for her, no matter where she went", he said.
Elsewhere in the UK, sporting fixtures have been postponed while Macmillan Cancer Support, of which King Charles is patron, cancelled four of its Mighty Hike fundraising walks.
