During Saturday’s Premier League fixture with Manchester City, pre-match entertainment, music and handshakes were removed while both clubs joined in a minute’s silence, before a live performance of the National Anthem by Samantha Oxborough. Flags outside Molineux remained at half-mast, while both sets of players and officials wore black armbands.
Ahead of kick-off, Wolves head coach Bruno Lage paid tribute to Her Majesty: “Football must sometimes take a back seat when a major event happens that sends shockwaves throughout the world, and that happened last weekend following the announcement of the Queen’s sad passing.
“I have lived in this country for many years now, so I have seen how much the Queen was respected and loved by the people in the UK, but even back in Portugal, when anyone said ‘The King’ you would think of the King of Spain, and if anyone said ‘The Queen’ you would think of the Queen of England. She meant that much to everyone in all corners of the world.
“She was a magnificent leader and a wonderful figurehead for this country as she guided the UK through some very difficult times during the last 70 years. Being a leader can be a very difficult task, but for someone who did not choose to be in the situation she found herself in at a very young age and having to step up and show the leadership she has done during her life, must be commended.
“I have always respected Her Majesty for her strong sense of duty and her determination to dedicate her life the people here in the UK and across the commonwealth and this weekend’s match gives us all the opportunity to pay tribute and remember the extraordinary life she led.”
Captain Ruben Neves said: “Last week was a sad period for this country and today is an opportunity for us to pay our respects to the Queen Elizabeth II.
“We all know she was a very important person to everyone in England, and since I’ve been here, I’ve felt that. Every time I went to London, there were always people around Buckingham Palace, the monarchy is iconic in England, and here at Wolves we all have a lot of respect for her and the royal family.”
A period of National Mourning will come to an end this evening, although the Royal Family will continue their own period of Royal Mourning following Her Majesty’s state funeral which will take place at 11am.
Rest in peace, Your Majesty. God Save The King.
