"Ridiculous decision": Mercury Prize blasted for postponing 2022 ceremony after Queen's death

Yesterday (8 September) evening the royal family announced that Queen Elizabeth II "died peacefully at Balmoral" earlier that day, and the 2022 Mercury Prize Award ceremony, which had already welcomed nominees and some attendees into London's Eventim Apollo, postponed the event shortly after, asking those already in the venue to leave by 7:30pm.

On socials, the Mercury Prize team wrote, "Tonight’s Mercury Prize event has been postponed at this time of great national sorrow. We know everyone involved in the Mercury Prize will understand."

"Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family at this very difficult time," the statement continued. "We will make an announcement regarding future arrangements as soon as we are able."

We will make an announcement regarding future arrangements as soon as we are able.

— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) September 8, 2022

The decision received some criticism on Twitter, with people calling it "utterly needless", a "ridiculous decision", a "shocking decision" and more.

Sad though the news is, this seems utterly needless. Thousands of people have travelled a long way at presumably great expense. No disrespect or anything intended, but surely a minute's silence would have sufficed.

— Vinylstore Jr (@Vinylstore_Jr) September 8, 2022

Ridiculous decision.

If football matches are still being played this should have gone ahead too. It doesn’t make any sense.

— argh oh why? (@BaldyRoy) September 8, 2022

One user pointed out the amount of food waste that would be caused by the postponement, but luckily Self Esteem stepped in to help get the guest meals donated to the local church and a Covent Garden restaurant to feed the homeless.

Shocking decision. So much needless waste from all the food and all that prepared for tonight plus people having to make arrangements again to come at a later date. Cancelling it isn't gonna bring her back, y'know

— el (@elbean_g) September 8, 2022

Really !!! With everyone there queuing ( including me !) could it not have gone ahead and screened on the Tv at a later date ?? Um yes the surprise woulved been gone but the expense that everyone has to get to these things just to be let down at the last minute ! Defies belief!

— Caroline (@luckymrslewis) September 8, 2022