The UK’s largest financial services brands paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this morning, the day after her passing was officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
The world’s longest-serving monarch died yesterday at her Scottish country residence in Balmoral. Markets remain open today, though there is no doubt an atmosphere of somber reflection has descended upon the City of London.
In a statement, Barclays Bank said the Queen had been a “remarkable, much-loved and hugely-respected figure," adding that it "extended our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family at this extremely sad time."
Fellow banking giant Lloyds Banking Group has likewise replaced its website header with a banner of the Queen as a mark of respect, and said online that it was with "great sadness" that it joined the nation in mourning her death.
Coutts, which counted the Queen among its famous private banking clients, said it was setting up a book of condolences for clients and colleagues to sign in tribute to Her Majesty.
"Coutts has had a lifelong connection with the Royal Family and we were privileged to have Her Majesty The Queen officially launch the opening of our 440 Strand building in 1978 and again in 2016," chairman Lord Waldegrave said.
"As a mark of respect, the Coutts flags at 440 have been taken down and we are flying the Union Jack flag at half-mast. We will set up a book of condolence in Garden Court, 440 Strand, where clients and colleagues will be encouraged to write their messages."
In the world of insurance, Legal & General, which is publicly listed on the UK FTSE 100, put away its iconic multi-coloured umbrella logo and replaced it with the silhouette of a closed umbrella instead.
Hargreaves Lansdown, meanwhile, suspended all social media operations, saying only that it was "deeply saddened" at the Queen’s passing.
In asset management, few brands chose to make statements, though one, Blackfinch Group, released a tribute from its chief executive, Richard Cook.
"We are deeply saddened at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," he said.
"As our monarch for the last 70 years, her commitment to the crown and her duties required her to constantly adapt through periods of vast political, technological and social change.
"We join with the country in mourning her great leadership and our thoughts are with her family at this time."
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, 1926-2022