What's next for Liz Truss as Queen's mourning period upends plans

The new Prime Minister was ready to embark on his first weeks in Issue 10, but the Queen's death means his plans are on hold

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Queen Elizabeth II: Liz Truss pays tribute to Parliament

On her third day as Prime Minister, Liz Truss stood outside Downing Street to pay a somber tribute to the Queen, whose death she says marked the end of the 'Second Elizabethan Era' .

Ms Truss had started the day focusing on announcing her energy bill support scheme, which her team knew had the power to derail her premiership if it unfolded wrong.

The plan to freeze household bills at £2,500 for two years to help Britons struggling with sky-high energy costs has an estimated price tag of £150 billion, more than the combined cost of furlough and other pandemic support for businesses.

But she had barely spelled out the details when it became clear that something was going on that would push this massive announcement to the back of people's minds.

Notes began to be sent to the Prime Minister, Labor leader Keir Starmer and the Speaker of the House of Commons advising them that the Queen was seriously ill.

The Queen appointed Liz Truss as Prime Minister on Tuesday (

Picture:

PENNSYLVANIA)

Ms Truss was informed by the Cabinet Secretary at 4.30pm that the Queen had died, setting off a series of events which immediately upended her political plans.

A period of national mourning is underway.

During the 10-day period, the government will suspend all activities intended for the public, except for the most urgent works. Parliament is expected to rise after two days of tributes.