Whatever your thoughts on monarchy, wherever you live, if you are in a safe and comfortable spot and not dealing with war or natural disaster, you will be well aware of The Queen’s death and either following or avoiding the lead up to the funeral tomorrow. Though a sad time, it is also one of the greatest shows on earth, full of human interest from the folk in The Queue to the many royals, world leaders and assorted dignitaries arriving. If you get in a panic when you have a family gathering or visitors coming to stay, imagine the preparations for this get together. Of course plans are always in place for big events, but have to be tailored at the last moment down to the finest detail of diplomatically deciding who will sit next to whom.
However, the solemnity of the occasion does not stop me having irreverent thoughts. When will the Lego or Playmobil Royal Funeral sets be coming out? Think of all the colourful characters to collect.
Where do the royal family and all those other officials who dress up, keep all their uniforms?
Dipping in to the endless chat on the radio I heard a presenter talking to some important military person about the funeral procession. When he mentioned the Royal Canadian Mounted Police taking part she asked him if they were bringing their horses and he said he wasn’t sure! How would they bring them, but how could they not bring them? Would they have to borrow ponies from the local riding school?
It was feasible that I could have jumped on a train at Bournemouth, up to Waterloo Station and sauntered down to the South Bank to join The Queue, a long walk to the end of the queue, but not as long as the slow walk to finally cross the River Thames and approach Westminster. I am impressed by those who have gone and it seems most were making new friends and having quite a jolly time. When they interview those who come out after their few moments passing by the queen’s coffin they all seem to have found it an amazing, solemn experience that will stay with them forever. But I didn’t go, I never have gone to London for the big crowd events, I have enough trouble deciding what to wear or take for a normal day out.
If any of you have been to pay your respects in any part of the country during The Queen’s journey from Balmoral, tell us how it was. Or will you be watching the funeral tomorrow at home or perhaps on one of the big screens local authorities are putting up so people can watch together?
Times and Tides of a Beachwriter 
Although I live in the United States, I happened to be in England in 1977, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. I took the train from Great Yarmouth to London and joined the crush of people waiting for royal family to pass by in their ornate open carriages.
I will never forget seeing Queen Elizabeth, only a few feet away, waving and smiling at the adoring crowd. It was a great experience!
The crush of people, though, was almost suffocating at times. I heard on the news the following day that it was the largest crowd of people ever to gather in one place, in all of human history. I believe the estimate was six million people, if I remember correctly. I’m sure the crowds have grown since then.
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Well done Linda, if you had known how crowded perhaps you would not have gone and missed out on the experience. We were not long married and only went to the ‘street party’ in the back yard of the flats where we were living.
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it is quite a spectacle, a testament to how much the Queen was loved. personally, though, I can’t imagine waiting in such a long line…
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Well Jim, the whole day went off perfectly, but I’m still glad I did not venture up for the follow up to The Queue, which was of course lining the various routes for the processions.
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I’m glad it went off perfectly, I had little doubt it would not! and I am sure some people waiting in line never got inside the church…
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Good question about the RCMP’s horses! I don’t know the answer.
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Well the four mounted officers looked very smart and proud to be leading the whole procession. If I have it right, the Queen visited Canada more than any other country and called it her second home.
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Yes, she apparently visited Canada 22 times. It is a huge country, so that could be a reason it took so many visits. Good to hear the RCMP represented us well.
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Royal funeral sets—somehow I’ll bet someone has already tried to market this idea.
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Yes Pete, followed by coronation sets!
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I really enjoyed your post, particularly the irreverent bits. I am sure that HM, the monarch who helicoptered in with James Bond for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, would have appreciated those!
I am out of the country on a long trip and do feel sad that I am not there in person to pay my respects and witness this closing chapter of a great life, and a great piece of the UK’s history.
I couldn’t stand the crowds, though.
RIP and thanks.
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Thanks WWW, yes I would feel the same. Did you get a chance to watch any broadcasts?
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Yes – we managed to watch the whole thing until our unlimited internet ran out!
We’re in Croatia, where it appears that unlimited internet means 20GB at 4G, then fill your boots with a connection so weak you can’t even open an email!
Sadly, it dropped out just as HM arrived at St George’s chapel in Windsor. However, the Croatian weather did an amazing thing. Just at that point, we got a beautiful, full double rainbow! At least that feels like some closure. I do feel a bit like I’ve lost my mum. A constant in my life.
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My mother was the same age as the Queen though frailty came a little earlier and she died in 2020, but like the Queen her mind was tip top till the end.
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A blessing to keep your marbles. Mark’s mum lived until 96 and was mentally sharp, but sadly deteriorated physically. The Queen truly was an incredible lady.
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I’m going to keep my thoughts private, but I’m sure there will be some new dolls of King Charles III. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hello Pete, can we expect a post funeral blog?
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I am keeping my head down, Janet. I’m somewhat overwhelmed by Royalists. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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We Brits are rather good at the Pomp and Ceremony stuff and it does make a good spectacle. I suspect that if we were ever to become a Republic (I have no fixed views either way) we would miss State Pageantry – a motorcade doesn’t quite cut it somehow.
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Yes we would miss it.
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I’m in the Middle East, Janet – and yes, in the war zone – but for some reason, I feel a tug of sadness for her loss. I don’t follow politics, I don’t follow news for the UK, but still, hers is a loss felt all around.
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Hello Jina, thanks for your comments, yes lots of people all over the world seem to feel that way, perhaps the loss of the sense of stability and good The Queen brought.
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I watched it all. Her loss is felt deeply here in Canada. We had our own services here too in our capitol, Ottawa. Grand pageantry indeed, but she deserved it all. God rest her soul. ❤
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Thanks Debbie, commonwealth friend! Many of us do love grand pageantry and it is something everyone can share.
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Watched it all at home on PBS here in Maine USA. Beautifully done all around. Queen Elizabeth was so loved by all and will be long remembered.
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Hello Bette, so glad you were able to watch and enjoy.
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