I think broadcaster Huw Edwards explained the pomp and traditions around a State Funeral to me better than anyone else has.
He said a few days ago that a State Funeral is designed to be SEEN .
That resonated with me
It makes sense.
The lying in state, the Grandchildren’s vigil and the Queue ( which was a phenomenon all of its own) all had a theatrical, visual and ceremonial power of their own and in the case of the “ the queue” allowed the public to give a nod or a curtsy with their own faces joined in the spotlight.
I’m watching the tv now and will add to today’s blog as the morning progresses.
Justin Trediau has just arrived who , apart from King Felipe of Spain, must be one of the most attractive world leaders.
The gun carriage has just left WestMinster hall amid a blast of bagpipers
The hair on my neck , stands up.
But I’m proud to say , it’s all been done incredibly well,
I have my highlights……Princess Anne and Sophie, Countess of Wessex have shone out as did the grandchildren’s vigil, not an easy undertaking in anyone’s mind and Charles will be a safe park of hands as king and has already stamped his way forward with his impromptu walkabouts and blustery pen gate.
It’s been a funny old week all told
Like I said, I’m glad it’s all over
Ps I hope Charles keeps the Queen’s personal bodyguard Major Thomson has proved to be a bit of on line celebrity
It's been magnificent up to now.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the lone hair on your neck standing up. 😉
It all stood up x
DeleteJussy Trudeau is so handsome. I think French President Macron likes him in some special way. It is all going so well and we are now past all the religious stuffs.
ReplyDeleteNow that WOULD complicate international affairs
DeleteI've been watching since 5 am. The playing of God Save the Queen just tears at my heartstrings.
ReplyDeleteIt’s been a rollercoaster day for sure
DeleteI hope you are ok John - it's all quite overwhelming x
ReplyDeleteI’m fine, like I said , I’m glad it’s over
DeleteNo-one does pomp and ceremony quite like us Brits. Even I have shed a few tears over the past few days. Seeing the Queen's grandchildren on their vigil was a heart-breaking moment. xx
ReplyDeleteYes that almost moved me the most
DeleteI am watching on MSNBC this morning in Colorado, however, I will not watch all day long!
ReplyDeleteThe pomp and circumstance of the ritual is overwhelming!
Yes you can have too much of it
DeleteIt is all quite overwhelming but absorbing. Today is the crescendo for me in which has been an emotionally tiring week. I hope that my tears would have dried up before tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI have learned so much about our history in just ten days l why certain rituals are in place , and Thor meaning
DeleteThe queens pony Emma and her corgis have been bought out to say goodbye l am in bits so deeply personal and so moving. God bless you your majesty as you make your final journey to be with those who have gone before you. ❤️👑 xx
ReplyDeleteIf I was the queen I would have had the corgies in the hearse but I’m all show and no substance
DeleteIt would be too hard on the doggies and the handlers would be there. As for the handsome pallbearers, it said they were from the Queen's Grenadier Guards. And imho, yes chosen for their handsome looks, why not. It's a pageant! Not a jug-ear or freckle to be seen. But so beautifully produced to honor the Queen. Did you notice the perfection of the lined up military, all those immaculate white hats in line. Hours and even years of practice went into the event today. The Coronation to come will also be a show, I imagine, even if Charles claims he is paring down.
DeleteTrediau = Trudeau? sp? It must have been an emotional day for your country. Now a new era begins and the world will see if Charles can engender the respect we all had for his mother in later years.
ReplyDeleteApologies, it was lazy writing
DeleteIt was quite a pageant! I found parts of it very touching, but like you I'm glad it's over.
ReplyDeleteI wondered if the powers-that-be chose those specific pallbearers because they're all so ridiculously handsome.
And major Thomas walked directly behind the 4oyals so was always in shot
DeleteEmma the pony with Mr Pendry and the corgis broke me 💔😢
ReplyDeleteAnd the line of cooks and ordinary staff all lined up
DeleteSo so so! Proud of my Nation today. What a send off, just Magnificent Majesty. Thank you for everything you have done and the legacy you leave behind . Tess x
ReplyDeleteWe do these things so very well indeed
DeleteSpeaking as a non-royalist - though NOT hysterically so - I was profoundly impressed, but not surprised, at how well everything went. In fact I watched almost continuously for about 8 hours, with several lump-in-the-throat moments. Quite magnificent!
DeleteI watched through the night here in New Zealand. Nana nap time today. Loved her pets being part of it.
ReplyDeleteSleep well
DeleteWatching from the States, it has been an incredibly moving experience watching the coverage. What a life she lived
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you enjoyed the watch
DeleteI know he’s delightful
ReplyDeleteGot my wires crossed here and thought for a moment that that was where you had discovered the list of things!
ReplyDeleteI've waited till the funeral was over as I didn't want this to seem disrespectful. We had our trip to Kew gardens organised for Friday staying overnight at Richmond. I did query the timing but was reassured by our daughter, it being miles outside central London. We had booked our Covid boosters for Friday am. After having our jabs the Doctor asked what we had planned for the rest of the day. I said we were off to London to Kew. Hubby said it had been on his bucket list for years. It was only much later I realised that it sounded like we were going to London to queue, and that hubby had been waiting for the Queen to die! OMG talk about mortified! We watched the funeral today, I kept getting something in my eye. 😢😢 I shall miss HMTQ.
ReplyDeleteKees lovely but not that colourful at the moment due to the drought
DeleteAs it happens, it was lovely and has recovered quickly from the drought. I found the walking far too much, so had to have two trips around the gardens on the little train. It was also crowded, the afternoon was jam packed. I don't remember my head touching the pillow that night.
ReplyDeleteLol I’m glad u loved it
DeleteMy heartbreak was when they removed the crown from her coffin.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing day; one we will never forget. The UK shown in her very best light the world over.
ReplyDeleteIt was a magnificent day, a State Funeral is so rare and this one was enjoyed by billions all around the world. The Queens pony and Corgis standing watching were very poignant.
ReplyDeleteI was not going to watch the funeral but once I had glanced at the TV I was hooked and glued to the screen for hours. The four lads who carried the coffin (the "bearer party") deserve a medal in my book. All in all it's one of the few things that has made me feel proud to be British again, such a change from the sordid politics that we have had to endure from our leaders lately.
ReplyDeleteHere in Saskatchewan, we would've had to get up around 3 a.m. to watch the funeral live. I'm sure many did. I've been a little verklempt myself at times, even without being a royal-watcher. My son Emil, who is in some ways still a little boy, has had an interest in QE since he was a child and always thought one day he'd go to England and meet up with her. Otherwise she'd be missing out, don't ya know.
ReplyDeleteJustin Trudeau was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and that seems to be enough to generate a ridiculous amount of bullshit and hatred toward him from the rightwing nutbars in this country. Especially in the West, where I live... a bastion of conservative dumbthink if ever there was one. He's the leader of the federal Liberal party and although I've always been a left-leaning voter, he and his MPs have done a damn fine job during the pandemic and I like a lot of other things his government has done and is doing. I may well vote Liberal next time if I think it could keep him in his position longer. The more the haters hate, the more I like the guy.
-Kate