Queen Elizabeth funeral and looking forward

[NotUrsula]

Yeah our news here has shown them practicing right down to carry the same kind and weight of the coffin.

I think it's awfully tricky to move those coffins. They weigh so much more than normal because of their construction, and then that narrow head-and-foot configuration means that the pallbearers are not standing perfectly in line with one another. Add to that all the steps it is being carried up and down, and the fact that they are not holding onto the handles when they carry it. All of the weight is on the bearer's shoulders, and keeping the weight even while walking in that cross-linked fashion up and down steps has to be agonizing. (I do hope that those Guardsmen were able to put extra padding under their uniform jackets to help with that.)

I imagine that they have a "practice box" that is the shape of a coffin with the same kind of finish on the outside, and capable of being filled in a way that gives them the opportunity to practice with the exact weight of what they will have to carry for each funeral.

Speaking of which, apparently a full State Funeral was last done in 1965, so I imagine that the officers in charge of planning it had to go deep into records to get the details right. Definitely a major historical event.

 

[Turn the Page]

I think it's awfully tricky to move those coffins. They weigh so much more than normal because of their construction, and then that narrow head-and-foot configuration means that the pallbearers are not standing perfectly in line with one another. Add to that all the steps it is being carried up and down, and the fact that they are not holding onto the handles when they carry it. All of the weight is on the bearer's shoulders, and keeping the weight even while walking in that cross-linked fashion up and down steps has to be agonizing. (I do hope that those Guardsmen were able to put extra padding under their uniform jackets to help with that.)

I imagine that they have a "practice box" that is the shape of a coffin with the same kind of finish on the outside, and capable of being filled in a way that gives them the opportunity to practice with the exact weight of what they will have to carry for each funeral.

Speaking of which, apparently a full State Funeral was last done in 1965, so I imagine that the officers in charge of planning it had to go deep into records to get the details right. Definitely a major historical event.

I had thought the Queen Mother had a state funeral but I was incorrect. It was held at Westminster Abbey though. That is probably why I was confused.

 

[dvcgirl67]

Well, we have had Sky News on in the background all day. I don't have "cable" anymore, and recently dropped YouTubeTV as we rarely watched it. So, when the Queen passed this my first...."uh oh....what do we do....how can I follow events". Initially there were lots of outlets streaming for free, BBC, ITV and some others along with Sky News. Now it's down to Sky News....and then tomorrow for the funeral there are a bunch who will stream live for free, including our C-Span which will be live on regular YouTube. So I'll go back and forth I guess.

I weirdly feel the need to see it through....to watch the funeral live. I guess we're all feeling that this is truly the end of an era. For me, my grandfather fought in Europe during WWII, landed in Normandy and was wounded in Germany.....so it's all of the history of that time and the Queen playing a role during the war and then directly stepping up shortly thereafter. I think a lot of us are likely feeling that....with the passing of the Queen, we lose a bit more of our loved ones in a way. My husband and I have our third Airedale in 25 years...so we feel a bit of a kinship with the Brits there as well. I don't know what it is, kind of a bit of a heaviness that after tomorrow the world has to go on without her.

 

[mom2rtk]

They said today that Charlotte and George will be walking between William and Harry for the procession tomorrow.

I'm not watching live. I'll catch up with you guys when I'm up. I have too much to do during the day tomorrow to give up any sleep. Although I certainly understand the desire to do so. It would certainly feel right to do after getting up for the Charles/Diana wedding all those years ago.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

The details of the proceedings for tomorrow have just been released. The order of the ceremony details can be found on SkyNews and the BBC websites, Hello Magizine website and social media outlets.
Notably.. the “bearers” who follow the coffin include Prince George Wales and Princess Charlotte Wales, who will be just ahead of The Duke and Dutches of Sussex (as they are in the succession rankings). Lead by The King and Queen Consort.. Followed by Anne the Princess Royal and Husband Timothy Laurence.. Andrew.. The Wessexes Sophie & Edward.. Then The Prince and Princess of Wales.. The Children. The Sussexes.. the Earl of Snowdon, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

The tenor bell at the Abbey will toll once a minute for 96 minutes marking once for each year of the Queen’s life.

There will be readings and music that have been part of the many milestones and ceremonies over the Monarch’s life.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

From Hello Magazine.. all the details.

https://www.hellomagazine.com/royal...beth-funeral-order-of-service-music-readings/

 

[NotUrsula]

Apparently the pipe and drum regiment walked the route and practiced their music this morning at about 2:30am. That must have been really eerie for anyone within earshot.

 

[ronandannette]

The details of the proceedings for tomorrow have just been released. The order of the ceremony details can be found on SkyNews and the BBC websites, Hello Magizine website and social media outlets.
Notably.. the “bearers” who follow the coffin include Prince George Wales and Princess Charlotte Wales, who will be just ahead of The Duke and Dutches of Sussex (as they are in the succession rankings). Lead by The King and Queen Consort.. Followed by Anne the Princess Royal and Husband Timothy Laurence.. Andrew.. The Wessexes Sophie & Edward.. Then The Prince and Princess of Wales.. The Children. The Sussexes.. the Earl of Snowdon, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

The tenor bell at the Abbey will toll once a minute for 96 minutes marking once for each year of the Queen’s life.

There will be readings and music that have been part of the many milestones and ceremonies over the Monarch’s life.

I wonder why Margaret's son is in the processional and not her daughter?

Regarding "the children", I'd be very surprised if this included William's kids. I'd imagine it refers to her other grandchildren; Andrew's daughters, Anne's daughter and son and Edward's daughter and son.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

This one raises my eyebrows. By all accounts his relationship with Princess Margaret was never very happy and their divorce was extremely acrimonious. As hurtful as the denial of her marriage to Peter Townsend must have been, personally, my close family remaining friendly with my abusive ex would have hurt even worse.

Regarding "the children", I'd be very surprised if this included William's kids. I'd imagine it refers to her other grandchildren; Andrew's daughters, Anne's daughter and son and Edward's daughter and son.

I had similar thoughts when I read of the Earl of Snowden in the processional.. my first thought was - could there be another Earl? Edited.. Just realized that it’s the queens nephew.. Margaret’s son. I have read so much about tomorrow over the past few hours… it’s all running together and I’m missing key details - smh/lol

No.. it’s the Wales’ children all right… much too do over it on some tv coverage and it’s all over social media. Smh - they are so young to have such adult duties put upon them.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

From the official booklet for the service…


Dean’s Verger

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster

Pall Bearers, Pall Bearers

Lord Chamberlain, Earl Marshal

HER MAJESTY’S COFFIN surmounted by The Imperial State Crown, The Orb and The Sceptre and borne by the Bearer Party

The Queen Consort, THE KING

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Princess Royal

The Duke of York

The Countess of Wessex and Forfar, The Earl of Wessex and Forfar

The Princess of Wales, The Prince of Wales

Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales

The Duchess of Sussex, The Duke of Sussex

The Earl of Snowdon, Mr Peter Phillips

The Duke of Gloucester

Prince Michael of Kent, The Duke of Kent

Household of The former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall:

 

[Marrila]

I wonder why Margaret's son is in the processional and not her daughter?

Regarding "the children", I'd be very surprised if this included William's kids. I'd imagine it refers to her other grandchildren; Andrew's daughters, Anne's daughter and son and Edward's daughter and son.

The Prince and Princess of Wales along with Prince George and Princess Charlotte
are listed.
Following the Wales family will be the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

I think it's fine to have the two older children there. They will be with their parents. Their great grandmother lived a very long life.
This totally not the same as their father losing his very young mother.

 

[Turn the Page]

Hmm, interesting that Zara isn't in the bearer party while Peter is and the York sisters aren't either.

I'm sure it's a protocol thing.

 

[fla4fun]

Both of my grandfathers died the same year. My sister was eight and I was 13. We went to the funerals, but not to the viewing or any other associated gatherings. I think George and Charlotte are old enough to attend the funeral itself, especially since their dad will have a good understanding of what that entails when you’re young. I don’t think William would force them if they were unwilling, after his experience.

 

[ronandannette]

Both of my grandfathers died the same year. My sister was eight and I was 13. We went to the funerals, but not to the viewing or any other associated gatherings. I think George and Charlotte are old enough to attend the funeral itself, especially since their dad will have a good understanding of what that entails when you’re young. I don’t think William would force them if they were unwilling, after his experience.

Maybe, but when it comes to protocols, I don't think it matters a whit who is willing or not, even children. And this is nothing but my own opinion, but of all people, I doubt William will make waves by resisting protocols, in light of the whole Sussex situation.

 

[Turn the Page]

Both of my grandfathers died the same year. My sister was eight and I was 13. We went to the funerals, but not to the viewing or any other associated gatherings. I think George and Charlotte are old enough to attend the funeral itself, especially since their dad will have a good understanding of what that entails when you’re young. I don’t think William would force them if they were unwilling, after his experience.

Children always attended such things in my family. I was 11 when my uncle passed and we attended the viewing and everything else.

In that respect, I totally get George and Charlotte going to a family funeral.....but this is not a family funeral. I suppose if it were me I might have kept them home from the state funeral and maybe had them at the private burial service at Windsor which I think is to be more private. Fewer cameras and crowds and such. But I imagine the new Prince and Princess of Wales know their children better than any of us and can make the best decision for all involved.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Both of my grandfathers died the same year. My sister was eight and I was 13. We went to the funerals, but not to the viewing or any other associated gatherings. I think George and Charlotte are old enough to attend the funeral itself, especially since their dad will have a good understanding of what that entails when you’re young. I don’t think William would force them if they were unwilling, after his experience.

I attended my grandfather’s funeral as a nine year old.. but it was only an hour long if that (also an Anglican service).. the church services tomorrow will be double that and more, in a cathedral with 2000 guests. … it’s allot for many adults, let alone a 7 and 9 year old.

 

[Marrila]

I attended my grandfather’s funeral as a nine year old.. but it was only an hour long if that (also an Anglican service).. the church services tomorrow will be double that and more, in a cathedral with 2000 guests. … it’s allot for many adults, let alone a 7 and 9 year old.

Not sure about the 2+ hour funeral.
Everything I've read has listed a one hour service at Westminster Abbey.

There is a tight time schedule that day. I'll bet there will be extra effort to stay on time.

 

[NotUrsula]

It looks to me like (excepting young Louis and the even younger Sussex kids), it's all of Charles' siblings and immediate family, but after that it's reverting to the traditional males only, which was the standard practice until Anne decided to walk. The presence of the young Wales' may well be considered their first real formal introduction to the duties that they will be expected to perform for the rest of their lives; their parents surely had been preparing them for this eventuality as their Grannie got more and more frail. As the popular British saying of the Queen's generation might have had it, "Best to begin as we mean to go on."

All this kerfluffle about Harry has got to be driving Charles to distraction under the circumstances, because it is a very narrow PR tightrope to be walked. If Harry had never left the UK probably no one would be really paying much attention to him at all right now, but now he's become the prodigal son, and the focus on him is laser-sharp because royal disagreements draw viewership in the UK press. If Charles cut Harry's public role in this spectacle down to mere black-clad mourning bystander because he isn't a "working Royal", he never would hear the end of it, but if he publicly welcomes the prodigal fully back into the fold with open arms, he won't hear the end of that, either. It is a tough call at a tough time.

 

[Turn the Page]

Not sure about the 2+ hour funeral.
Everything I've read has listed a one hour service at Westminster Abbey.

There is a tight time schedule that day. I'll bet there will be extra effort to stay on time.

I did see that the service was to last an hour but I imagine the whole shebang, guests entering and being seated, procession to the Abbey, etc. etc., will last much longer than that. I also imagine that the children will be shuttled in by car at the last possible moment and hustled out at the first possible moment so I doubt they will be on camera for much more than an hour and fifteen minutes give or take.

As an aside, I saw a brief clip of the grandchildren's vigil from yesterday and I found it very moving. Even somewhat more so than the children's vigil from the day before though I can't quite say why.

 

[Turn the Page]

It looks to me like (excepting young Louis and the even younger Sussex kids), it's all of Charles' siblings and immediate family, but after that it's reverting to the traditional males only, which was the standard practice until Anne decided to walk. The presence of the young Wales' may well be considered their first real formal introduction to the duties that they will be expected to perform for the rest of their lives; their parents surely had been preparing them for this eventuality as their Grannie got more and more frail. As the popular British saying of the Queen's generation might have had it, "Best to begin as we mean to go on."

All this kerfluffle about Harry has got to be driving Charles to distraction under the circumstances, because it is a very narrow PR tightrope to be walked. If Harry had never left the UK probably no one would be really paying much attention to him at all right now, but now he's become the prodigal son, and the focus on him is laser-sharp because royal disagreements draw viewership in the UK press. If Charles cut Harry's public role in this spectacle down to mere black-clad mourning bystander because he isn't a "working Royal", he never would hear the end of it, but if he publicly welcomes the prodigal fully back into the fold with open arms, he won't hear the end of that, either. It is a tough call at a tough time.

I was very surprised to see Anne walking in the processional the other day and may I say good for her. I actually don't know a ton about her but would like to learn more. She strikes me as an amazing woman.

I have been seeing a lot of articles online about Harry and the drama over him wearing his military uniform and such the last few days. I have no idea how many of them are legitimate and how many are just clickbait type exagerating for dramatic effect but I saw an article just this evening talking about how Harry was so devastated regarding the ER insignia being removed from his uniform that he almost wore a morning suit to the vigil instead. Something about him wearing the uniform by special permission of the king but the ER insignia being removed as it signifies being in service to the queen and since stepping back from being a working royal he was no longer in service to the queen so it was removed.

I don't care if the story was totally made up clickbait or acccurate, either way it got a massive eye roll from me and I feel stupider having read it.