Queen Elizabeth funeral and looking forward

[mom2rtk]

I saw somewhere the Queen saying the crown weighed three lbs. She said it was challenging (my words) to keep it on her head during her Coronation.

DH said he heard something yesterday on the BBC coverage this crown is a newer one, and that the crown that they displayed in Scotland was older, because the Scots had hidden it at some point? I missed that story - but looked it up:

https://people.com/royals/queen-elizabeth-coffin-topped-crown-scotland/

More on the crowns (sorry about the paywall):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-f...ominent-role-late-queen-funeral-king-charles/

And an interesting article about the Queen’s coffin.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/ente...3/queen-elizabeth-coffin-funeral/10361021002/

Details About The Queen's Coffin​

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin was manufactured by a company called Henry Smith, which closed in 2005. The company was established in 1869 and manufactured caskets by hand until it closed down. As reported by the Telegraph, the queen's coffin was ordered and made more than 30 years before her death. It's the same company that provided the coffins for other well-known personalities including Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, actress and singer Diana Dors, musician Jimi Hendrix, and the queen's late husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

When Henry Smith closed, the company T Cribb & Sons took over, but records were lost in the transition and the exact date of manufacture couldn't be determined. Traditionally, royal coffins are made from English oak taken from the Sandringham estate. The exact details about Queen Elizabeth II's coffin are difficult to confirm, as they were lost with the records. What is known is that it took about a week for the coffin to be completed. Today, it is rare for coffins to be made of English oak, as the material is difficult to procure and will be too pricey. As an alternative, today's oak coffins are made from American oak.

The detailing on the coffin -- fitments, clasps, and handles -- was reportedly provided by the now-defunct company Newman Brothers, a coffin furniture manufacturer that was located on Birmingham's Fleet Street. The details were specifically designed for royal caskets, and the fitments were created to securely hold the orb, scepter, and crown on top of the coffin.

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...elizabeth-ii-s-30-year-old-coffin/ar-AA11KwtD

Thank you both! I find all of these details very interesting. I need to find a way to read the article behind the paywall so I can see the info on the crowns.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I do find a bit ironic(?) that, because of protocols/tradition, the only two immediate members of the Royal Family that actually saw active military duty were the only two that weren’t in uniform.

Yup. Same at Philip's funeral.

 

[SirDuff]

Yup. Same at Philip's funeral.

None of them wore military uniforms to that funeral.

 

[CdnCarrie]

None of them wore military uniforms to that funeral.

View attachment 702371

Decision was made not to wear uniforms for the exact point you made - the 2 actual vets who saw combat could not wear them.

 

[SirDuff]

Decision was made not to wear uniforms for the exact point you made - the 2 actual vets who saw combat could not wear them.

Okay. But when you said "Same" to my comment that only two were not in uniform, I assumed that you meant that it was actually the same - that only two were not in uniform at Phillip's funeral.

 

[SirDuff]

My employer is closed on Monday for the funeral. I'm happy about that.

Will you be using the time to watch the funeral? I don't actually know the timing (and if it would be reasonable to try to watching in your time zone).

 

[CdnCarrie]

Will you be using the time to watch the funeral? I don't actually know the timing (and if it would be reasonable to try to watching in your time zone).

Absolutely! Will have to be up super early but will be watching it for sure.

 

[Karin1984]

Okay. But when you said "Same" to my comment that only two were not in uniform, I assumed that you meant that it was actually the same - that only two were not in uniform at Phillip's funeral.

What happened at Phillip's funeral, in the middle of the pandemic, it was the first time they came to realize 'what the PEEP are we going to do with Andrew and Harry?' No longer working royals, but still the son and grandson of the Duke. To make it easier for all of them and not to think too long/hard about it. The decision (probably by the queen): everyone in mourning suits, no one in uniforms.

Now it's 18 months later and things have changed, plus: The queen is the head of all the military. As they say in interviews, she was considered The Boss. That probably played into the decision of why they did go for working royals in uniforms this time. Or, at Phillip's funeral they hoped that if they all wore the same, the press wouldn't point it out too much. It didn't work. Maybe this decision was better. The press is interested in what they wear, but only in the context whether or not Andrew will get an exception, and if so, should Harry get an exception as well.

 

[mousefan73]

I’m thinking Harry’s holding her hand while walking out to offer her support both physically ( See my above post about stilettos on marble) And emotionally. Whatever your opinion is of her you have to admit the fact as an American that has been part of the “royal” inner circle for only the past four years in which the majority of the time she wasn’t doing anything with or near the Royals And then all of a sudden standing there amongst that crowd In front of the queens casket have to be a bit overwhelming. Maybe it’s a good thing she’s an actress, and can control may be a bit what she’s showing on the outside cause I think most people put in that position wouldn’t have handled it so well.

I’m assuming that even though she’s officially part of the family she still is still an outsider and a stranger. I mean I don’t know this but I can guess that she’s actually spoken to most of the family only a handful of times. I’m guessing she’s only passed niceties a couple of times to let’s say for example Edward and Sophie.
Besides the few big family events we see in the press I highly doubt the royal family are hanging out on the weekends together. I think that’s why they like to go to Balmoral in August To actually hang out. And I believe Megan had only been there once.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Ya gotta hand it to them, the Brits know what they're doing when it comes to pomp and ceremony!

 

[mousefan73]

Ya gotta hand it to them, the Brits know what they're doing when it comes to pomp and ceremony!

very true.. the images of the procession coming down the Mall with the flags was amazing. I love how Paul her main household guy was front and center of the casket. Hes also starred with her in the Bond clip

 

[FoxC63]

None of them wore military uniforms to that funeral.

View attachment 702371

Just asking...

Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages with the approval of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday, as the Duke of York faces trial in the U.S. over sexual abuse allegations.

Does this mean he can no longer wear medals?

 

[Wendy31]

I’m thinking Harry’s holding her hand while walking out to offer her support both physically ( See my above post about stilettos on marble) And emotionally. Whatever your opinion is of her you have to admit the fact as an American that has been part of the “royal” inner circle for only the past four years in which the majority of the time she wasn’t doing anything with or near the Royals And then all of a sudden standing there amongst that crowd In front of the queens casket have to be a bit overwhelming. Maybe it’s a good thing she’s an actress, and can control may be a bit what she’s showing on the outside cause I think most people put in that position wouldn’t have handled it so well.

I’m assuming that even though she’s officially part of the family she still is still an outsider and a stranger. I mean I don’t know this but I can guess that she’s actually spoken to most of the family only a handful of times. I’m guessing she’s only passed niceties a couple of times to let’s say for example Edward and Sophie.
Besides the few big family events we see in the press I highly doubt the royal family are hanging out on the weekends together. I think that’s why they like to go to Balmoral in August To actually hang out. And I believe Megan had only been there once.

Meghan’s caused a lot of the awkwardness herself.

I think most of the royal family are wary around her & cautious when talking w/ her because they’re worried whatever they say will be repeated (& most likely misrepresented) in one of her interviews or podcasts.

They can’t be genuine around her, & there probably are some very real bitter feelings toward her & Harry for the things they’ve said to various media platforms.

I know, if I were in Kate’s shoes, I’d feel really anxious & wary around Meghan.

I just read 2 interesting articles. One analyzed the ”Fab 4’s” walk together from the other day - in addition to how William didn’t open the car door for Kate, the author also discussed how Kate seemed to be holding herself separately from Meghan & didn’t make any kind of eye contact w/ her. The other article was critical of Harry’s & Meghan’s handholding in today’s processional - how it was a formal processional w/ both courtly & military influences & they should have followed the examples of Charles/Camilla, William/Kate, & Edward/Sophie

 

[TLSnell1981]

It hit me when The Queen arrived in London. The tears flowed. Not sure there will be a more beloved figure in my lifetime. Strength, class, grace, faith, loyalty …truly an amazing woman.

#NeverComplainNeverExplain

 

[Karin1984]

Just asking...

Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages with the approval of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday, as the Duke of York faces trial in the U.S. over sexual abuse allegations.

Does this mean he can no longer wear medals?

As I understand it:
Yes and no, he can wear the medals he was given for his service in the navy. He cannot wear the medals he got with his honorary military roles. He had to hand that in, plus the uniform that goes with it.
Harry gets to wear the medals he got for being Afghanistan and some other medals every soldier in Her Majesty's service got.

 

[NotUrsula]

I do find a bit ironic(?) that, because of protocols/tradition, the only two immediate members of the Royal Family that actually saw active military duty were the only two that weren’t in uniform.

Um, that's actually incorrect, though those two are the only ones who served in active combat in wartime.

Charles did serve several years on active military duty, though he did so in peacetime. His sea duty lasted from 1971 through 1976. During that time, he served on a destroyer and two frigates, and in his final year of service commanded a minehunter. He also flew helicopters in the Royal Navy, and served on the carrier HMS Hermes as a pilot. William also served on active duty, but was never posted abroad. He served first in the Army for two years, then transferred to the RAF and served another 5 as a search-and-rescue pilot in the branch that is equivalent to our Coast Guard.

It's odd for Americans who are used to seeing veterans of all services wear their uniforms (or parts of their uniforms) on ceremonial occasions, but UK military regulations don't allow it unless you're still in the reserves. You can wear your decorations on civilian dress, but not the uniform. The reason that members of the Royal family get to do it is that they serve on service boards, and thus have honorary rank as long as they continue to do so. Due to their situations, Harry & Andrew no longer have those board appointments, and so, no uniforms.

Anne and Edward do have purely honorary appointments that come with board service. (Edward did briefly join the Royal Marines, but took the UK's standard option to voluntarily leave basic 6 weeks in. I'm actually rather surprised that he's appearing in uniform, because he has said in the past that he doesn't feel comfortable doing that. Probably the Queen's expressed wish.)

 

[Wendy31]

It hit me watch when The Queen arrived in London. The tears flowed. Not sure there will be a more beloved figure in my lifetime. Strength, class, grace, faith, loyalty …truly an amazing woman.

#NeverComplainNeverExplain

Yes… I teared up too.

She was special.

I feel like the life of Queen Elizabeth was like a bridge linking the past to the present, & this is definitely the ending of an era. And our world is definitely missing something now w/ her gone.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages with the approval of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday, as the Duke of York faces trial in the U.S. over sexual abuse allegations.

Does this mean he can no longer wear medals?

Are you referring to the civil trial that was settled? Yes he lost his military positions as well as his HRH. He can still wear his medals and will wear his uniform at the Vigil of the Princes.

 

[AustinTink]

Meghan’s caused a lot of the awkwardness herself.

I think most of the royal family are wary around her & cautious when talking w/ her because they’re worried whatever they say will be repeated (& most likely misrepresented) in one of her interviews or podcasts.

They can’t be genuine around her, & there probably are some very real bitter feelings toward her & Harry for the things they’ve said to various media platforms.

I know, if I were in Kate’s shoes, I’d feel really anxious & wary around Meghan.

I agree with all of this.

Also, why does Megan always seem to be smirking? Even in the processional. Maybe it's just the shape of her face/mouth but it's so odd.

 

[Wendy31]

I agree with all of this.

Also, why does Megan always seem to be smirking? Even in the processional. Maybe it's just the shape of her face/mouth but it's so odd.

It’s funny you said that because I thought the EXACT same thing today!

She always has a look on her face - a kind of smug smirk.

But I’m trying to be nicer & more charitable toward her, so I told myself that maybe it‘s just the shape of her face & how she holds her mouth & lips.