Queen Elizabeth funeral and looking forward

[Pea-n-Me]

David Beckham has been standing in the queue to see the coffin for 12 hours! His wife is not with him.

You know he could have gotten permission to skip the queue, so good for him.

Supposedly he bought donuts for people, too. What a guy!

Apparently there's going to be a service here in the US next Wednesday.

And all the former presidents are supposed to attend.

I’ve always watched everything, too, and this will be no exception.

 

[anniemae]

Well, I guess since a lot of you are getting up early on Monday I will too. At least I'll try. Maybe we can post on this thread. I remember getting up early to watch Harry and Megans wedding.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'll be watching on tape delay (DVR).

Supposedly he bought donuts for people, too. What a guy!

That's pretty cool. Would have been fun to be in his area for sure.

 

[mamamia2005]

BBC news are now reporting (7.30pm in the UK) that the queue time will be 22 hours long. We are due to have a chilly night tonight as well - first for quite a few months.

 

[RedAngie]

As King, Charles could have cut down on all the engagements he, Camilla, and Anne had to attend. He supposedly wants to streamline the monarchy so he coulda started right now and not exhaust himself.

Start your own protocol, Charles. It wouldn’t be disrespectful to your mother.

 

[CdnCarrie]

As King, Charles could have cut down on all the engagements he, Camilla, and Anne had to attend. He supposedly wants to streamline the monarchy so he coulda started right now and not exhaust himself.

Start your own protocol, Charles. It wouldn’t be disrespectful to your mother.

Or maybe let him do what he thinks is best. Let him mourn his mother and sovereign the way he wants to.
Some of the protocols are written such as the proclaimation procedure in the Manual of Official Procedure of the Government of Canada and can't just be changed willy nilly at the drop of the hat.

 

[Karin1984]

As King, Charles could have cut down on all the engagements he, Camilla, and Anne had to attend. He supposedly wants to streamline the monarchy so he coulda started right now and not exhaust himself.

Start your own protocol, Charles. It wouldn’t be disrespectful to your mother.

Not to his mother, but it could be to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the government, the people of the UK.

They are who they are because of the people. The people want to see them, want to show their grief and support. From a political pov, the show must go on as well.

These are the downsides of being a royal, but they themselves do not come first. Even when it would be understandable to grief in private first, let's not forget what happened when the Queen wanted to be grieving with her grandsons after Diana died. The public needed her.

 

[mom2rtk]

, let's not forget what happened when the Queen wanted to be grieving with her grandsons after Diana died. The public needed her.

That really is a great illustration of this.

 

[CdnCarrie]

If the RCMP is the procession representing Canada are there going to be representatives from all the realms?

 

[NotUrsula]

The article noted that units from Australia and New Zealand were expected to participate as well. It looks like they are making a dedicated effort to honor the Commonwealth Nations on this occasion.

As for US former Presidents, only if they get personal invitations, because the US only got 2 delegation tickets, for Biden and the First Lady. If former Presidents were to attend as personal guests, it would make the most sense to have them travel with Biden, so that the only extras needed would be their personal security details. Biden says that he will attend, which means that he will come in with two large aircraft, AF1 (which is a 747), plus the C-5 military cargo plane that carries his cars &/or helicopters. They won't have to deal with his arrival at Heathrow, though; Presidents fly into USAF facilities when they visit the UK.

Apparently, Liz Truss is planning to take advantage of the presence of all these heads of state to try to meet with as many of them as possible.

 

[Karin1984]

The article noted that units from Australia and New Zealand were expected to participate as well. It looks like they are making a dedicated effort to honor the Commonwealth Nations on this occasion.

As for US former Presidents, only if they get personal invitations, because the US only got 2 delegation tickets, for Biden and the First Lady. If former Presidents were to attend as personal guests, it would make the most sense to have them travel with Biden, so that the only extras needed would be their personal security details. Biden says that he will attend, which means that he will come in with two large aircraft, AF1 (which is a 747), plus the C-5 military cargo plane that carries his cars &/or helicopters. They won't have to deal with his arrival at Heathrow, though; Presidents fly into USAF facilities when they visit the UK.

Apparently, Liz Truss is planning to take advantage of the presence of all these heads of state to try to meet with as many of them as possible.

3 planes and a load of cars and helicopters for 2 people? Wow.
I get this is a special occasion, but out of curiosity: That doesn't sound very good for the planet. Is this an issue in the US, like in the UK the royal family gets flack when they take a private plane instead of a commercial flight or train to travel domestic?

 

[CdnCarrie]

Maybe someone here besides me would like to learn a little about Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex? He's been relatively anonymous all these years, compared to his siblings and I found this article very pleasant and informative. I love that he has specifically focused on taking over Prince Philip's former duties.

https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a34642998/prince-edward-windsor-facts/

P.S. @CdnCarrie, if you read through carefully, there's a special little something in there for you!

What’s up with Jason Kenny flying over to stand in line?

Love this quote
When Queen Elizabeth began her last visit to Canada, she talked of coming "home."

"Canadians have, by their own endeavours, built a country and society which is widely admired across the world. I am fortunate to have been a witness to many of the developments and accomplishments of modern Canada," she said after she arrived in Halifax in 2010.

"As Queen of Canada for nearly six decades, my pride in this country remains undimmed. Thank you again for your welcome. It is very good to be home."

Fun fact is she visited Canada the most of any commonwealth country.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Thoughts and observations from todays coverage.. The Princess Royal using a walking stick to exit the family vigil.. She has had such an all encompassing time since her Mother passed, she’s looked both strong and exhausted. I hope she just needs a bit of down time to restore herself.
David Beckham queuing for 14 hours, saying he did it for his late Grandparents who were “Royalists” who raised their family to revere the monarchy… very endearing. Sharon Osborne also queued for what was then a 12 hour wait. She was very emotional in the clip I saw. She went almost unnoticed in the crowd. Queue paused for 6 hours, when it reopened it immediately shot up to 20 hours.. now at 24 hours with no sign of slowing down.
Saw many photos of the Prince & Princess of Wales meeting with the various Commonwealth military personnel who are taking part in the ceremonies and providing security. Kate elegant as usual.
Tomorrow evenings vigil by the Grandchildren will be very emotional..

The Canadian contingent pretty much as expected.. Prime Ministers current and past. Governor’s General current and recent past. Indigenous leaders, Order of Canada recipients from all walks… including actress Sandra Oh from Grays Anatomy.. I’ll admit I was surprised by that choice. It seems odd.

 

[Karin1984]

including actress Sandra Oh from Grays Anatomy.. I’ll admit I was surprised by that choice. It seems odd.

Well, they know she loves a queen

 

[NotUrsula]

3 planes and a load of cars and helicopters for 2 people? Wow.
I get this is a special occasion, but out of curiosity: That doesn't sound very good for the planet. Is this an issue in the US, like in the UK the royal family gets flack when they take a private plane instead of a commercial flight or train to travel domestic?

Really, no. It's standard security protocol, and sitting Presidents get this treatment everywhere they go; it's been this way since Kennedy's assassination. The Secret Service will not allow them to use any kind of commercial transit, and they cannot even drive themselves except when they are on their own private property. When they travel domestically, they normally use a motorcade of at least 8 cars on the ground, and there are always 3 identical helicopters flying together, so that in the air, no one firing a surface-to-air missile would know which one he is actually in. The President also has a large team of Secret Service agents and military personnel who travel as well, somewhere upward of 100 members of staff (true number is secret, of course), but they come ahead to get the vehicles ready, plan the ground route, inspect the guest quarters where he will stay to make sure there are no cameras or listening devices, position snipers if necessary, make sure that the US cars will have room to maneuver, etc. Nothing is left to chance; they even bring the fuel for the vehicles if there is no US military installation at the destination. It's a traveling circus. Ex-Presidents can travel on commercial flights if they prefer to, but they normally have to take 2 bodyguards as well, and their presence is disruptive for other passengers, so it's more common for them to arrange rides on corporate planes.

When Biden arrives for the funeral, you will see men in dark suits take up position at all entrances to the building, and a few will enter with him and take up positions inside within line of sight of Biden. One of these people will be in military uniform and have a briefcase. That's the case containing the nuclear launch codes; it goes wherever the President goes.

The cost of all this is exhorbitant, which annoys people as DVCGirl67 pointed out below, but no one seems to complain that it's bad for the climate. The Secret Service says it's necessary to secure the President's safety, so we generally accept the need for official travel. What they catch the most flak for is using all these resources for private travel for time off, especially if they do it often.

 

[ronandannette]

What’s up with Jason Kenny flying over to stand in line?

Love this quote
When Queen Elizabeth began her last visit to Canada, she talked of coming "home."

"Canadians have, by their own endeavours, built a country and society which is widely admired across the world. I am fortunate to have been a witness to many of the developments and accomplishments of modern Canada," she said after she arrived in Halifax in 2010.

"As Queen of Canada for nearly six decades, my pride in this country remains undimmed. Thank you again for your welcome. It is very good to be home."

Fun fact is she visited Canada the most of any commonwealth country.

Also remembered former prime minister use to date Princess Margaret so maybe that’s one reason he wanted to attend.

"What's up" with anybody that's doing it? There are apparently people from all over the globe in that line, motivated by their personal respect for QEII and a desire to pay tribute in this way. Is Jason Kenny not at liberty to do the same? It's been made very clear that he went as a private citizen, the trip is self-funded and in no way claims to represent the provincial government. OK with you?

 

[CdnCarrie]

"What's up" with anybody that's doing it? There are apparently people from all over the globe in that line, motivated by their personal respect for QEII and a desire to pay tribute in this way. Is Jason Kenny not at liberty to do the same? It's been made very clear that he went as a private citizen, the trip is self-funded and in no way claims to represent the provincial government. OK with you?

Just struck me as odd.

 

[jo-jo]

What uniform is Princess Anne wearing this evening? I can't find any details , just pictures or general talk of wearing military uniforms.

 

[dvcgirl67]

3 planes and a load of cars and helicopters for 2 people? Wow.
I get this is a special occasion, but out of curiosity: That doesn't sound very good for the planet. Is this an issue in the US, like in the UK the royal family gets flack when they take a private plane instead of a commercial flight or train to travel domestic?

U.S. Presidents don't typically get much flack for this from a "global warming" perspective, but they do for the cost. However, we're hearing a lot more complaining in our press regarding celebrities using their private jets for ridiculously short flights. I believe Kendall Jenner (of the Kardashian Klan).....got in trouble for using her huge private jet to fly from one side of LA to the other side of LA...so she didn't have to sit in traffic. So far I don't think U.S. presidents have gotten in too much trouble for this kind of thing, but I believe they all should be setting a better example.

 

[Turn the Page]

Really, no. It's standard security protocol, and sitting Presidents get this treatment everywhere they go; it's been this way since Kennedy's assassination. The Secret Service will not allow them to use any kind of commercial transit, and they cannot even drive themselves except when they are on their own private property. When they travel domestically, they normally use a motorcade of at least 8 cars on the ground, and there are always 3 identical helicopters flying together, so that in the air, no one firing a surface-to-air missile would know which one he is actually in. The President also has a large team of Secret Service agents and military personnel who travel as well, somewhere upward of 100 members of staff (true number is secret, of course), but they come ahead to get the vehicles ready, plan the ground route, inspect the guest quarters where he will stay to make sure there are no cameras or listening devices, position snipers if necessary, make sure that the US cars will have room to maneuver, etc. Nothing is left to chance; they even bring the fuel for the vehicles if there is no US military installation at the destination. It's a traveling circus. Ex-Presidents can travel on commercial flights if they prefer to, but they normally have to take 2 bodyguards as well, and their presence is disruptive for other passengers, so it's more common for them to arrange rides on corporate planes.

When Biden arrives for the funeral, you will see men in dark suits take up position at all entrances to the building, and a few will enter with him and take up positions inside within line of sight of Biden. One of these people will be in military uniform and have a briefcase. That's the case containing the nuclear launch codes; it goes wherever the President goes.

I have told this story before but a few years back we were traveling through Toronto. During a layover in the small airport on the island we were just hanging out in the waiting room waiting for our next flight when suddenly my Dad told me someone famous was sitting next to us. Turned out it was a former Canadian PM. Just sitting there like a normal person. People kept coming up to shake his hand, etc and we saw no security detail to speak of.

That would NOT have been the case if a former US President were there.