To me it brought back memories of my mum, dad and granny. A different generation that I realise how much I miss them. It bought to my mind my own mortality It bought to my mind I will leave my girls and my granddaughters behind to cope with this world. I am not a royalist but I felt so emotional and I felt so involved. I am glad I went
I hope I am wrong and you are right. I am feeling very emotional...and as you all know I am a leftie woke gammon.
I'm not a Royalist but I did find the day poignant and moving. Absolutely perfectly executed by all those involved, including Prince George & Princess Charlotte, even Megan played the role of dutiful wife to Harry. I think the day was made extra special by those ordinary people who attended, like Beth, so a huge amount of respect to all those who attended. I am truly humbled by the love shown to HM Queen Elizabeth II. May she Rest In Peace.
Frustratingly I wasn't able to watch much of the services today because of family commitments, but I listened to most of the services when stuck in the car, and found that listening rather than watching was just as moving, and in some ways gave me more space to reflect. I am a fairly staunch royalist and believe firmly that the monarchy is part of the 'glue' that sticks the country together - which is all the more important when divisions appear deeper and more common than ever. Elizabeth II was a huge constant when everything else changed so rapidly, and her reserved commitment to duty - combined with a sense of humour - while balancing a sense of tradition and modernity, has set her out as a truly great monarch. I think she has also, importantly, build extremely strong foundations for Charles and William thereafter. I've always admired her quiet faith, as well as her humble response when she's got things wrong - such as her commitment to the people of Aberfan after feeling she got the initial response to their disaster wrong. (As an aside, I thought the episode of The Crown covering Aberfan was truly moving.) I feel I've not been able to say my own goodbye yet, as I was abroad this week so couldn't visit Buckingham Palace, or queue to pay respects as Elizabeth lay in state. I'll find a way this week in London after work to pay my personal respects and say goodbye. The words of Lord Hennessy caught my ear. Reflecting on the day he explained that "the post-war era is over" as Elizabeth carried with her the "collaborative spirit" of that era. With the death of Gorbachev recently and the end of peace in Europe, this felt like a poignant reflection, perhaps for further discussion on the politics thread. He also described her as "the greatest carrier of soft-power that the world has ever seen", and as someone who embodied the rise of the welfare state in her many many visits to hospitals and care homes. He concluded that "she remained the fixture, while all the fittings around her were changing." May she rest in eternal peace.
I'm not a Royalist either. I worked today, much to many peoples surprise. I got home and saw the back end of it all. It looked quite amazing to be fair and very well organised. Rip Queen.
Murmurs that America being relegated to 14th row was a slight. Commonwealth countries had a general priority, but 14th for a big ally with whom we're supposed to have a special relationship?
Me too. Coming from a family of two brothers and a sister, l was hoping Charles or Andrew would comfort Anne in her time of need. Summary - We all have different ways of dealing with grief with the loss of our parents. Speaking from my experience, It’s never easy regardless of how prepared we may feel we are. All in all, a magnificent ceremony. Long my we remember Queen Elizabeth.
Someone really needs to explain to me the concept of a fashion show. I've been looking for comfy trousers for some time but don't recall seeing anything like these. EVER.
I was wearing similar last Saturday at Loftus Road, although blue and white. I couldn’t get to my seat for the lack of space
New Zealand gets it's public holiday in remembrance of the queen today I think the wife will have a job list I shall do my best to avoid
