As opposed to a ceremonial monarchy with Prime Minister Truss…so exactly the **** same really.

I’d imagine we’d end up with President Sugar and Prime Minister Truss.

I have no doubt we’d elect an absolute swiveled-eyed moron.

i think we can safely say that from today’s display it is far from being over.

The tens of thousands lining the route and the roughly 750000 who trouped past the coffin may agree, but they are but a relatively small percentage of the population and a self selected one at that. Nowhere in view on the telly are those who are indifferent or positively against the monarchy( which is probably appropriate today for reasons of taste) so it would be wrong to extrapolate for the whole country.

constitutional monarchy,

we don’t have a constitution. The rf allow Parliament to exist hence they get to preview all legislation that might affect them and sign off on all that dues get passed. A ceremonial monarch would be big step forward for the country

@Chrismac : The Helicopter compound was a separate compound within Bastion and quite secure so I never saw him with a security detail. He was quite amicable with me after the loo door event and even had a laugh about it.

I was also there when the infamous “Battle of Bastion” took place and by all accounts he was whisked away quite quickly on that occasion !!

@relapsed_madalorian : You are right about being able to smell it !! it was those loos or a thunder box outside the Chinny det …. No thanks 🙂

My 6 year old’s just asked if the dead Queen show has finished yet?.

boomerlives
Except for the fact that, without a constitutional monarchy, we would have President Truss.

Or we could have a ceremonial president, like several other countries do. Or we could have a president with properly defined powers, rather than our Prime Minister, whose powers seem to amount to “whatever parliament lets them get away with”.

i think we can safely say that from today’s display it is far from being over.

The tens of thousands lining the route and the roughly 750000 who trouped past the coffin may agree, but they are but a relatively small percentage of the population and a self selected one at that. Nowhere in view on the telly are those who are indifferent or positively against the monarchy( which is probably appropriate today for reasons of taste) so it would be wrong to extrapolate for the whole country.

have you been outside today ?
quieter that xmas day has ever been.

i reckon there a good few million folk sat at home watching the whole event.

we don’t have a constitution

Of course the UK has a constitution. All countries have a set of rules by which they are governed and organised. You can’t make it up as you go along.

It’s 3.30 and still going… I thought it was meant to be over by 12? Had to get back to work as only so much marching music I can take in one day even though I’ve tried to watch it if nothing else as a significant piece of history for the UK.

i reckon there a good few million folk sat at home watching the whole event

That’s probably true, but how many of those are watching because of FOMO or because they like the spectacle, not necessarily committed monarchists. Also there are no shops, schools or other leisure facilities open so it’s not surprising that it’s quiet

have you been outside today ?
quieter that xmas day has ever been.

East Croydon train station wasn’t quiet at midday today, even the coffee shop on platforms 5 and 6 was open. There are no trains at all on Xmas day.

Although they did announce on the tannoy a 2 minute silence for Her Majesty at 11.55, no idea why 11.55.

I was surprised how some people ignored it. One bloke very disrespectfully even ordered a coffee during the two minute silence. Mind you he did look as if he might be foreign.

Not a monarchist, but enjoying the processions and spectacle in between unpacking from a weekend away and sorting stuff out.

Roads were very quiet on the way home , no cafes open for brekky, but saw a good few out cycling and walking.

Who is the really tall bloke in front of the hearse?

i reckon there a good few million folk sat at home watching the whole event.

Almost everything is closed. There are more businesses closed today than on a normal Xmas day.

I know several people who are having funeral parties, with cream teas, etc, and one of my daughters was complaining that we aren’t having a roast today like a few of her friends’ families. (Clotted cream has sold out in most shops around here, believe it or not.) One party that I know of started with the prosecco mid-morning, to show due respect to Her Maj by getting bladdered in front of the TV.

I’ll be riding home along the beach in a short while – it will be interesting to see how busy it is. Thinking about it, will my riding buddies be in the pub on the way home? They were all out in the woods this afternoon. 😀

I was surprised how some people ignored it. One bloke very disrespectfully even ordered a coffee during the two minute silence.

My larger than life uncle was diagnosed with cancer. On arriving at the cancer unit he piped up how miserable everyone in the waiting room was and as usual tried to cheer everyone up.
It was 11am November 11th.

BBC World estimate that up to 4 billion people have watched the funeral or will watch its highlights, broadcast by all networks. That is half world’s population.

I’m not quite sure how they arrive at that figure but there’s no doubt its major news world wide. My brother in the US says all the American networks are giving it prominent and extended coverage.  There are 195 world leaders present. I don’t know if it’s true but I’ve seen a quote saying that’s the largest gathering of world leaders in one place ever.

I’ve seen a quote saying that’s the largest ever gathering of world leaders in one place ever.

Just as well it didn’t happen during lockdown. Typical of Her Majesty – she unselfishly dies at the right time to accommodate everyone. There will never be another.

Lots of old men in uniform. I’d guess this is the most senior (old) senior officers have been (not including family obviously) lots of stiff legged “marching”.

Also are the (royal) cars geared differently to a normal car. They do a lot of walking pace driving.

The footage of the guy who grabbed the Royal standard from the coffin cannot be found anywhere even though there was multiple cameras in Westminster Hall.

I must say that today is the first time I’ve felt even slightly patriotic since June 2016.

Just back from Balmaha (east shore of Loch Lomond) – naively thought it would be quiet, with everyone at home watching the funeral. It was rammed with people – coffee shop doing a roaring trade, with a queue about 20 long when I passed it. Clearly a big chunk of Scotland decided to express it’s collective grief by getting the SUP out!

have you been outside today ?
quieter that xmas day has ever been.

It’s the same here in Glasgow, though its probably due to the country having to shut down for reasons i think are a bit extreme. Maybe in London they would close, but I cant see why the rest of the country, including doctors surgeries need to shut also.

I spent 15 mins on the phone trying to get through for a repeat prescription only to give up and cycle to the surgery, where i found it closed.

Then went off to an Asda mega store only to find that shut too.

Roads were pretty empty, which admittedly made riding on them safe. But im not sure many in Glasgow could be arsed watching the service. Probably spend the free holiday time doing things far more important.

cannot be found anywhere even though there was multiple cameras in Westminster Hall.

That is because the authorities have apparently said that they have no intention of making the footage public. Which is perfectly reasonable and understandable imo.

I don’t know what his motive was but why should he deserve any more publicity?

I have seen a clip of him being arrested though. Someone was obviously able to film it during the commotion despite the ban on filming and photography.

Who is the really tall bloke in front of the hearse

I noticed that in between bike fettling, couldn’t work out how Robert Pershing Wadlow got invited.

so that’s what Ken MacKenzie’s up to now. Preposterous.

I reckon all this slow marching for miles is designed mainly so Charles and the rest of them have time for their 3 course luncheon in between ceremonies.

With the exception of the queen, the entire funeral party and all guests drove down the end of our road. Paid my respects.

gobuchul
Free Member

So why does The Prince of Nonces still wear his?

We were told he was stepping down from Royal duties?

Andrew is an honorary vice admiral so he’s technically a serving serviceman. Bullshit obviously, but that’s why.

I’ve reached my viewing limit and headed to the bar, where it’s also on TV 😂.

With the exception of the queen

She wasn’t in the coffin?

She wasn’t in the coffin?

what she’s not dead ?

Nah. Coffin came via Staines. Including the spare hearse (someone could have had the worst day at work). Everyone else came in via the back door. Probably see them leaving in an hour or so. This is what a posh bus looks like if you’re interested. The royal family followed behind. Then a few stragglers (SPA 1 N is a great plate isn’t it?)

have you been outside today ?
quieter that xmas day has ever been.

9am I would agree – not a soul was stirring.

It was pretty busy up the hills today, and queues of traffic on the A84/A82.

Tyndrum was hoaching with folk – we must have missed the memo about Glasgow decamping there for the day.

You can knock the monarchy, government etc but you cannot deny that we really are very good at doing these big state occasions.

Also are the (royal) cars geared differently to a normal car. They do a lot of walking pace driving.

No different to a regular hearse, shortened ratio by using a different differential. Banger racers love them as they’re tough, have big engines and go like stink up to about 40.

Well, I think I watched about 7 hours of that, in the background at least, missing just a few minutes for comfort breaks but kept up while cycling. The reading of her titles while the coffin descended was very moving, as was the lone piper moving off down the corridor. Job done. I suppose a lot of Guardsmen, Naval Ratings and RAF bods will be getting very pissed tonight.

have you been outside today ?
quieter that xmas day has ever been.

I’ve been out on my bike and I saw far more riders than usual.
Also walked the dogs, and I reckon there were more people doing the same and kids playing in parks while parents chatted than an average Sunday.

coffee shop doing a roaring trade, with a queue about 20 long

20 long? That’s not a queue! In that there London the queue for the queue for the queue for the queue is longer than that.

Who is the really tall bloke in front of the hearse?

You plonker.

you cannot deny that we really are very good at doing these big state occasions.

True. But it’s been planned in precise details for years if not decades. And not just the state funeral but everything associated with the death of the monarch such as TV programmes and scheduling.

No doubt work has already started on Charles III’s state funeral and TV obituaries.

No different to a regular hearse

That was the worst thing about the whole day. It should have been a Rolls or Bentley not a bloody Jag

To be fair to the royals I bet they are fed up of all this stuff over the last week or so. I will nod my head at 8pm to them and queenie, that’s the proper funeral

No doubt work has already started on Charles III’s state funeral and TV obituaries.

Isn’t there a coronation to get through first?