Queen Elizabeth is DEAD TO ME - Official Part 3 THE FUNERAL

Related Link to Part 2

Coverage starts on BBC One at 8am.

We've all got the day off, so you'd better tune in.

You want to declare this the OFFICIAL THREAD for an event almost five days off? Good luck with that.

I can't decide whether to wake up with the G&Ts as it starts, or start with scones and strawberry jam and Devon cream and move into the G&Ts later.

To proceed fully informed:

Today other royals spread out to Manchester, Norfolk, and Glasgow to engage with populations there who weren't in areas close to the first stops or to London. The Wales' are in Norfolk, Anne in Glasgow, and the Wessexes took Manchester, where they drew a far, far larger crowd than the Sussexes did a couple of weeks ago.

The Sussexes are not part of the continued royal outreach, nor are the Yorks. Charles is at Highgove resting up for the funeral, and Camilla is doing the same but at her home in Wiltshire, Ray Mill.

Angela Levin and The SUN have broken the story that Charles plans not to bestow HRHs on Archie and Lilibet, but will issue Letters Patent to give them the title of Prince and Princess, but not the style of HRH. The story also insists that the Sussexes have been at him ceaselessly about the issue during this week of mourning.

I don't know what to make of the story, as it seems unlikely that with everything else he had to do this week, KCIII was also worrying about the Harkles' kids' titles. However, it is well within the reach of the imagination that the Harkles would think nothing of relentlessly pursuing the subject regardless of his grief and everything else on his plate.

I don't buy the Reddit story posted elsewhere except for the Spoitfy tea, because the contact is out of L.A., so how would he know if Meghan is terrified of Kate and William?

The Heads of State and Government and Crowned Heads list is huge and growing.

The queue to pay last respects to the Queen is more than two miles long and shows no sign of abating even at ngiht.

I'm most looking forward to the ensembles that will be worn by Kate, Meghan, Sophie, Lady Sarah Chatto, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, and Queen Letizia of Spain.

Do we think Kent gell fainted yesterday because she's up the duff (that would be Pss Michael of Kent's daughter, married about two years ago and in her late thirties, so it may be possible).

Have I missed anything? If so, pile on, but leave space for Monday! OP

I don't know.

Oh, and re the HRH issue with ArchieBet, it would seem to confirm what Jane Barr said about the matter in From Berkshire to Buckingham: it is NOT necessarily a done deal that the minute the Queen breathed her last, children who were born as great-grandchildren do NOT automatically wake up the next day as HRHs, because it has to be confirmed by the new King by Letters Patent. And he can, at will, withhold the HRHs at his pleasure.

Barr suggested that this might happen, that it was not an automatic bump-up, any more than Lady Louise Windsor deciding to turn HRH on her 18th birthday. She has the option, but couldn't use it unless affirmed by the Sovereign.

I do not know why people keep bringing up the York princesses, especially the Harkles, moaning about "working royals". The York princesses were at birth grandchildren of the Sovereign in the male line, which is different from being born great-grandchildren and asking for a retroactive upgrade.

It has nothing to do with being working royals. The Sussexes lost their HRHs because they had betrayed the woman who gave them the ducal title, and who knew they were planning to merch it. The York girls had meaningless little jobs that no one can even remember. The Sussexes were already talking to Scobie, Oprah, and Netflix.

Andrew was 4th in line at that time, and planning on a lifetime of service to the monarchy. Harry was 6th in line and by the time Archie was born, everyone inside knew the Harkles were planning to leave.

So there's that.

They just announced a whole big group of people from Canada going. All the former PMs, a bunch of other bureaucrats, several Indigenous leaders, some RCMP and Canadian military members.

R6 - As a Commonwealth country, Canada is allowed to bring more people to the funeral. It's like a delegation. The Queen visited Canada more than any other country.

A laugh for those who need it.

A royal guard collapses head first onto the concrete floor. Yikes! I hope he's ok.

^ Bless him, he got up and finished his job.

I’m annoyed at the smirk on Megan’s face while the rest of the family looked devastated, she’s an actress for fucks sake can’t she at least fake it for a few minutes!

My heart breaks for Ann, she clearly is taking this very hard, she lost her dad and now mother in less than two years.

R11 there is a reason why she never made it far as an actress .

R11 Has Ann stayed close with her mother…as in seeing her regularly? Was she involved in care decisions for her parents? I plead not ignorance on BRF, but she does seem sad. When MEghan smiles, I want to die.

Then you’d accuse her of faking it r11. She looked sufficiently solemn to me. Some of the others look devastated, like Anne and Sophie, and even Charles. They’ve known her for a lot longer.

I guess the real titles for Haz and Megs kids should be Cocklet and Cuntlet.

^ freak

Bitter old DL Queens spending their retirement years in a sub- basement efficiency apartment.

Mail says Harry and Andrew have wangled the right to wear uniforms at the vigil.

I honestly think if they can let the scuzzy fucker, Andrew, wear uniform then they can’t really refuse HW.

This makes the Palace look so scattered - Harry and Andrew were not allowed to wear uniforms at the march yesterday, which meant they got an awkward photo of everyone but the two veterans of action saluting. Now Harry and Andrew both can wear uniforms at the weekend vigil. And then on Monday, only Andrew can wear a uniform but Harry can’t. So you have three different policies, for what reason? Stupid.

I thought Andrew only had permission for the vigil. I will be happy to stand corrected.

The vigil is the Saturday event, and the Mail says Harry will be able to wear his uniform. But then for the service Monday, Harry will not be able to wear his uniform.

No one should wear their uniforms unless they’re fucking soldiers! How the hell is Charles wearing a uniform, he’s a hundred years old. Anne too—I’m all for women serving but she’s as old as Charles and never saw a day of service in the military. Charles carrying those swords was beyond stupid. He could barely walk.

^That's been confirmed, I think. The Palace realised it was splitting hairs and not doing itself any favours, so it reversed its decision: both he and Andrew can wear uniform at the vigil, but neither can wear it to the funeral. I still think Harry forfeited his right to parade himself after smearing his Commander in Chief (past and present) but whatever. The vigil is maybe twenty minutes.

So the Sussexes got photo ops with the King, the new Wales', and at the big events. It's a win for them, albeit a short-term one, I don't think it resulted in them being any more likable than they were before, they got a badly needed spray of royal paint. What it translates to as they go on, if the BRF continue to keep them at arm's length is anyone's guess.

Considering the shit Meghan said in that interview, it's way more than she deserves, but it does give the BRF some cover if, having given the two sociopaths a bit, further shit spewed by the two are more likely to make them look bad than the BRF.

Your opinion counts for nothing R23.

I don't think any of them should wear uniforms. I preferred it when they all just wore suits at Philip's funeral.

I still can't quite get used to the fact that the Queen's dead and we have a King now. I know that's ridiculous, given that she was ninety-six. I suppose it just felt as though things were finally getting back to normal after COVID. And things were already pretty weird before COVID, thanks to Trump and Brexit. Everything's changed so much in the last six years or so.

Yeah no shit r25. That’s why we see people like Charles—giant baby Charles—wearing a uniform.

Why not, R27, he served in the armed forces.

You’ll have to come back with a more convincing argument than “yeah no shit”, but I appreciate that that may be a challenge for you.

R28, they ALL served in the armed forces, even Edward. Anne didn’t. So yeah, no shit!

As I thought, R29.

Exact,y, r30!

(Of course, none of them do now…)

C’mon, did they really serve in the literal sense?

Nope, r33. They all spent about 10 minutes in the military (except for Andrew) and none of them have served in many, many years. But they think it’s ok to wear a uniform.

R34 and a decked out uniform at that!

King Charles needs to Marie Kondo Halfwit Harry and his harridan. They do not spark joy.

Charles is head of the armed forces.

I think somebody thought let Ginger Smurf wear a uniform. Then he can go back to California, put on his board shorts, and have a think about what he's given up.

The queue in London had to be shut down for 6 hours as it is now over five miles long with a 14-hour wait.

I hear deafening silence from Owen Jones. Remember how last Saturday he was contemptuously asserting that as there were more flowers for Diana, it proves Diana was more popular than the Queen?

The King, only last week Prince of Wales, was in Cardiff today and was met with large crowds and calls of God Save the Kkng. So the rest was brief at Highgrove. Gloucestershire isnt far from the Welsh border.

And, the night before the funeral, Charles will host an enormous reception for visiting dignitaries, so if there are photos we will get a preliminary glimpse of Criwned Heads.

The schedule is, literally and figuratively, crushing.

[quote] I hear deafening silence from Owen Jones. Remember how last Saturday he was contemptuously asserting that as there were more flowers for Diana, it proves Diana was more popular than the Queen?

Owen Jones never gets tired of being wrong. About everything.

Small detail, but the BBC are talking about "King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort". They're still resisting the phrase "Queen Camilla".

I suspect that will change over time, R41. But it definitely won't change during the official period of mourning.

I thought queens (regnant or consort) tended to be known as (HM) The Queen during their/their husbands' reigns. For example, old newsreels from before 1952 might refer to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother as The Queen (full stop). I wonder whether the Palace will ever style Camilla as HM The Queen. It would be so jarring, but that might change.

The press will certainly get round to calling her Queen Camilla. Kate is already being called Princess Kate.

R13 I believe she saw Andrew most near the end since he lives in Windsor. However, she was very close to Anne, and Anne was with her when she passed. I heard that Anne was the only child with a direct line. The others had to phone staff first if they wanted to speak to her. But obviously, I have no way to know if that is actually true.

Anne and the Queen shared a love of equestrian culture. Anne was part of the British Olympic Equestrian team in the 1970s. And as the only daughter, there would have been the shared bonds of womanhood, childbirth, motherhood, etc.

The Queen was still Princess Elizabeth when Anne was born in 1950. So Anne was also part of a somewhat quieter phase of the Queen's life. Andrew and Edward werexalmost like a second family.

[quote]Anne too—I’m all for women serving but she’s as old as Charles and never saw a day of service in the military.

Anne holds several honorary military titles, and is in fact quite hands-on with some of them. The four cavalry units she "commands" especially love her, as you might imagine: she's a better rider than some of them. The groups she commands would be quite disappointed if she didn't represent them on such an occasion, I think. I've seen them in docos speaking far more warmly of her than was strictly necessary to be respectful of a royal.

Anne is the pride of the cavalry.

R47 And being the notoriously lusty lass she is known to be, she'd have taken every advantage of it.

Story about Anne at a dance when much younger (alleged to overheard)

Anne to dance partner: "Are you afraid of me?"

Dance partner, stammering: "Why, no, of course not."

Anne: "Then stop holding me like a piece of china and let's dance properly."

Anne’s my favorite royal, no nonsense, hard working, and incredibly cool in her quintessentially Anne way

Poor Camilla. Always following the big guns. First Diana kept her from being styled as Princess of Wales because it would have been too much drama. And now the longest monarch Britain has ever seen, who was immensely popular, will live on in people's memories as The Queen, leaving Camilla as Queen Consort.

As I said above in R42, I suspect that will change in time, but for now, the only "HM The Queen" anyone thinks about is Elizabeth II.

The following is a link to a lovely article about the Queen's Ladies in Waiting, all of whom where lined up in respect in Westminster Hall.

With her to the end.

Known apparently in Buckingham Palace as "Head Girls".

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Charlotte resembles the young Princess Elizabeth (the late Queen) in this photo.

Off into the sunset she goes...

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Camilla lost her footing as she was leaving the Cathedral in Wales. Supposedly, she has a broken toe.

At the Grandchild Vigil on Saturday, William will stand at the head pf the Queen's coffin and Harry at her feet.

Too bad Her Majesty can't give Harry a good kick to remember her.

R34. Charles served a lot longer than ten minutes.

They have ceremonial positions which also entitle them to wear uniforms. And Charles gets to be head of state without winning an election. You may not like it but that is part of the monarchy and most British people are in favor of retaining the monarchy.

R7, the US would have been bringing a delegation of former presidents as well if not for the Trump situation. Biden didn't want him there and neither did the UK. If Biden had been allowed a delegation and excluded him, it would have been a scandal. With Trump's monarchy worship, he very likely would have accepted and ruined the event for everyone.

A very simple resting place for the Queen's father and mother. The Queen will be buried by them and her husband Prince Philip. I believe Princess Margaret's ashes are in the tomb with her parents King George and Queen Elizabeth. They will all be reunited again.

David Beckham queues 12 hours to pay respects..

Strong resemblance, R53. That photo is new to me.

The King's speech to the faith leaders today.

Nope r59. Canada ia a Commonwealth Realm. She was their Queen too.

I understand the distinction, R64. Early reporting indicated that would be the case.

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It's never too early to say it: Prince George is developing a chronic case of carb face.

That’s Louie Anderson at r67.

I hope they never get that gap fixed.

He looks like Diana's brother. too.

Lovely moment with the grandchildren. Youngest grandchild is there, Viscount Severn. CNN mentioned he looks like William, which he does!

^some of them are obviously holding back tears.

Here's the vigil. There was something quite touching about seeing all eight of them together.

I didn't think it would happpen. Sophie looked very tearful, I suppose she was worried for James and Louise as they aren't much used to Royal events at the best of times.

Vigil of the grandchildren starts around the 10:00 mark.

I can't help noticing in R75's link that they now have Viscount Severn in a suitcoat whose sleeves are too *short* (despite fitting otherwise), and in a shirt whose cuffs almost cover his hands. Did they hastily alter one of Edward's old coats?

How long will the grandchildren keep vigil?

They never give the poor lad a winter coat to go to church at Christmas either, just a flimsy jacket.

I note the Sussexes were nowhere to be found, although other members of the family gathered to watch the vigil. Kate and William had another engagement, but not the Sussexes. It's obvious that if they aren't centre-stage, they don't feel the need to put themselves out.

^*Never mind - I couldn't see Harry in the first photo, but I see he was there.

Grandchildren vigil:

William at Head of Coffin

Harry at Foot of Coffin

Zara and Peter at the front corners

Beatrice and Eugenie at the rear corners

Louise and James each in the middle on one of the sides

R77 Fifteen minutes.

William should never take his military hat off…it’s like Thor’s hammer but instead of giving him strength he gets his good looks back.

r83, Yes he looks great in his uniform and cap!

[quote] David Beckham queues 12 hours to pay respects..

The cunt probably thinks the gesture will finally get him the knighthood he craves.

If he keeps the tats up he'll look like he's covered in his own suit of armour.

A Swiss tribute in the sky.

Oh yikes

Did the granddaughters all agree to wear hatbands instead of hats? Doing so shows their faces even with head bowed, but a hat offers more privacy. It was so organized, they must have rehearsed in a private space.

Zara got stuck with Hapless Harry.

r89, yes, it must have been practiced to take so many steps each way and so on. That was really why I didn't think the "grandchildren" story was true.

What spry was that r91?

^ hah story.

[quote] The cunt probably thinks the gesture will finally get him the knighthood he craves.

Or maybe he just wanted to pay respects to someone he was raised to admire by his grandparents - now deceased. His grandparents are the ones he brought to the palace when the Queen awarded him his OBE.

Whether Beckham gets a knighthood or not will have nothing to do with this. If he doesn't have one by now, then there is another reason for it - like maybe his work with Qatar or other issues - and when those are resolved he'll probably get one.

I thought this was a lovely thing to do.

I bet Zara takes no shit from Harry. She is her mother's daughter. Unlike Harry, she has actually accomplished something in life being an Olympian with a silver medal.

r92 the story that there would be a grandchild vigil. None of this is historic, Itwas done for George V as he had enough sons to do a "Vigil of the Princes". With Queen Mother, she was ancient so they did it with grandsons. It Isn't a "tradition" and when it was done it was just rather last night, as in taking the military role.

This is ridiculous and a bit embarrassing. Poor grandkids like Zara etc, having to play statues while public mourners are walking through. Maybe they chose it? I fucking wouldn't do that for anyone.

R96 it was very moving, more so than the Princes' Vigil. The Wessex kids were impressive.

I agree that it was moving. Walking past the catafalque must have been impressive enough for a British person, but to see all eight grandchildren standing around it like a living sepulchral monument, heads bowed, gives an impression of grandeur mixed with vulnerability that they won't forget soon. I'm kind of MARYing here, but it was a piece of pageantry I thought they really pulled off.

R97, the Wessex family and the Tindalls are my favourites of the royal clan. I don’t know much about Peter Phillips so can’t really comment. The Sussexes could have gone the way of the Tindalls. I always wondered why they didn’t and Mike and Zara really do seem to have the best of both worlds. The Wessexes seem to work quietly in the background have had garnered growing respect over the years.

I noticed when the "Grandchildren Vigil" was over and the eight of them were going up the stairs of Westminster Hall, Zara Tindall seemed to have dropped something and had to step down a step to retrieve it. All of the others behind her had to stop until she found whatever she lost. I thought they were going to tumble down the stairs.

I think she lost her shoe r100.

Very moving to see the Grandchildren's Vigil and probably especially for the people who were able to be that close to them including the next King. Most people will never be that close before or again.

I also think it was lovely to see Edward and Sophie watching over their children still in their teens. And that the grandchildren and children could see the people paying tribute. If they thought this was going to move fast perhaps they didn't take into account that almost everyone pauses and bows or curtsies or genuflects in some way. This has not been just some quick walk-by. These people for the most part are taking this to heart and showing it.

Zara and Peter still the all-time genetic champs in that family. And, I agree, Zara seems like she would be formidable.

R99 the Wessexes actually tried the half in half out model and it blew up in their faces #sheikhgate . They were then brought back into the firm .

It just occurred to me that each of the queen’s children had two children.

I didn't notice Zara's she-dropping. If this were ancient Rome we'd get a whole chapter from Suetonius about how the soothsayers interpreted that.

[quote]Solea amissa alii dixerunt Zaræ regnum cessurum, quamvis necopinato, quia cum recepisset eam ceteros quidem principes impedivisset, alii autem totam domum regnum perdituram id portendere, ut diræ a Diana quondam denuntiatæ explerentur, et inde rumores usque increbruerunt ....

*shoe* dropping

Conversation between Harry and Zara on the way to Westminster:

H: Quite a crowd

Z: Yes, grannie was beloved. Seeing the really does help deal with the sadness.

H: Why does Mike think I'm a bellend? Did he really say that? It hurt my feelings.

[quote]I'm kind of MARYing here, but it was a piece of pageantry I thought they really pulled off.

Agreed; what's the "banging" between shifts? The pageantry is very well orchestrated, particularly for the younger grandkids, but I'm just wondering what's the significance of the noises between the changing of the guard

Audio cues, r108. Not everyone is within the other’s line of sight so it keeps time and let’s people know to move to the next step.

Who really gives a flying fuck about who wears the uniform?

Well, you could always start with the men who've died wearing it.

R103, but not without a lot of penance. Sophie had to apologize, write notes of apology to the RF members she wronged and then be humble and patient. She was clearly sorry, so she was able to repair the situation, but it took time as well as contrition.

Ah, thank you R109, that makes sense.

Telegraph confirms: Zara lost a shoe.

The Globe and Mail suggests that Trudeau should have waited hours in line to pay his respects to the Queen.

A friend just sent me TIME Magazine's schedule of the funeral and how Americans can watch, with a text that said to pour myself a stiff G&T.

It referred to Kate as Princess Catherine (which she has never been and never will be), and to William as (wait for it) DUKE of Wales.

Yes, chickens: TIME Magazine referred to the Prince of Wales as the Duke of Wales. Of course, one would think that if William WERE, then his wife would be the Duchess of Wales. But, somehow, she is Princess Catherine and he is the Duke of Wales.

I expect this from the local postal clerk in Peoria. But not from TIME Magazine.

The ignorance Americans show of how a hereditary monarchy works, why it works that way, what role it plays in the structure of the ship of state, what it can do and what it cannot do, and why Harry and Meghan can't be treated the way William and Kate are, can't be overstated when TIME Magazine refers to the newly minted Prince of Wales as the Duke of Wales.

It isn't as if the title Prince of Wales is exactly a little known position.

It's been an iconic, romantic, and massively prestigious title for hundreds of years. Charles as Prince of Wales was deemed the world's most eligible bachelor. He held the title for 64 years.

Americans always know best, R116. Even when they don’t.

Especially when they don't. That's when the heels really dig in. Here anyway.

R116, I think that’s fake. I looked at Time.com and didn’t see anything like that at all.

^oops no sooner do I post at r119 than i see Time magazine got it wrong. Apparently they don’t have a fact checker.

The problem with making everybody whoever they are standing line it the need for security all around them. It would be ridiculous. Both the cost and the logistics make it entirely impractical.

R116 Americans are amazingly ignorant about everything. No doubt that's why Meghan's demented fanclub thinks if they trash Kate then Meghan will be Kween.

R122, amazing rude… sorry we don’t know the intricacies of the stupid titles of the royal family. We know our senators and congressman, who actually do have a say in running the country. Do you know ours?

The prime minister of Cananda should have waited in line. Queue jumping is for telly gods like me.

Some British people on here are really embarrassing us r123. I've seen people ask perfectly reasonable questions and get shot down and it is rude. I get confused with the way US elections work, , I would never expect people from outside the UK to know all about how UK systems work.

[quote] Whether Beckham gets a knighthood or not will have nothing to do with this. If he doesn't have one by now, then there is another reason for it - like maybe his work with Qatar

Neither the British government nor the Royal family have any problem with Qatar. Or Beckham's "work" there. Billions of pounds in investments in the Brit economy, lavish presents of jewels, objects d'art and horses to the Royal family insures both that the Brit government turns a blind eye to the oppressive, misogynist, homo-murdering al-Thanis, and that they are welcome guests of the late Queen at Ascot and Windsor. The al-Thanis and senior members of other ruling Gulf Muslim despots will be present at the Queen's funeral on Monday.

[quote]The ignorance Americans show of how a hereditary monarchy works, why it works that way, what role it plays in the structure of the ship of state, what it can do and what it cannot do, and why Harry and Meghan can't be treated the way William and Kate are, can't be overstated when TIME Magazine refers to the newly minted Prince of Wales as the Duke of Wales.

America and the media in general revel in being clueless about other countries and their traditions. Yes, we get it - America used to be ruled by a monarchy & we broke a way - BFD! It's like they want to push this narrative that "we don't monarchies because we're all equal here in the good ole USA!" when that is clearly rubbish.

We’re not clueless r127. We just don’t like monarchies. Anything wrong with having an opinion?

I've come to a point of view about people in the last week, because, yes, everybody is entitled to their own opinion and people being people some opinions are based on better information than others.

What I think is wrong is disrespect and rudeness in their most extreme and intolerant forms. It's like the woke professor wishing the Queen pain and suffering in her death. Or DLers calling her an old cunt or rushing to bury the old bitch. That is not necessary. It contributes nothing. There actually is a better time to disagree but there's never a good time to demean. It reflects a coarseness in us and a desire borne I guess of frustration or cynicism or futility - I don't know what - but some dark part of us that really wants to hurt others. We now don't want just the freedom to have different points of view but feel a mentally and even spiritually unhealthy need to attack and demean and offend people with different opinions than our own. I have found myself swept up in it too, particularly here. I don't like it, in myself or in others.

I have enjoyed most of the comments here since the death of the Queen but what I haven't has cemented my decision I am going to leave DL, because when it's ugly it's weapons grade, MAGA level intelligence ugly. I remember once searching Datalounge on Twitter and even fucking Twitter was scathing in its assessment of this place. I was embarrassed. So long, get a blog way of saying I'm get out of DL and gonna pull pack generally on the internet - no more reading the comments on the newspaper sites, definitely no more Twitter. Like water can wear a groove in a stone over time, drip, drip, drip, so can all this unhinged cyber interaction and exposure can wear you down. Ideas are important, people, in real time, are important and that's where I've resolved to spend the majority of my time. Take care of yourselves, those who can turn it around. That it's "just here" isn't an explanation, it's an excuse.

[quote] We just don’t like monarchies. Anything wrong with having an opinion?

Are we talking Henry VIII or a modern Constitutional Monarchy? You do know there is a difference?

[quote] I have enjoyed most of the comments here since the death of the Queen but what I haven't has cemented my decision I am going to leave DL, because when it's ugly it's weapons grade, MAGA level intelligence ugly.

R130, if you're still here, I'm right out the door after you. You put so eloquently my reasons, too.

Not that anybody will notice or care, nor should they, but, I made the decision over the past year, that, assuming I outlive Q E II, I'd take my leave of the DL.

Over the past 20 or so years, it's given me so much laughter, pain, intelligence, and it's still the best place for breaking news, er, excuse me, "Bearking News".

But, its clientele has changed. I'm older, and we don't fit in with each other anymore.

Plainly stated, it's too much work to avoid the Reich-Wing Trumpers who've just about taken over the place. The bigots too.

Funny thing is, my annual subscription hasn't run out, so, when major news breaks, I'll still be checking in, but only Anonymously until my subscription is gassed.

I'd take my leave of the DL after her funeral.

Della, (R131) more than once I've messaged you to say we're exactly on side. We think alike. I wish we could have been able to communicate privately. I wish you all good things. I go after tomorrow, so presumably we'll be largely agreeing until then!

Verklempt, r133, seriously.

Q E II and now you.

I'm going full MARY! by posting this, but so what

Sorry to hear, Della.

R130. A monarchy is a monarchy and we don’t like them. It’s very simple. Doesn’t matter if it’s Henry VIII or QEII.

“A monarchy is a form of government in which a person, the monarch, is head of state for life or until abdication. The political legitimacy and authority of the monarch may vary from restricted and largely symbolic (constitutional monarchy), to fully autocratic (absolute monarchy), and can expand across the domains of the executive, legislative, and judicial.”

Thanks, r135.

Well, I just paid $1.99 for a one-month DL membership (after cancelling my yearly one), so I think I’ll stick around for awhile, but I’m with you r129 and Della. I don’t know why so many people here are uncivil, and, worse, I’ve allowed myself sometimes to get caught up in it. The blatant racism is very troubling, as is the right wing nuttery from posters who SWEAR they aren’t.

I abandoned Facebook because of the trolls. I really am disappointed.

I hope we get to see all the world leaders and the reaction to them. Bolsanaro had a reasonably large group of Brazilian fans as he arrived at the Embassy. Maybe they were planted who knows.

Della you’re not alone. Signing off with my name check which I stopped doing long ago.

Bolsonaro is just as repugnant as Trump, but the government is obligated to invite him as a sitting president. Imagine the rudeness in the room if he, Trump, and Berlusconi were in office at the same time.

The Bidens pay their respect to the Queen.

The King and Queen of Spain pay their respects.

The Vigil guards taking a break from their duties.

Even their La-Z-Boys are fancy!

^Literally, men in tights! They're not a young bunch - I would think standing for extended periods of time in heavy costume/uniform (whatever the correct term is) must be tough.

The Queue only has about thirteen hours left to live. Godspeed, Queue.

Brace yourselves, come Tuesday (at the latest) the republicans and the malcontents will really let rip. Owen Jones must have that face by now that you've got when you're running to the can and wondering if you'll make it.

Whatever you think about the monarchy (in whatever form, in whatever country), it occurred to me as I was watching the Jubilee celebration that as much as they were celebrating the Queen, you could also see their love & pride in the country that had nothing to do with any politician/political movement, etc. It unified the rural Scottish, for example, with the elite Londoners - no matter how different their lives, the Queen was still *their* Queen. It would be nice to have a single, non-political entity that represents your country, but doesn't necessarily try to direct its citizens.

LOL:

Keep apart leaders who hate one another, watch what you feed them and make sure that President Macron is near the front to avoid “a hissy fit”.

This is the advice from former senior diplomats as Buckingham Palace and the Foreign Office try to accommodate perhaps the largest gathering of world leaders since the funeral of George VI.

Lord Renwick, who served as British ambassador to the United States in the early 1990s, said that he felt sorry for the head of protocol at the Foreign Office responsible for avoiding an incident as dignitaries gather in London.

He said that while seating crowned heads of royal families was governed by a clear order of precedence determined by length of reign, other world leaders were treated according to how sensitive they were.

“You can pretend it’s alphabetical order but it’s not,” Renwick said. “Biden isn’t very ego-driven but he’s going to be near the front. Macron [the president of France] would have hysterics if he wasn’t given a place of honour. Olaf Scholz [the chancellor of Germany] wouldn’t care. You’ve got to say to yourself: ‘Who is going to have a hissy fit?’”

To R130, Della and anyone else sharing their views, I've been on DL for a long time. Don't really post all that often, but your comments about the change in atmosphere are quite correct.

I have frequently had to remind myself of a quote that I have found quite useful...

[quote] You don't have to attend every fight that you're invited to.

The few times I have replied to a nastiness aimed at me or one of my posts, I have regretted it because I failed to follow the adage above.

Instead, I have a very long list of "Ignored" posters.

A difference of opinion? Fine.

A legitimate question? Sure.

Doubts about a story, claim or the existence of same? OK. I'll try to find the link.

But nasty for the nastiness - Ignored.

The SS attackers - Ignored.

I don't want or come here for an echo chamber, but keep it civil. If you can't, as far as my experience here, POOF, you cease to exist.

Sadly, I think those who cherish their or others' ugliness have driven away so much of the good gossip. But then, apparently, that's not why they came here.

[quote] Sadly, I think those who cherish their or others' ugliness have driven away so much of the good gossip. But then, apparently, that's not why they came here.

Agreed, r151.

Since the Hillary v. Trump days, it's been noticeable that right-wing bigots/Trumpers have deliberately invaded and then stayed.

You can correctly point out that the DL always has had its resident Republicans. I know because I've been here since before "Peg" appeared during the Presidential campaigns of Bush v. John Kerry.

I kinda got a kick out of Peg, because, while she was dead wrong on her views, she had a flair to her writing and put-downs. She at least was entertaining.

Now, it's just too much work to find a good discussion, for not much pay-off.

I find the left as bad as the right not for intolerance and incivility. I am weary of everything and my long list of blocks slows the site down! Agreed, Della, a burden and too much work because while far, far, far from a perfect person as I age I find principle matters to me more and more and so many of the people here... I am here for like minds until the end of the day tomorrow and then nobody forces you to stay, eh?

I will be sad to see you go Della. I looked forward to your generally reasoned, often eloquent responses and comments as it pertains to the Sussexes. I'm definitely not a fan of theirs but agree some of the responses are over the top for what is essentially a prime time soap opera. That includes the Klan Granny troll besides the trolls making funs of the kids. As far as the racial angle goes, Meghan uses that but we don't have to play into her hands. Please stick around Della, don't let the boors drive you away.

In a tradition dating to the funeral of Queen Victoria, the 123-year-old carriage will carry the Queen’s coffin and be pulled by 98 Royal Navy sailors — rather than horses — from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey on Monday. She will be carried inside by as many as eight pallbearers.

He said the carriage was given to the navy by Edward VII and it had preserved it ever since. Built in 1899 for the standard light field gun of the army at the time, it was converted into a ceremonial gun carriage by fitting a catafalque — a raised platform with horizontal rollers for moving a coffin.

On the day of Queen Victoria’s funeral in 1901, her coffin was to be carried on the gun carriage through the streets of Windsor but in the bitter cold of February the horses that were going to pull it panicked and reared up, threatening to topple the coffin.

Prince Louis of Battenberg — the future first sea lord and Lord Mountbatten’s father — suggested to the new monarch, Edward VII, that the Royal Navy intervene. The King agreed and within five minutes the horses had been unharnessed and improvised ropes attached, allowing sailors to haul the carriage and coffin.

By the time of the King’s funeral nine years later, the drill had been formalised and the honour of hauling the carriage has remained with the Royal Navy since.

It is now kept under environmentally controlled conditions between 16C and 20C and at humidity of between 40 per cent and 70 per cent to prevent it becoming dry and brittle, and to stop fungal growth.

For Commander Steve Elliott, 49, who will be marching in front of the gun carriage, it is his final duty in uniform. He said: “This will mark the end of 32-year service in the Royal Navy for me and my last job in uniform is to convey Her Majesty from Westminster Abbey back to the outside of Buckingham Palace before the onward move to Windsor Castle, which as a last duty I could perform for my Queen and my country it’s a bit emotional. It’s an amazing honour.”

Saw some footage of the Queen lying in state earlier and was taken aback by how emotional many people looked as they bowed at the coffin. It was a diverse crowd, too - people of all races and ages.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte face the biggest moment of their young lives on Monday when they walk behind the late Queen’s coffin as it is carried into Westminster Abbey for her funeral.

Buckingham Palace announced Sunday night that Her Majesty’s great-grandchildren, aged nine and seven, would join the procession down the nave at the start of the service. They will walk behind their parents the Prince and Princess of Wales and in front of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, reflecting their place in the line of succession.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are understood to have thought “very carefully” ahead of the funeral about whether to involve their two elder children, who called the late Queen “Gan Gan”.

Sources noted that they took them to the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service at the Abbey in March, where they coped well in the spotlight.

Both children will also be in the congregation at the committal service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, which starts at 4pm. A decision about whether to include them in the procession at Windsor will be made nearer the time, depending on how they feel following the earlier event.

^ Let's hope Charlotte doesn't act up!

Aw damn, Prince Louis isn't coming!

I wanted to see what the hell he'd do.

Prince Louis is not to be seen in public until his 21st birthday for reasons very well known to him.

[quote] They will walk behind their parents the Prince and Princess of Wales and in front of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Oh, that's got to smart! Walking behind a couple of kids!

No way would I let Harry's wife anywhere near Charlotte or George.

Am I the only one who is rather upset at the fact that voluntary workers have been required to give water, soup and blankets to those who are waiting to see queen Elizabeth's casket, but no one could care any less about the legions of homeless people in London, who normally only receive aggresions and harassment from the authorities? I do understand that this is a historical event and it has some cultural relevancy, but we ought to be ashamed of giving so much importance to the death of a person whose only legacy will be an idealized, postcard like vision of Britain, while thousands are dying of exposure and hunger in the streets, many more are going to food banks because they cannot afford to feed their families, and yet many more won't be able to afford to pay their gas and electricity bills this winter.

In this context, I think that a little bit of restraint would have worked wonders. Also, I think it's outrageous that many members of royal families and heads of state have agreed to fly commercial and arrive in buses, but that senile pervert Biden, the fatuous clown Macron and the depraved slave traders from the Gulf "monarchies" have arrived in private planes, while demanding to be allowed to arrive with a huge entourage of bodybuards in cars. Who do these people think they are? I cannot imagine anyone being so lacking in class and sense of propriety.

Anyway, it would be nice if there could be a bit less coverage of this. It's reaching the point of collective hysteria and we need to go back to seeing far more pressing matters than an overprivileged old lady's passing - especially because she never gave a damn about any of the people who are reacting as if they had lost a close family member. We ought to remember that for Elizabeth, the world was divided into 3 categories of people: herself as the monarch, her family and the rest of mortals. We're hardly talking about Louise of Savoy, who gave her entire fortune to feed and provide assistance to the poorest members of society, are we?

I'm sure that George and Charlotte have been told not to talk to Uncle Harry and Aunt Meg. Or to react to anything they hear them say, just to tell mum and dad about it later.

[quote]Oh, that's got to smart! Walking behind a couple of kids!

R164 is a well-known, pro-Russian troll. Best to block her rantings and move on.

I'd bet my 401K that at some point, Harry claims he had PTSD symptoms from being "forced" to walk in these funeral processions, or seeing his brothers kids do so.

For anyone in the US/Canada: who is getting up at 4:00 AM ET to watch the funeral? I don't necessarily want to watch the funeral - I can catch the highlights on social media later - but I would like to watch everyone process in.

I remember as a kid, my whole family (minus my grumpy dad) getting up to watch Chuck & Di get married.

R164, what you're seeing in London is not hysteria by any definition. But cheer up, back to normal Tuesday. I hope you have rended all your garments, Jeremy.

[QUOTE]but no one could care any less about the legions of homeless people in London,

I didn't realize London doesn't have any social service organizations to help the homeless or drop in kitchens and food banks. A real shame for a first world country and world power. Even the shitty U.S. riven by Trumpian MAGA hatred for the poor and disenfranchised (and the libs) have such resources for the homeless, however paltry they may be.

🙉 MYOFB !

[quote]while thousands are dying of exposure and hunger in the street

Even the Guardian is in on the conspiracy to ignore this epic tragedy. I can'y find a single story about thousands are dying of exposure and hunger in the street.

😂 R171 And you know this to be true because you read it on the internet?

R164 It’s all a bit much. I’m a fairly consistent royal watcher but this is all ridiculous. I can’t figure out why so many people are drawn to see her lying in state. Maybe it’s just that chance to be part of a historical event in some small way.

Congratulations, r174. You receive today's humor-impairment and impervious to sarcasm awards! 🏆🏅

[quote]For anyone in the US/Canada: who is getting up at 4:00 AM ET to watch the funeral? I don't necessarily want to watch the funeral - I can catch the highlights on social media later - but I would like to watch everyone process in.

I've got the DVR set to record. I don't plan on setting the alarm to wake up to watch, but I sometimes wake up around 5am anyway, so I'll probably watch if I do. I work from home, so may watch while working (depending on what I'm doing)

There isn't enough funding for the homeless in the UK, and there are many people who die every winter. However, COVID restrictions and the current energy crisis have made things MUCH worse. There are people who cannot afford to cook food because their incomes are so limited that they cannot pay their energy bills, food banks have seen donations drop to historical minimums due to inflation and there are people seriously struggling as it is, R171. Your sarcasm is misplaced, as is the nonsense written by R173.

I can see that I am wasting my time, so I'll leave this thread - however, I'd like to thank R170 for mentioning the exemplary Jeremy Corbyn, who should be our Prime Minister. Thank you for acknowledging his competence as a politician and level of compromise with the cause of solving poverty.

Me too, r177. I’ll have it playing on the iPad next to my computer.

Macron and his elderly ghoulish wife give me the creeps.

I have the patience of a child when it comes to church services (think of an elder gay ready to jump out of his skin like little Louis at Jubilee festivities), so I'm going to satisfy myself with pictures, highlight clips, and DL live commentary.

I think the Wales children are old enough to handle attending. It would seem odd, even to them, to be excluded from a celebration of their grandmother's life and kept away from something so enormous and historic. They don't have to deal with ridiculous stuff like an open casket viewing like a lot of Catholic kids do at the same age (I was one of them) The ceremony where the casket is lowered into a vault may be a bit much and nightmare inducing, but it sounds like that's up in the air depending on how they cope.

I was taken to open casket funerals at six years old. Italian funerals with lots of wailing.

George and Charlotte will be fine at the civilized, wail-free closed casket funeral.

R164 - Yes, you're the only one.

I’m getting up early, as I did for Di’s wedding and every other event after. It’s my own personal tradition.

R169 My friends on the east coast are getting up at 4am. They live in Rockland County, but do most of their shopping in northern New Jersey, for reasons I'm unclear about.

The wife shared a funny story today. She went to Whole Foods to get scones and Devon cream for the morning marathon. Closter, NJ, I think? Anyway, she got a box of scones ("I should have made them myself," she said glumly, "these are pathetic".) but could not find the Devon cream anywhere in the dairy section. Finally, she asked one of the clerks behind the cheese counter if they carried it. "We do not, Ma'am," he said firmly.

She turned away and glanced up at the shelf to her right, where two small jars of Devon cream stood staring down at her, Union Jack proudly visible. She picked it up and turned back to the clerk holding it up so they could see the Union Jack: "Actually, you do," she said.

Disgusted at their ignorance, she went to the checkout line. There, however, as she laid the two items down, the clerk said, "Are you getting these for the QUEEN?!"

"Well, yes," Kathleen replied. "Well, I think that's lovely!" the clerk said.

So go figure. It's a mixed bag everywhere.

They also reported that the Tappan Zee Bridge lights were purple and silver the night of the day the Queen died.

[quote]For anyone in the US/Canada: who is getting up at 4:00 AM ET to watch the funeral?

I’ll be up at 02:00 Pacific, in BC, to watch the BBC feed, R169! My parents are English (Scousers) - they emigrated to Canada shortly before I was born - and though they’re indifferent to the monarchy and the Church, I just can’t help but feel connected to the traditions (though I’m still an atheist!) This will be a spectacle and a historic event, and I’m here for it.

Oh shit, R185 - I made scones yesterday; I suppose I can make more this evening (it’s not as if they’re difficult). It’s a bit late to make Cornish-style clotted cream though (my grandmother was a Cornish inbred). Butter and strawberry jam - and tea! - will have to do. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Don't you people ever watch East enders ?

England DOES have a welfare system.

[quote]I can see that I am wasting my time, so I'll leave this thread

Aw, jeez and your lectures are so interesting too.

The Bidens have landed.

I think it’s entirely appropriate for the kids to attend the funeral, but putting them in the procession like little show ponies is a little gross to me, especially after hearing both William and Harry mention how upsetting that experience was for them at an older age.

All I can say is that I’m sure all of them can’t wait until it’s over already.

I'd like to see the BBC end their funeral coverage tomorrow by playing the last minute or so of this speech Princess Elizabeth made for Children's Hour in 1940.

Labour MP Clive Lewis wrote that he watched the lying-in-state and felt “bemusement” followed by “despair”. How can Britons who have so little worship a monarchy so dripping in wealth?

But the problem with clever people like Mr Lewis is that they can’t understand simple things. Nor can they intuit the deeper meaning.

Let’s call it what it is: a pilgrimage. The body has been returned to the people; the people have come to see it, drawn by belief, by spectacle or raw instinct. The poverty of the 21st-century imagination betrays the dead and the living. Tradition honours with awe, and it provides those left behind with the language and actions to articulate the inexpressible.

The person who willingly submits to the ritual of the lying-in-state, argued Chesterton, “may not be an exceptional person but at least he understands what is meant by an exceptional occasion.” By contrast, the bright spark who stands above it all forfeits the wisdom of the crowd, and by rejecting history, discards a part of themselves, too – so that they are ignorant even of their own identity.

A million thank you's r191 !!!!!!

Interesting choice for the front page from The Times.

I don't think Murdoch cares for Chaz

Yes, they both look too happy and a bit silly. There must have been better photos available.

And Truss is dressed like a sister wife!

Same here r184.

Many thanks to r191 for posting the orders of service for tomorrow.

I missed this in all of the info going back and forth, but how is she getting to Windsor? Also, the service is starting very late—4pm—does anyone know how long it will be?

r200 The BBC have a pretty in depth timetable

Thanks r201! That’s a great summary. I don’t know why I thought the Westminster Abbey service was later, I got it confused with the service at Windsor I guess.

Can we *please* try to have one official funeral thread tomorrow? If we can be organized on Oscar night, surely we can do it for the queen. It’s what she would have wanted.

I guess I’ll see you bitches at 4am Eastern time, God help me.

I was planning to get up and watch some, but now I'm not so sure. I wonder what would be the best time to watch just the arrivals at the Abbey.

The Queen will be pulled, actually, by 98 navy men, on a old gun carriage from Westminster Abbey to Admirals Arch in central London. There she'll be transferred to the royal hearse, and driven out to Windsor for the committal service.

See you all here at 5:00 AM eastern tomorrow. R203 I don't think the main action starts until then. I have to be at work by 10:00 so will continue to watch the rest and post from there.

Meghan is practicing her big breakdown moment.

Good morning Datalounge!

Showtime starts in 3 hours 10 min. Doors at Westminster Abbey open at 08:00 London time for guests to begin arriving. The main show starts 11:00. Live feeds are available on BBC, Daily Mail and Sky News (Youtube). At 10:44 London time, the late Queen's coffin with be transported from Westminster Hall to the Abbey.

Weather forecast for London, today 19 Sept: Mostly cloudy, 17C high.

[quote] Louise of Savoy, who gave her entire fortune to feed and provide assistance to the poorest members of society

COMMUNIST BITCH.

The Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II thread

R178 Jeremy Corbyn as our next Prime Minister lol, oh my sides. He failed dismally as a labour leader, he led the party to their worst ever election defeat. Get over it and go do some volunteering in a food shelter or something.

We are here to celebrate the life and funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and you are sucking the life out of this thread.

R212 Thank you! Totally agree.

Did anyone else see the double rainbow that emerged over Buck House last night as the reception got under way?

And, it is 9:20 here, the doors of the Westminster Palace are about to close here, guests beginning to arrive.

Gentleman, start your engines!

Brigitte Macron looks like his grandmother in that pillbox.

Good lord, the Bidens are holding hands.

What is that about?!

Wee Nic arriving. One wonders if she's looking around and realising that the Scots may not want to detach themselves from all this, after all?

OMG what the fuck is Carrie Johnson wearing?!

Look at the decolletage and the buttons.

Totally unsuitable.

And what the fuck is that glitter around Cherie Blair's neck?!

The PM in and the Trudeaus in, and the first cars bearing members of the BRF turning into Whitehall.

King Charles on the way now with crowds on the Mall cheering as he goes by.

Charles and William just arrived. Rest of the family coming in now.

Queen and Princess of Wales and the two children on the way. Kate wearing large hat with chin length veil and pearl choker. She looks gorgeous.

And, little Charlotte IS wearing a hat.

And that pearl choker was also the Queen's that Kate is wearing.

There's Johnny!

Kate looks fabulously original recipe Dynasty.

Amazing that thing carried Queen Victoria more than a hundred years ago.

Wow - the precision.

OMG, did you see the blond pallbearer closest to coffin? Is it sinful to be lusting at this point?

Charles looks like he's crying.

You take your chances where you can r228

Life is for living, R228. She'd be the first to say so.

The pipes, the pipes . . .

They would melt a heart of stone . . .

What if the orb rolled off? Have they got rubber cement under it?

It’s jarring to think we were all here to celebrate the jubilee just a few months ago, and now we are here for Her Majesty’s grand finale.

I’m verklemmt, and feeling very Mary! about it all.

R233 Hopefully, as it would break whoever's foot in landed on.

Same, R234. This is a once in a lifetime event; nothing compares to this magnificence.

According to tradition, the cameras will not focus on the Royal mourners during the service.

George looks thinner in person than in photos.

Meghan looks good but Kate looks incredible and dauntingly regal.

And the Sussexes in the second row.

I wonder if the presence of George and Charlotte helped bump the Sussexes to the second row. However, they are seated directly behind His Majesty The King, so they may be OK. If not, I’m sure we will hear about it.

Oh, no! Meghan is obscured by a light pole. Oh, inhumanity of it.

They are the grandchildren, they are in the second row because of that. William and Kate and their children are the next heirs, that's why they are in the front row. Behind Charles doesn't mean anything, it's the way the seats are snaked around.

I love Sophie Wessex. She is one of the best things to happen to the Royal Family, such a steady presence, like Princess Anne. No wonder The Queen loves her. Her Majesty was a fine judge of character,

I'm not sure I would have lead with this.

Note: the grandchildren are across the aisle in the first row, and Harry didn't even make it to the first row there.

Sophie is seated in front of Harry and Meghan because she is married to the son, not the grandson.

The Wales' and Sussexes again far apart.

Zara Tindall looks beautiful.

The Phillipses are first row. King, children, William, then grandchildren by birth order.

Meghan will still be working through whether it's bad she's second row or good behind the King and Queen. She's probably texting Scobie.

R244 Lead with what?

Are we here? The Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II thread just switched into Subscriber.

R245, I think it's along family lines. The children, then the grandchildren, then great grandchildren.

Liz Truss is acting suitably ministerial. I'm warming to her a lot.

Poor Bea, stuck next to Meghan again.

Megs looking around her thinking "Who ARE all these people???"

Meghan looks ready to fly off on her broom to fight Fiona Good.

She's wondering if it's a safe space or gonna go all Moldavia like Nolan Miller joked when he came up with that hat.

I hope Joe Biden doesn't rip a loud fart during the quiet part of the service.

We're still here.

Charlotte is actually singing along.

The Wales children are beautiful.

Am I the only one who thinks it’s kind of cheesy to have a card with the flowers? Too reminiscent of Diana.

Not cheesy, you just don't understand.

Charles wanted the "common tiuch", R259 .

The grannies in the East End love it.

Have they finished crapping on yet???

R259 It is traditional. Keep up, mate.

Just started watching - are Harry and Meghan with the 2nd tier?

The Wales children have behaved impeccably. Charlotte with her hands crossed demurely in front of her.

Margrethe and Frederik in the row of the Crowned Heads. I hope they are taking note of Charlotte for Christian.

Bea just glanced over at Meghan with a look of utter distaste.

Edward is basically breaking down.

The Phantom of the Opera is paying his respects.

Can you imagine if a crown fell off while they were moving the casket?

Sophie looks nice.

Is Sir Elton John there? I mean as a royal and all.

No sign of Fergie, either.

Meg spackled on the bronzer again.

Is Sir Elton playing the organ? Funeral for a friend?

OMG. I want all the pallbearers to do nasty things to me.

Fergie was there. Second row between Huge and Snowdon.

That’s it? I expected the service to be longer.

The wreath contains a sprig from the Queen's wedding bouquet.

The card says, "In loving and grateful memory. Charles Rex"

R277 It is as the Queen wished it. She picked the hymns and readings herself.

They go to Windsor now for the interment service.

[quote]That’s it? I expected the service to be longer.

Isn't that always the way? Even at the end....

There;s the slow drive to Windsor on the A roads, then another service there at 4pm.

Is anything open in London today? Pubs, grocery stores etc? Just curious

I believe absolutely everything shut down for the funeral. Some essential shops were open this morning and will reopen this afternoon for a limited time.

Bea and Eugenie look absolutely grief-stricken.

Charlotte is wearing a tiny diamond horseshoe brooch on her coat.

Look at this photo. Gurl is headed for the top. She looks better than her Aunt Megs.

British VOGUE posted the photo of Kate, George, and Charlotte, but not of Meghan.

I got up too late to see DL fave Princess Alexandra arrive but here she is!

The choker is the one Kate wore to Philip's funeral, I think. The Queen stopped wearing it when she got older, and Diana wore it then.

Lots of comments on SM about how Harry spent most of the service looking over toward William, and that he barely moved his lips during the anthem.

Meghan and Harry should look on this and remember it's their last hurrah at this kind of thing. No one is going to pay the slightest attention to them at the coronation. They're done.

Meghan's hat is cheap looking, there's no other word for it. And the capelet sleeves are also ridiculous. She looks like . . . an actress pretending to be a duchess.

Oh, wait . . . .!

The cape covers the straightjacket. Only way they'd let her in.

Those Royal Navy men and women are still going strong! They don't look like they're flagging at all.

Who are those ladies behind the marching band, the three ladies wearing black funeral dresses and carrying javelins?

Who are the - the Furies?

Leaving London for the final time (sob!)

R293 And a good thing, too. They actually are our serving military, not just decorations.

r294, I believe they were the Representatives of the George Cross from Malta, just behind the Band of the Rifles.

For r294

Look who found the camera.

At least she didn't find the spray tan.

That smug look on her face.

the pipes, the pipes are calling

Are there refreshment/ hydration stations set up along the procession way? Some of those folks doing the Coffin Walk are a tad over the hill.

How far are they making these people walk? Geesh

The Queen’s pony has been brought by the Grooms to watch the coffin go past. The Queen was still riding in the past year.

The Duchess does look particularly good. He clothes appear to be well fitted and I think the hat suits her. Princess Charlotte was my favourite of the day. She reminds me a little of the young Lady Sarah. I hope she adopts her great aunts style.

The corgis....

I lost it at the doggos!

They found beauties in that first line of sailors pulling the coffin and carriage!

That fucking whore Megham on the front row

Where is the really Part 3?

That's exactly what they said about your Mother, R310

That lying whore weeping over the woman she betrayed more often than can be counted.

Now that it's over I would just like to say that the current batch of Meghan-hating lunatics can't even spell her name right, and that's really weird.

Princess Bea looks like drama, mousy victim drama

Madiba, R314.

R306 ThecDuchess looked like what she is: the villainess of the piece. Those gloves under the capelet were absurd.

The funeral was fascinating piece of theatre in which everyone's trail persona emerged.

Those saying Kate wore too much bling are missing the point of her ensemble: I am no longer the demure ingenue, and no mere Duchess: I am now the Princess of Wales, a Duchess thrice over, and at my father in law's age, I could be Queen next year.

Don't fuck with me.

^*real (not tral) persona

The Queen is fine, she sends her love.

It's interesting that although the code of the day seems to have been "Butches marching in the parades, femmes in the limos", Edward chose to march in the parade.

Mother would have wanted it that way.

Now I'm wondering if they're going to be able to get Anne to wear a dress to Charles's coronation.

Yes, it was totally appropriate to wear a military uniform so she could show love and respect by marching behind the coffin, but coronations are a time when the men dress up in furs and gowns!

There really is so much to look forward to.

Anne has worn dresses to every other major royal event. I don't think it will be too hard for her to do so for the coronation. Just don't expect them to be high style. You have Kate, Sarah Chatto and Charlotte for that.

[QUOTE]Meghan's hat is cheap looking, there's no other word for it.

It looks like the hat she wore at the "awards ceremony" at the Santa Barbara polo event where she tried to grab away one of the players' prize.

Besides the heavy resemblance to something Melania Trump has worn or would wear, the big hat and the high-concept dress seemed to be at war with each other. Both were too much at once. She should have simplified one or the other. Still, it wasn't treason and I say that as someone who wouldn't be mistaken for one of her foul mouthed squad that swarms here daily.

DL's very own Queen Charlotte stole the show!