History written with tears and pride
I have lived overseas for 19 years, but I was never prouder to be British than yesterday. I am a (South) London boy and the world’s best city was resplendent as the country and the world stood still to witness the first state funeral in almost everyone’s lifetime.
It was an emotional yet beautiful spectacle as the world watched every tiny detail so perfected that not even the biggest budget or best film director could recreate. The Queen meticulous to the end as every rehearsed and planned aspect was executed perfectly. Real life theatre showing history being made. It was a wonderful tribute to the most loved sovereign.
Literally how iconic are Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle. Jaw-dropping buildings, older than most countries. The pipers, the choristers, the breaking of the wand, the bearers…. the transfer of the coffin to and from the gun carriage. That got me 😢 I have to say.
The possession down the Long Walk to Windsor Castle was hypnotizing, the crowds, the flowers, the Queen’s horse Emma, the corgi’s waiting. Then the lone piper walking off into the distance. So poignant, so moving.
Still, it was a funeral, a family had lost a matriarchal loved one. I suspect all of us watching were drawn to think about our own loved ones that we have lost. This whole week especially I have thought a lot about my Nan, who was our very own family protector and guide. I have missed her a lot this week.
Charles looked broken at the end. What a week he has had. He has a lot to live up to, and the world is a different place, but I wish him nothing but the best.
An emotional and historic day, a history lesson even. Sleep well your majesty and God Save The King. 🇬🇧
Kirsty Young said it best:
Agreed, the whole day was meticulous to the end, planned and executed superbly. No-one, but no-one, does pageantry like our superb armed forces.
Charles has a hard act to follow, but I have a feeling he will step up to the plate.
Yes, it was a sad day, which had us all thinking of lost love ones, but it is a new dawn for our Great Britain, so as we say Rest in Peace Your Majesty and thank you, we also say God Save the King to Charles 111.
So, so, acceptable. God Bless Our Queen Elizabeth. So proud to be English.
Well said CA, perfect summary.
Personally I said I would watch a bit of the proceedings, but somehow found myself drawn in and remained in front of the TV all day.
My son and his young family took themselves up to London and stood in the queue for 12 hours to spend a few seconds passing Her Majesty coffin.
Like everyone else who did the same, he said he just felt he should be there.
A once in a lifetime moment.
Very proud to be English.
Well said CA and everyone else, it’s a day we will all remember and never be forgotten. Those young lads carring the coffin, will be one of the proudest days of their lives to have had that honour along with their families.
As a Nation, we all came together as one, long may that continue and as Houndal said, it makes you proud to be British.
God rest you your Majesty and God save the new King Charles 111.
We left for the USA in 1977 and have been here ever since except for a couple of years in the early 80’s. Never has my homesick barometer been more tested than this week. Like you I have been extremely proud of our country and to see how the Royal family have handled their grief and shared it with us has been faultless . The pomp and circumstance choreography of yesterday was absolutely incredible with so many moving parts seamlessly coming together faultlessly. It was an historic day, one that I would have loved to have shared by being ‘ back at home’. King Charles 111( we are the same age and supposed to have been born on the same day which didn’t happen) has begun his reign in a way I hope he continues. To see him and William show up on Saturday at the line for Westminster Hall and shake hundreds of hands was for me touching and a sign of his reign to come . For the last week or so I have been up at 2-3 am in CA to watch the days events and so glad I was able to. Long live the King.
What a great précis of the days events. Your summary encompassed every emotion possible. Nobody does pomp and circumstance better than the British. The English and Scottish tourists boards should brace themselves for a busy few years ahead. God save the King.
Whilst wholeheartedly agreeing with all the previous posts may I indulge in a little levity with one and all :
We have moved from the Elizabethan age to a new Carolean age. I have to confess this is a word I have not come across before and I am sure the same applies to many of the new King’s subjects.
I just wonder if King Charles might consider a more common word or phrase for his subjects….I reckon he would be quite happy with ‘Charlies Angels’. For myself, I would be quite happy to be grouped with a ‘Bunch of Charlies’.
My wife has had the temerity to write to our new King, with the above suggestion, (following on from heartfelt greetings and condolences).
I await the beefeaters for my escort to The Tower….But might just be saved by the fact that Camilla and I were born on the same day!
Nicely summed up CA…thank you !!!
A fitting, much deserved and very emotional send off. I intended to watch a bit and then dip in and out but sat glued to the television screen all day. I had to nip out early doors so I missed the very start, I have never seen the roads and streets so quiet – even lockdown was busier and most of those out were dog walkers and the like.
Whatever we get wrong as a nation we do pageantry like no other. But…this had been meticulously planned for years in advance and as much as I loved the theatre of the occasion I began to feel sorry for King Charles and the Royal family. I’m sure he would have wanted a quieter, more private ceremony but like the last two weeks he has been on the go, traveling from Scotland, to London, Wales Northern Ireland. Somewhere in there he also had to be proclaimed King and he had to do his mourning in public. I caught a glimpse of him at the end, in St George’s chapel looking utterly, emotionally spent. The Queen herself was working to the last moment, ushering out a prime minister, welcoming another and doing other stuff and at the age of 96 just two days before her death. It’s inhumane to the Windsors to put them in this goldfish bowl. You could also see that the body language between William and Harry was non-existent. Harry clearly wants out and I don’t blame him leaving William having to shoulder the responsibilities of being next-in-line whether he likes it or not while living in the continual media glare and I suspect they had an argument, or the continuation of one, behind the scenes.
I started the day a republican – albeit one that respects the institution of an inherited monarchy and the selfless devotion to duty by the Queen etc and I ended the day a republican.