Must say I have been impressed by the wide age range of public watching events.

6 hours in front of the TV. Phew.

What about those pipes and drums at the beginning of the procession this morning. Amazing.

I’ve marvelled at the scale and precision of the ceremonies and despite never intending to watch the funeral I haven’t moved from it once. Watching the Queens personal piper walk away with the sound of his pipes fading while the Queens coffin was lowered was the one point where I filled with emotion.

Thought the very young pallbearers were exceptional as well.

Outstanding display today for HM send off. The services were brilliant hats off to the RN with the gun carriage escort and the Genadier Guards carrying the Queen.
Hats off ladies and gents for such a sad occasion you all did the Queen the King and the nation proud. Nowhere in the world can touch our pageantry. Emotional yes and for me proud of my public service.

A very moving occasion full of pomp and pageantry like only this nation can do.

I too marveled at the pallbearers doing their job with accuracy, oak coffin with lead lining must have been quite heavy

Never been a monarchist or flag waver, but I take my hat off (if I had one) to every person that was involved with the planning and execution of the whole operation from start to finish. Only the British could carry off something with that expertise and precision.

Took me a while but eventually found out that the march performed by the Pipes & Drums of the Scottish & Irish Regiments was called Mist Covered Mountains and was written by Mark Knopfler.
That piece just set me in for the full duration.

Hats off to the man, he was absolutely immense today.

She was a great Queen, and did a lot for this country, and she will be missed.

It was a very emotional day, for all.

It was a very good send off for her, and one that makes you proud to be British.

RIP Your Majesty

I'm not a fairytale Monarchists, as Parliamentary Monarchies and Republic's in purely political terms work as well as each other, so I've never been bothered in that respect.

However in purely financial terms the Royal Family pays its way many times over, nobody visits France in the hope of seeing Macron etc etc. The pomp and ceremony works only because it's based on real history. The reason the Guards don't look like Disney tin soldiers is because those bearskins were not just created for effect, they were won in battle from Napoleons Republican Guard, there is real history in all this, some of it a thousand years old old.

But mostly it's not them though the Queen was exceptional. It's who they keep out. If we abolished them can you imagine what sleazy creeps would battle their way to replace them. President Blair or Johnstone or even Sir Rodney Walker anybody? Thought not.

The only power they have is to stop the above and for that I swear my allegiance all day long. Charles and William would have to be truly dreadful to blow it, so we are in safe hands from that perspective.

With two exceptions they do a great job in the full glare of a sometimes hostile press and they never complain.

We are different to the rest of the world and I celebrate that even if some of it appears truly odd. Long live the king, long live the UK and its quirky, belligerent and occasionally bonkers people.

I'm happy for Charles to represent me and my country. And William and George after him.
They are trained for this from birth. The history they bring with them is priceless.

The thing is, she was never destined to be Queen. I'm sure someone will correct me but her uncle was next in line but declined? Then her father died fairly young?

To be thrust into the position at 25/26 and serve for 70 years can only be respected.

She was very good for this country and will be missed, the one constant in an ever changing world!

It's from the 'Local Hero' soundtrack. Glorious soundtrack. Glorious film.

Her uncle was King Edward VIII.

He chose to abdicate because he wanted to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Different times!

At the time it created a massive scandal and was unacceptable both to the Church of England and politicians of the day and a lot of the public. It created a constitutional crisis and damaged the monarchy.

Both the King and Mrs Simpson where strong Nazi sympathisers as were many of the aristocracy in the 30's. They actually met Hitler after he abdicated against the advice of the government.

Due to their fascist tendencies, they were considered a national security risk and had to leave the country during WW2. The late Queen and her mother never forgave them.

France is the most popular tourist destination in the world and their monarchy was abolished centuries ago.

Interesting post, vasty.
However, as the Queen was more or less politically powerless, we still managed to elect the the likes of Tony Blair, Boris Johnson and who knows, possibly a Rodney Myerscough Walker type, who effectively assumed the roll of "president."

But their tourism is built around other things.
Its a good point but not a direct comparison as we'd have to change so much it would take 50 years and we still wouldn't match France.

As Vasty says, we need to focus on what's unique about us.

That's the great advantage of having a parliamentary democracy. You get the choice to vote them in. Or vote them out.

Interesting. Thanks

I saw that film on telly years ago and remember liking it and thinking it was a real feelgood film. I can't recall why or anything about it other than Burt Lancaster was in it and it's something to do with oil off the scottish coast.

Deleted opinion

I meant no offence… I have nothing personal against the individuals (in essence they are figureheads) indeed the Queen appeared to be a respectful and dutiful incumbent.. her passing, like that of all elders is sad and (in her case) poignant.

And I accept your point that (whilst I hold my view) this is not the place to discuss…

I have deleted

Honestly I didn't find it offensive and you didnt need to delete.
I just didn't want it to start a discussion that others might take too far.

I reckon if you built Disneyland UK just outside London it would see tourist numbers surpass those of Paris