Queen Elizabeth II, died on Thursday 8 September 2022

[Quiksilver]

There are also some who have/had the deepest respect and admiration for the Queen, without being particularly enthusiastic about the rest of the Royal family.

[Wilbro]

I wouldn't class myself as a left winger to say the least but what I do think is that the current UK Government is totally incompetent and corrupt. Hence I detest them and their policies. I would say the same were it Labour, LibDem or Monster Raving Loony.

Back on subject, as usual the organisational skills of the Armed Forces, Police and the Church was incredible and from us saying we would "dip in and out" of the funeral we more or less watched the lot. A magnificent spectacle.

[Bayleaf]

I watched much more than I intended to, in between dashing around doing some usual chores. It was certainly witnessing a major episode in history - whatever your thoughts are about the Monarchy.

Little details that we picked out though - that the Spectre and Orb (and the Crown for that matter) were joined to the top of the coffin in some way, so no danger of wobbling or falling. The precision as to every manouevre was amazing. (There was a little spider walking on the card atop the coffin at one point!) Also, the fact that they used Navy personnel to pull the Gun carriage, as when horses were used for Queen Vic's coffin, one horse was so startled, it nearly pulled the whole lot over!

As for the slow walking, hat's off to them all for that - it looked painful after some time! Much too slow for the few horses that were used (I expected more horses, but I wonder if they'll have less of a presence now?) There was much fidgeting from the group of horses as it's difficult (and boring!) for them to go that slow for that long. Much head tossing (could have been bothersome flies), and a couple of horses going sideways. Queenie loved her horses, but not if they were naughty!! There's a famous photo of a shetland nibbling at the bouquet of flowers she was holding!

Back to work ..... and I hope the Royal Family manage finally to have a day or so of peace to themselves.

[Mangetout]

Besides a small handful of sensible posters I have been disgusted to read some of the extreme left wing republican posts in this thread.
What is it with the majority of British expats to France?
Is being a socialist compulsory?

Could you highlight the extreme left wing comments made because I can't find them. And just so I know where you're coming from, what do you consider socialist.

[MAD87]

@Richard: I'm not a socialist in any country - never have been, never will be! I am, however, a citizen of 2 republics and like many English speakers in France, I have a somewhat broader view of politics and economics since living here. I'll admit to having gradually moved further Left from my centrist position since 1991.
I was brought up in a family where British, Irish and German policics were on the menu at mealtimes and in the days where newspapers were bought twice daily. German politics has faded away, replaced by French. It's inevitable - no man is an island.

[Blaze]

There are also some who have/had the deepest respect and admiration for the Queen, without being particularly enthusiastic about the rest of the Royal family.

Absolutely right, Quiksilver.

One great difference between the UK and France is that the UK head of state (the monarch) is non-political whereas the French head of state (the President) is political. I can't say that living in France for many years (and not in an anglophile community) has persuaded me that a republic is preferable to a monarchy. Over the years, the French have never stopped complaining about whoever is President at the time, blaming him for all the ills in the country. We could look at the state of the French health service for a start .... At least the Royal Family cannot be blamed for the problems in the NHS ....

We have never had UK TV and having seen how appallingly French TV covered the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, we watched the BBC website live coverage through my laptop onto the TV screen. The commentators remained respectfully silent through the service in Westminster Abbey and also in the chapel at Windsor so we were able to enjoy the beautiful music and hear what was being read. The service and readings had all been chosen in consultation with the Queen and I thought the way Baroness Scotland read was very moving. Like Bayleaf, we watched more than we'd originally intended. The service at Windsor was wonderful, the choir were sublime. The singing of the Russian Kontakion of the Departed was a nice touch, perhaps another of the Queen's subtle messages that Vlad P does not represent the Russian people.

A quick look at BFMTV showed yet another banal discussion between two commentators who talked over each other, analysing the relationships between William and Harry, Charles and Harry, whether Harry and Meghan would be "accepted back" and other trivia that had nothing to do with the funeral. Even Stephane Bern, who calls himself a historian, was happy to join in the chit chat rather than explain some of the history of the traditions as David Dimbleby or Huw Edwards did.

[Pathca]

I hope they give Huw Edwards a good break after this! I appreciated the lack of chatter during the ceremonial aspects of the events
It makes you appreciate how good the UK are at organisation Police Officers from all over the four nations were taken to London ,accommodated ,fed , watered ,given roles ( and when I say all over even States of Jersey and Isle of Mann sent officers) that’s beside the military etc etc

[niemeyjt]

I must say I was very happy no one tried anything stupid (apart from the gentleman who tried to take the flag off the coffin) - whether the Police deterred or shut down threats.

[Pathca]

Apparently he thought the Queen was still alive and wanted her to get out
I think it’s a bit of both,a high visibility presence as a deterrent,we will never know what intelligence they have had and what’s been prevented

[Sparkle]

I was watching on and off on the PC 'live' whilst doing other things. TBH I wasn't at all moved by any of it until the piper's lament and seeing the Head Groom with QE's horse Emma and then the corgis waiting at Windsor - very sad indeed. Apparently there was around 4,000 military personnel on parade - I take my hat off to them - what a day - did they manage to get a drink of water?