Beautiful memorial service for Prince Philip

Literally, someone said upthread, I’m afraid I can’t ever see Harry or Megan wanted here, when talking about yesterday's service and the Queen's future.

So you're right, we don't know and people should stop projecting their own feelings on to something we know nothing about.

volver

Another Republican view...

In some people's opinions, the Queen still loves her second son, who may be a sexual predator (allegedly), but she doesn't have any time for her grandson who is a former army officer who started the Invictus Games and clearly puts his wife and children first.

Funny old world.

We don't know that.

She is, in all probability, bitterly disappointed that Harry and Meghan didn't come over for the memorial service as all the rest of the family were there including Philip's cousins.

Harry was notable by his absence but he is an adult and can make up his own mind what to do.

Another Republican view...

In some people's opinions, the Queen still loves her second son, who may be a sexual predator (allegedly), but she doesn't have any time for her grandson who is a former army officer who started the Invictus Games and clearly puts his wife and children first.

Funny old world.

Allsorts

Hate the sin, love the sinner. Dislike Andrew, smarmy and arrogant but the Queen sees her beloved son not what we do. A very nice service in memory of Philip and glad she was there, it’s a pity her last few years of a long life have been of family estrangement and her sons sex scandal. I’m afraid I can’t ever see Harry or Megan wanted here..

I’m afraid I can’t ever see Harry or Megan wanted here..

We can only guess based on personal bias / experience what the Queen thinks and feels about H&M. We simply don't know her innermost thoughts.

The never-ending tabloid headlines about 'what-harry-did-next' haven't escaped her notice. Who knows how this affects her? Harry is her grandson, for all his sins. What matters is not what we think, but what she feels.

A little less prurient interest from the Royalty-obsessed media wouldn't go amiss. Some families have their disgraced members, their black sheep, but they are loved none the less. And fortunately most families don't have their family history paraded in public. She does, and those who - in homage to "our Queen" - never miss an opportunity to condemn H&M thus ensuring further headline-grabbing column inches - should think on the possibility that they are further adding to her grief in her declining years.

... but that's from a Republican POV which probably won't go down well here. The Queen may be an icon, but she is also a human being... and one who's job it is to hide her own feelings, but she certainly has them.

The Arch Bishop of Canterbury took part in the service as did
the vicar of the Queen’s Parish Church of Balmoral.

Yes Allsorts, you said it so well.

Dickens I wholeheartedly agree with your post.
It’s very sad.
When the Queen goes it really will be the end of an era;
and the end of so much more.

I, too, wondered who was the lady with the Duke of Kent. No mention was made of her by the commentators. Certainly wasn’t his daughter. Looking at a picture of the family in church, he didn’t look to be sitting next to her.

It might have been a nurse or carer.

Hate the sin, love the sinner. Dislike Andrew, smarmy and arrogant but the Queen sees her beloved son not what we do. A very nice service in memory of Philip and glad she was there, it’s a pity her last few years of a long life have been of family estrangement and her sons sex scandal. I’m afraid I can’t ever see Harry or Megan wanted here..

At least the men didn’t raid the dressing up box with military uniforms .

As a Republican I watched parts of the service.

What struck me most is the realisation that, when the Queen eventually hands over the reins, we shall not see her like again. She represents a stoicism and sense of duty that is becoming (has become?) a thing of the past.

Whatever one thinks of the Monarchy, the Queen has elicited respect for these traits. She lives on a different platform to the rest of us but at the same time, she does read the newspapers and cannot be immune to the effects of the 'ravaged' world she is leaving behind. Yet she still retains that quiet dignity and air of keep-calm-and-carry-on, and never seems to falter. She's earned that respect.

The Queen rose gloriously to the occasion and looked amazing. It was touch and go whether she would attend, but her unwavering sense of duty won the day.

It was such a statement that she chose Andrew to escort her. She was saying that a mother has unconditional love for her child whatever the world thinks. She always gets it right, and that is why she is so respected and admired.

In case the Queen pops on GN, I just want to say you looked wonderful your Majesty, and Im so happy you could attend with your family.

I looked at her picture with my specs on and thought "If that's Princess Alexandra as it says, then she's changed beyond recognition!!" gillgran

Thanks Callistemon21,, I was confused as I had seen the lady arrive with the support boot & knew it wasn't Princess Alexandra.!
I know they have all aged, but now the media are changing them into different people!!

Callistemon21

gillgran Another report states:
The Queen's cousin Princess Alexandra, 85, cut an elegant figure in an emerald green coat as she arrived at Westminster Abbey today, using a crutch to support her as she walked across the cobbles.

Only believe half of what you read in the media!

Believe the first report not the second one, gillgran (only believe half of what you read).

The person arriving in a boot and with a crutch was Lady Susan Hussey, not Princess Alexandra,
Apologies.

Yes, it may be true, but it was totally out of place and disrespectful to the Queen because she had chosen Andrew @Merlotgran

Another thing I thought was strange was that it was said that Andrew was picked "because he doesn't have a partner" Yet I've seen him with Sarah Ferguson and they look like a couple... Mind you, the Duke may have banned her from the service?

OnwardandUpward

Yes the Queen did very well!

I thought it was a bit low of the BBC to mention that the Queen was escorted by Andrew , following his very public court case etc... I thought, oh give it a rest. Any other day and we'll all say the same, but on his Dad's memorial it was tacky to bring up his unsavory behaviour.

I thought the same. It was a totally irrelevant comment.

gillgran Another report states:
The Queen's cousin Princess Alexandra, 85, cut an elegant figure in an emerald green coat as she arrived at Westminster Abbey today, using a crutch to support her as she walked across the cobbles.

Only believe half of what you read in the media!

Yes the Queen did very well!

I thought it was a bit low of the BBC to mention that the Queen was escorted by Andrew , following his very public court case etc... I thought, oh give it a rest. Any other day and we'll all say the same, but on his Dad's memorial it was tacky to bring up his unsavory behaviour.

I didn't see Princess Alexandra, ? How did I miss her?

I read that Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Kent were unable to attend gillgran

What a beautiful and moving occasion, and so pleased the Queen made it. It was entirely appropriate that Prince Andrew escorted her in.
It was a fitting memorial for a steadfast character.

I enjoyed watching, it certainly was a beautiful memorial service, very fitting for Prince Philip.
At first I was surprised that Andrew got what seemed to be a privileged role, then I thought that he, being the only "single" son/daughter of the Queen , was the obvious choice, ( also he had a less public walk to his seat)!
I was pleased & relieved that the Queen was able to attend, she is looking frail, now showing her age.
You are right that the older members of the royals are ageing, Yes, the Duke of Kent, now 86?, has aged, (who was the lady walking beside him as he entered the Abbey?) I didn't see Princess Alexandra, ? How did I miss her?
I loved the music & the flowers.
A great occasion.

I don’t often watch royal stuff but saw a few snips on the news

The Queen is making a big statement by walking in with Andrew instead of Charles she is telling the world he’s my son I love him and he is by my side whether you lot like it or not
She’s telling everyone to get on with it she’s not turning her back on him
And none of you haters know anything about Harry maybe she told him to stay away to stop more hate and vitriol from the country ….but of course it’s his fault isn’t it

Have just watched it on catch-up. A very moving service and all the members of the royal family together apart from Harry of course. I wish he'd been there. Lovely flowers in the abbey too.