Beautiful memorial service for Prince Philip

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.

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!!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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, 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.

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.

Yes Allsorts, you said it so well.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Inevitable that H and M bashing is alive and well.

Why focus on Harry? He was not at all notable by his absence, he is irrelevant. Far more engaging personalities in the front rows.
It just shows people looking for something of no substance.

Vanessa59

Why focus on Harry? He was not at all notable by his absence, he is irrelevant. Far more engaging personalities in the front rows.
It just shows people looking for something of no substance.

I wasn't.
It was just a response to the comments of others which assumed he was persona non grata.
I think he would have been very welcomed by his grandmother, but he is old enough to make up his own mind what to do.

And yes, a grandson is relevant.

It was a lovely memorial service, I so enjoyed the hymns

Callistemon - I agree, if H had arrived, or visits in future, I can’t imagine his grandmother being anything other than pleased. Her track record is one of continuing love for family, like most of us

Be very dull on an opinion forum if we all regurgitated the same story so as not to offend those who admire Harry and Meghan’s behaviour so much.

Be very dull on an opinion forum if we all regurgitated the same story so as not to offend those who think that calling people out for making up stories about minor royals means that we admire Harry and Meghan. .

Relevant to his granny yes and that is something he will have on his own conscience.
But not relevant to the proceedings.