The age of those flocking to see the cortege of the Queen and to the lying in state.

sandelf

Very many of the British public have experience of other systems and regimes (for many reasons) and do appreciate that mad though our system seems on paper, it is very hard to find one that works better.

That is a very good point sandelf. I have lived in a country where the people in the local villages were regularly marched out of that village by one side, only to be go back to their houses when the other side came along.

I think that to many, a constitutional monarchy means a stability many countries just don't have. As I keep saying, show me a system that works better, and I will look at it. No one has so far.

Blondiescot

Latest estimate is 14 hours in the queue. That's just madness to me - especially the ones with young children and even babies.

But no one is asking you to do it. It the choice someone else is making.

I don't see it as "crying over her coffin" or "ghoulish" at all. I cried lots in the week between my Dad's death and his funeral (a week!? it was five weeks for my husband!) but he had been old and sick and I knew I was not crying because of his death, but because of his life and how much he had given me. Sometimes that kind of awe can bring on the tears too.

Amalegra

My adult children are, surprisingly, taking an interest in the monarchic tradition because of all this! I have tried to carefully explain over the years the role of a constitutional monarch in a democracy but they have never been very engaged. I feel it’s important for the younger generation to know the checks and balances such a system provides and how it may benefit the country, although there are of course other constitutional models to consider. I am not into the cult of personality surrounding members of the RF although I think her late Majesty did a superb job and that certain members who live abroad are neither useful or advantageous to this particular Firm.

I agree - constitutional monarchy is just one of many systems of government which can work brilliantly or can be an unmitigated disaster. I think it's working pretty well here, so why change it? If it were such an anachronistic idea, one can only wonder why Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and Spain have all settled for it. I don't think being the monarch in this country is "privileged" in the sense that you can have whatever you want, far from it, I think EIIR had very little choice of what she did in her daily life, and as for "all that money", what good is any of it if you can't spend much of it on your own pleasures?

So, Head of Government elected and reconsidered every few years; Head of State, no infighting, brought up to the job - I'm happy with that (and CIIIR has already pledged to "behave himself"

I agree with Riverwalk …
Has anyone else noticed the growing tremor that the queen consult has? if that’s her correct title ?
I often still feel sad it’s not Diana there, & seeing her lovely grown sons
But she seems long forgotten now …time moves on I guess
Met her once, and what a beautiful, and so sincere lady bless her ..

My son wanted to queue to pay his respects but when they were advising queuing might be for 30 hours he reluctantly decided against it. In the end he and my DGS went to Park Lane and waited for the cortege driving from Northolt to pass by. A moment in history that they will remember forever and my DGS will no doubt recount to his grandchildren, if he has any (I don't want to be presumptuous). There was a great atmosphere and the crowds weren't too deep.

Eloethan hospital appointments are still going ahead here and Covid jabs. I work for a volunteer group who drive people to and from, we have a number of drives.

Without starting a monumental 'debate', and as a matter of interest, just who would the republican supporters think a suitable candidate as HofS?

A substantial percentage of the crowds and those queueing will be there because it’s a historic event and they want to feel part of that and be able to tell others. Look at how many are photographing the crowns and taking selfies!

TanaMa

Without starting a monumental 'debate', and as a matter of interest, just who would the republican supporters think a suitable candidate as HofS?

David Attenborough. Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Anne Glover. Floella Benjamin. Alf Dubbs.

I could go on.

As a huge admirer of the queen it breaks my heart to see the waste of flowers (never mind the ridiculous queues). All probably at least £5 each. Think of the good that money could have done in the Queen’s name. I’m appalled at the money being spent and can’t believe such a down to earth (comparatively speaking) frugal women would want this terrible expense and fuss.

TanaMa

Without starting a monumental 'debate', and as a matter of interest, just who would the republican supporters think a suitable candidate as HofS?

Wouldn't this be a better question on a new thread?

Why not issue tickets on line instead of queuing for 9 hours or more? I feel its to add to the awe and pageantry. If people want to pay their respects that's fine I personally don't understand it. When I die I want my body cremated ASAP. I would absolutely hate it to he driven through the country and then viewed. It all feels a bit whipped up to me.

TanaMa. Charles, of course. A lifetime of training and experience to be the head of state.

The comment on devices, they are banned in the hall so there are no photography allowed. It is not respectful to a woman who did her best to fulfil her duty,

henetha

TanaMa. Charles, of course. A lifetime of training and experience to be the head of state.

Are you a republican supporter henetha?

How would a ticket system be better than queuing Tinydancer? It would end up in a complete scrum.

DaisyAnne

Blondiescot

Latest estimate is 14 hours in the queue. That's just madness to me - especially the ones with young children and even babies.

But no one is asking you to do it. It the choice someone else is making.

That's why I said "to me". Obviously it is their choice (although babies and children don't have much say in the matter), but I'm allowed to have an opinion on those choice, am I not?

(Eloethan
My NHS appointment is going ahead on Monday.)

I don’t see the point of queuing for hours to see a coffin which can be viewed on TV, especially with young children - they won’t remember it.? I think it’s more a case of being able to say ‘I was there’.
I agree that the queue will undoubtedly cause extra work for the NHS. I think the Royal Family could have done what many families do - request charity donations instead of flowers.

Volver
Some of those suggestions for Head of State are getting on a bit! Is there a reason why you favour mostly scientists?

I'm surprised at how many simply upped- sticks and made their way to London? I'd never dream of doing so. I agree that lots of younger gens appear to be lot more interested than I'd imagined too, I feel I've missed out a lot being adopted into a family where father was a staunch loyalist to Irish Unitarianism and we didn't have Queens speech or anything else royal related either acknowledged in our house. We did watch the royal family documentary in 1969 but weren't to tell him we did so , ma me and sis watched when he wasn't in!! We were more likely to sing Faith if our Fathers or Man Behind The Wire than the anthem! Yes, I do now feel I was denied a massive chunk of who we are as a nation.sad but there it is. I have always liked princess Anne but mostly due to her horsey - ness, I loved them too!

None of them are older than the late Queen was. Even Attenborough I think?

Only 2 of them are scientists. Later on I thought of Malala, or Mark Muller Stuart?

Both my children early to mid 30s, were pretty deferential towards the fact that the Queen had died, particularly when talking to us and picking up on our sense of loss, albeit not personal. Having said that they certainly wouldn't be queuing up, one of my sons works up in London several days a week and was staggered by the sheer numbers milling about when he phoned yesterday. I definitely won't be going up to London to join in just too much of everything, people, queues, flowers, tears. I felt quite nostalgic the other day, having worked in St James's Square for quite a few years which is just off Pall Mall a mere short walk away from where everything was taking place. We will watch the funeral on tv on Monday I'm sure I'll find myself becoming emotional, irrational I know

Bibblebibbleblop

As a huge admirer of the queen it breaks my heart to see the waste of flowers (never mind the ridiculous queues). All probably at least £5 each. Think of the good that money could have done in the Queen’s name. I’m appalled at the money being spent and can’t believe such a down to earth (comparatively speaking) frugal women would want this terrible expense and fuss.

Aside from the flowers bought by members of the public, your Queen was very much up for huge amounts of public money being spent on her demise. She planned her own funeral in detail and but is costing taxpayers £6 billion! She didn’t trouble herself to say that any of that offensive cost should be paid from her estate, despite public services being on their knees and British people struggling in poverty. She also knew that her estate would not be subject to any inheritance tax. I’m guessing you think that’s all perfectly fine!

Stella14

Bibblebibbleblop

As a huge admirer of the queen it breaks my heart to see the waste of flowers (never mind the ridiculous queues). All probably at least £5 each. Think of the good that money could have done in the Queen’s name. I’m appalled at the money being spent and can’t believe such a down to earth (comparatively speaking) frugal women would want this terrible expense and fuss.

Aside from the flowers bought by members of the public, your Queen was very much up for huge amounts of public money being spent on her demise. She planned her own funeral in detail and but is costing taxpayers £6 billion! She didn’t trouble herself to say that any of that offensive cost should be paid from her estate, despite public services being on their knees and British people struggling in poverty. She also knew that her estate would not be subject to any inheritance tax. I’m guessing you think that’s all perfectly fine!

I think the NY Times were responsible for giving out the false information about the cost of The Queen's funeral and then retracted their statement. The very same publication who a couple of years ago told their readers that Londoners dine out on Porridge and mutton allegedly! No doubt after that particular gruel had been digested, the diners shinned up to the rooftops with Bert the Window Cleaner shimmying across them whilst simultaneously warbling "step in time"