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

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 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.

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.

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.

I can hardly walk and am elderly. If I was able I would at the very least, be part of the crowd lining streets to watch her coffin pass.
She was a woman who had no choice in her career and I doubt if she wanted one. Yet she undertook a job that there were no holidays from and no way of escape from. Undertook it to her very end. She can rest in peace now. Her son is a capable man. May he have good health for his reign.

Billybob4491
I would also of loved to of been part of this time in History as that is what it is . However the prospect of standing & walking (at a fast pace at that ) is what kept me home . Though saying that If One of my DD's or DS had shown the same interest in going maybe even with GC there would of been no stopping me x

I had a chat with the young girl who was doing my nails after the queen died and asked her opinion on the monarchy. She wasn't fussed but wasn't against the monarchy. I think King Charles and Camilla will help pull everyone together and with William and Kate following on with their far more modern look on life I think it will remain relevant. I think we should hold onto the Monarchy. I know not everyone will agree. Aveline I have empathy with your viewpoint. Thank goodness the Monarchy aren't political so we can get rid of politicians that we don't like. I think a lot of countries envy our pomp and ceremony.

Operation London Bridge has been planned for years but this last year the Civil Service preparation has been ramped up for obvious reasons. The smoothness of the media machine with its attendant saturation of much of the population's free thinking time has been engineered as part of the narrative to capture the attention of all generations because it was always going to be on the cards that the Queen's death might bring a huge watershed in opinion regarding the relevancy of the monarchy. So the queuing has been 'invited' by the publication in advance of the rules/facilities etc., a culture of "I have to be there, I must not miss out" has been capitalised upon, and people of all ages have responded to the invitations just to be part of history. My cousin in her 80s queued for 9 hours on Wednesday before the palace at Westminster opened (she can barely stand yet she did curtsey because she thought that was 'the done thing') and my teenage grandchildren tell me that their schools are very much into the media coverage when in fact they should be preparing for national examinations. So, my opinion is that when we see young people travelling and queueing, they are responding to the institutional machine without much personal autonomy.

I think a lot are also looking for something to put on tick-tock. Too. If I could stand for 14 hrs as that’s what it is now lol I think I would like to go but hotels have shot prices up and I couldn’t just go for a day plus my train fare and electric etc going up in next couple of weeks. I’m watching on tv and that way won’t miss a thing lol

I'm a royalist but have always had the greatest respect for the queen. However, I cannot understand people queueing for hours to look at her coffin, especially with children in tow. I don't agree with children under 16 at funerals either.

Do we know if Prince George is attending the funeral at any point? William, or maybe Catherine, was telling people on the crowd how their eldest son understood all about it, compared with the other two.

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

When I was younger I didn’t think too much about the monarchy but as I got older became more aware of the world, world events and our place in the I began to appreciate them more.

I’ve simply loved watching all the coverage. All of it. Everyone’s reactions. People sharing anecdotes and reminiscing. Tears, smiles, sadness, shock, loss, happy memories, funny stories.
I think it’s all appropriate.
Anyone who isn’t interested doesn’t have to watch or read a moment’s coverage.
Everyone who is interested can take it all in.
Thank you British media for allowing me to be a part of history, if only by observation.

I agree, Blondiescot

But we can actually be rid of them if we want.

GrannyGear

I honour and respect the late queen. I think she had a difficult job, thrust upon her and did it excellently. I will pray for her and her family, especially the new King Charles - his mother will be a hard act to follow.
BUT I can't see the point of standing for- not just hours but days - in a queue to walk past a closed coffin "to pay your respects". Far better to watch the procedure in comfort on TV I wonder how many extra patients the London hospitals will have because people have chosen to stand for ages exposed to our uncertain weather? Aren't the NHS busy enough?

There were 397 needing medical treatment and 17 admissions to hospital as of yesterday.

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.

I had been wondering about how young people viewed the monarchy but I was with my 16 year old granddaughter when the news broke and she was in tears

Please do not do a disservice to our younger community ! Many realise we live in very trying unusual times and want a stable happy future ! I suspect they perceived the Queen as a stable influence in their lives! Many I know are not particularly Monarchists or Royalists but do respect the monarch being head of state ! They are showing respect by being there as well as wanting to witness an enormous event ! Good for them ! I shall watch from the comfort of my living room and remember my wonderful mum who died Sept 19th 2014 , surname Pope ! Celebrating a Queen and a Pope on the same day !

I'm not a royalist but have always had the greatest respect for the queen. However, I cannot understand people queueing for hours to look at her coffin, especially with children in tow. I don't agree with children under 16 at funerals either.
People can see everything on TV on all the main channels and news channels. IMO the only people who should attend and file past the coffin are her family and her friends, and those she decorated with medals, OBE, etc.

I honour and respect the late queen. I think she had a difficult job, thrust upon her and did it excellently. I will pray for her and her family, especially the new King Charles - his mother will be a hard act to follow.
BUT I can't see the point of standing for- not just hours but days - in a queue to walk past a closed coffin "to pay your respects". Far better to watch the procedure in comfort on TV I wonder how many extra patients the London hospitals will have because people have chosen to stand for ages exposed to our uncertain weather? Aren't the NHS busy enough?

I went to Winston Churchill's lying in state in 1965. I was 24 and queued for an hour or two in the snow to get in to where his
coffin was. It looked just like the Queen's lying in state as seen on TV. I am so glad I went.

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.

Good for them ?

Normandygirl .. You might be right there ! and I could see the "glee" on the faces of those that were picked out to chat to the TV !