Watching the funeral procession

Re the cost of the funeral, I found this earlier. I will refrain from offering my opinion.

But think all the money it generated for the economy in foreign tv revenues, expenditure on travelling, hospitality.

Not to mention The Queue, the solidarity it inspired, the friendships that were formed. DD grouped up with a half a dozen people who she could not possible otherwise have met, so different were their back grounds, and thanks to modern technology, they are going to be in contact with each other for a long time.

I think the Queen has generated an enormous well of goodwill for this country, overseas and united us in a way we were not before.

Not everything can be measured in money terms.

I have no idea how much money has been generated from the funeral; I think it’s unlikely to amount to billions though.

I meet many people from different backgrounds to mine volunteering in a food bank.

HannahLoisLuke

Pittcity

I think that the military, police and all others involved have done a fabulous job.
I hope they get a rest before they have a Coronation to plan for.

We were interested in the Queen's private secretary who is 7ft 2 and walking in front of the coffin.

7’2”? I read that he’s 6’4” still tall though

I think that the 6’4” tall man was Tall Paul, the Queen’s footman, very close to the Queen. He was named Tall Paul as opposed to Small Paul, (Burrell) who was once a footman to the Queen, than became Diana’s butler, (her rock).

The 7’2” man was the private secretary.

(I know, I am a fount of useless info re the Royals!)

?

Is there a (for want of a better word) a "do" put on? Some kind of reception? Or do they just disperse among the crowds, or go off to their respective embassies?

Hurdy-Gurdy: I don't know what arrangements have been made on this occasion, but heads of states, where presidents or royal don't usually stay in their embassies on these occasions. They are after all in London as the guests of King Charles and his family.

The usual procedure if for some of the visitors to stay in the various royal residences that are in daily use and those there is not room for will be staying in one or other of London's renowned hotels.

Presumably, there would either be a reception, for want of a better word, or a state banquet in the evening, or lunch today before the various guests started catching flights home.

Some may even stay a day or so longer, if presidents and prime ministers want the opportunity to talk to their opposite numbers in Britain. Others if they are close friends of the Royal family may stay a day or so more to catch up with family news. After all, royal families are much like any other in this respect - the older you get, the more likely you are to meet your more distant relations principally at christenings, weddings or funerals.

But yes, it certainly went off well, and I am sure both the royal family, the hereditiary Marshall of England, the commanding officers, the Metropolitan police and MI5 slept soundly last night with a colossal sense of relief that there had been no terrorist attacks or accidents due to parts of the crowd getting out of control.

I was amazed at how I felt by the whole event! The pall bearers were incredible, the piper outstanding, the crowds impeccable , all families and signatories respectful but emotional ! Britain at its very best! I received messages from NZ and OZ staying this so I am proud of my country and its residents today !

HannahLoisLuke there was a 6ft 4 footman nicknamed Tall Paul. This fellow is called Matthew and is taller.

grandtanteJE65: the evening before the funeral King Charles & the Queen Consort hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace. Attendees were Heads of State, senior world leaders and diplomats.
Once at Windsor, after the public ceremony etc, the royal family, at last, had peace and privacy.

The United Nations General Debate started at 9am today, in New York.

Heartwarming and sad all at the same time. Everything went beautifully and everything perfectly executed. Perfection, the Queen would have been so proud of her men, I'm totally proud to be British.

It was all beautifully done - from those amazing pallbearers, the special hymns sung and the mix of people from all nationalities who came out to pay their respect and love for Queen Elizabeth 11. The sound of the bagpipes of the lone piper was when shivers went up my spine and I became tearful.

The choreography outside Westminster Abbey was amazing - hundreds of members of the armed forces working in absolute precision, what organisation! I hope that the congregation inside the Abbey watched it later on catch-up/the news or whatever. It was perfection.

Northernlass

That’s an interesting statement about the cost MaisieD; could you explain it a bit more?

You mean the one about much of the money coming back to the Treasury as tax?

Leaving aside any revenue that might have been generated by TV rights etc. just think of all the aspects of the funeral, and the preceding day's events which would have had to be paid for. All the fuel for the cars and buses needed, and for all the people who made special journeys to cities or viewing points to see the hearse on its journey south or the proceedings in London. Then hire fees for transport. As MOnica said, the hospitality industry which must have fed and housed many of the participants. The cost of hundreds of barriers to line the routes, which I would imagine are probably hired, the printing of orders of service. It's all a bit overwhelming to try to think of everything, but everything provided which had to be paid for would have been provided by private businesses and their staff.

Much of this would have been subject to VAT, so that's a start. Then the businesses have to pay their staff, so income tax paid on that. Then when the workers spend their money there's tax on just about everything they buy. It goes on and on. You think of something, it is taxed somewhere along the line. The only thing that won't be taxed is anything anyone manages to save for spending later.

That is basically how the domestic economy works, it doesn't matter if the money is put in by the state, as it was for the Queen's funeral celebrations and the new King's receptions and memorial services to attend, or by 'investors' or whatever. All transactions involving payment to businesses or individuals will end up being taxed away at some point as it moves round the economy. And it all helps people to make a living.

I hope I haven't been too confusing with this explanation.

If anyone would’ve clapped at my mothers funeral I’d have told them to ‘go away’…in no uncertain terms….. how can anybody even think that is right!? …..totally disrespectful…. I don’t care about ‘different times’ a funeral is a funeral is a funeral!

Saggi

If anyone would’ve clapped at my mothers funeral I’d have told them to ‘go away’…in no uncertain terms….. how can anybody even think that is right!? …..totally disrespectful…. I don’t care about ‘different times’ a funeral is a funeral is a funeral!

Well they wouldn’t have would they. I’m assuming it was not a public event.

vegansrock

Why all this “we do this better than other nations”? boasting? Ever seen a Russian or Chinese military parade ? Or the French ones come to that. Yes it was a fine spectacle and made us proud( if just for one day to quote David Bowie).

Yes as a matter of fact I have. Russian and Chinese. Not a patch on the variety with the British and no historical connections,either.

And I haven’t even got a British passport. I identify as Australian.

I found the clapping rather odd, but each unto their own. I watched the funeral procession from the London Road in A
shford, as it passed me I just bowed my head and put my right hand across onto my heart, as a mark of respect to our/my late Queen. She was the only constant in Britain and she will be missed.
There were people of all ages including a group of young males, who were very respectful.

nanna8

vegansrock

Why all this “we do this better than other nations”? boasting? Ever seen a Russian or Chinese military parade ? Or the French ones come to that. Yes it was a fine spectacle and made us proud( if just for one day to quote David Bowie).

Yes as a matter of fact I have. Russian and Chinese. Not a patch on the variety with the British and no historical connections,either.

I don't think it has anything to do with throwing an enormous parade to display our military might, like in Russia or China.
It was quality not quantity in the case of The Queen's funeral, personal touches abounded, the change in scenery at different locations was spectacular, the music was moving and fitting, and the crowd participation was instinctive and emotional. The military part was wonderfully choreographed to bring everything together but was not necessarily for show. Not boasting, but yes, nowhere else in the world can compete on such occasions.

The Russians always feel the need to march 10,000s of troops for hours, all dressed in dull khaki. plus tanks and bumbs galore We did the funeral with, around 1,800, plus a few dozen horses and one gun carriage, without a gun on it.

And as the Russians have shown us in Ukraine, there is no point in having a very big parade, if when you try and use all those troops, they are as much use as a chocolate teapot.

As*Joseanne said*, quality, not quantity

plus tanks and bumbs galore
Now that would be a spectacular and arresting sight M0nica!!

According to press reports the 7’ 2” gentleman who marched with the Queen’s coffin down the lanes to Windsor Long Mile was indeed named Matthew Magee and like Tall Paul was given a nickname - Massive Matthew. He worked for the Queen for 4 years as her private secretary.

And as the Russians have shown us in Ukraine, there is no point in having a very big parade, if when you try and use all those troops, they are as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Another thing to bear in mind is that these troops in their colourful uniforms are not just “tin soldiers”. I believe Queen’s Company, from which the bearer party was chosen, are currently in Iraq on active duty - the men of the bearer party were flown back to take part in the funeral.

Those eight young lads who carried their Queen's coffin were amazing. They did her proud...

Thank you MaisieD. It would be enlightening, to say the least, to see a cost analysis etc for the event.
My DH, and many who work with him, are employed on a p/t hourly paid basis for 2 days a week. Their work days include Mondays; they lose a day’s pay this week (no tax paid, of course). I assume there are many individuals and businesses who have incurred financial losses as a result of the bank holiday. Extremely unfortunate when we’re living through a cost of living crisis, not to mention the threat to food security.

I feel for those individuals and families who cannot afford the privilege of dignity and pride.

Not everyone watched it. I certainly did not. I did some satisfying DIY instead.