The Queen…

V3ra a very sensible decision, but a lonely journey for him, unless of course other grandchildren are flying with him.

My daughter told me of the situation at lunchtime - and I wanted to cry. Perhaps because she has been there for virtually all of my life. As a very small girl I recall the death of George V1, and remember the Coronation the next year. God bless her.

Meghan has made several scathing remarks about the royal family in her very recent PodCasts and a veiled threat that she will speak out about them in a recent magazine interview so with that and the fact that she was only a member of the royal family for a very short time I’m not surprised that she isn’t accompanying Harry. Hopefully she will keep quiet for the foreseeable future.

The Sussexes may have their children in the UK too?

merlotgran

Nicholas Witchell has stated that Meghan might not be warmly welcomed.

And The Duchess of Cambridge? Who is also not attending.

I too remember the death of George V1th, I was 9 and we all cried. I think Annie's right, we are being prepared for the inevitable. I shall be very sad.

I remember the death of George V1 because we were sent home from school at midday, and I remember the photograph of the three Queens, Mary, Elizabeth and Elizabeth, heavily veiled at the funeral. But nothing like the coverage because few people had television.
Inevitable, but still sad.

I’ve just seen that Harry is going alone. Quite right as I found it astonishing that Meghan would attend. I suppose Harry is her grandson but I’m sure it would have been a terrible atmosphere if they were both there. If and when the Queen does due it will be a seismic moment for the country.

Germanshepherdsmum

It's strange that Harry is travelling alone and that Meghan is staying in London, albeit not attending an event tonight. I hope they are not preparing to make capital out of this, not feeling welcome etc. Not the time or place, but I wouldn't put it past them.

I don't expect we will hear anything until after Harry has arrived and the Palace has informed Commonwealth leaders, assuming of course that the end is imminent as does appear to be the case.

I suppose it is just possible that MM is being 'diplomatic' - knowing that this is a time when it's really not about her?

Who knows?

It would certainly be better on such a sombre occasion if the media attention was not diverted, if you see what I mean...

I'm not even a monarchist but have been shedding tears on and off since I first heard the announcement earlier today.
I am SO sad, especially with the country in such dire straights too. She has always had a steadying hand on it.
God bless her.

WW The Duchess of Cambridge is with her children. The Queen’s death will be a momentous occasion for them, not just because she’s their great grandmother but once protocol kicks into gear they will have a lot to deal with.

I think it would be inappropriate for Meghan to be there and not Kate.

Have just discovered my first post. I thought it hadn't gone through so apologies for the repeat.

I do see what you mean, Dickens, but after the way she has behaved I err on the side of thinking it has been made clear to her that her attendance would not be a good move. I'm not sure she knows what 'diplomatic' means. If she turns this into another publicity opportunity she is unlikely to be forgiven.

The Duchess of Cambridge is of course with her children, quite rightly. There has been no mention of the Sussex children having travelled to the UK.

I thought I would feel emotional on a day like today but strangely not, though I feel the goosebumps mentioned earlier. I guess that, despite being a monarchist and a great admirer of HM, I see a very long life well lived and for her there is no sadness in death.

Harry on his way to balmoral alone! just heard on news.

I’m expecting a 6 o’ clock announcement.

It is little Prince Louis’s very first full day of school, so it is appropriate for the Duchess of Cambridge to stay with him.

"Calendargirl", I too believe that the Queen died a few hours ago when Nazim whispered in Liz Truss's ear during Parliament. After that, all the family members were seen to be heading to Balmoral. I think they are all organising and arranging for the announcement. I feel very sad and tearful. It is the end of an era. So sad.

Also, of course, the first day at a new school for George and Charlotte.

This will be a poignant time for both Prince William and Prince Harry bearing in mind that they were staying at Balmoral with the Queen when their mother died. Whatever the day brings, this is the day that everything changes for the family, and for us all.

I've just sat down to read the thread.
I'm sorry if I upset somebody but I haven't a clue how. It's just my personality to make light of tragedy and I apologise.
My second post was just stating facts as I saw them.

Here is a helpful account of Operation Unicorn and the events that will follow an announcement of Her Majesty’s death.
www.scotsman.com/news/national/what-are-operation-unicorn-operation-london-bridge-and-operation-spring-tide-the-secret-plan-outlining-what-would-happen-if-the-queen-dies-in-scotland-and-what-happens-next-3827727

Jenn53

Just to clarify, I didn’t actually say the Queen died a few hours ago, I was quoting another poster.

I really hope she is still alive, not just because I want her to be, but to give family a chance to say their goodbyes,

Why do we have to have nasty comments about Meghan on this thread? We are all posting lovely memories about the Queen and how sad it is that her life is coming to an end. Please, please leave all the petty unkindness about Meghan out of this. Harry is the Queen's grandson and he absolutely adores his grandmother, his wife and his two sweet children, this is the life he wanted, love and support and his own family not being the heir to the throne, he wanted his own life away from the "Royal Family" just as his mother wanted. After all, he is the spare NOT the heir. All I can think of at this moment is the sadness of the end of the life of the Queen. She has been a wonderful and dutiful Queen for 70 years. I was born when she became Queen. Let's not sully this thread with unkindness and petty hatreds.

Jenn53

"Calendargirl", I too believe that the Queen died a few hours ago when Nazim whispered in Liz Truss's ear during Parliament. After that, all the family members were seen to be heading to Balmoral. I think they are all organising and arranging for the announcement. I feel very sad and tearful. It is the end of an era. So sad.

I don't think that she had died then, Jenn. The Palace would have a set order for notifying people and it wouldn't have been done in that way, pieces of paper passed round in the HoC. If she dies in Scotland, however, the death certificate will I believe state the time of death if known - though it's not impossible for things to be fudged in this sort of situation. However, we won't know until all those who really need to know have been told. I trust Harry will arrive 'in time', or I can imagine the can of worms that would open. His choice I expect to travel separately though - he was in London.