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The Lying in State

(63 Posts)
MawtheMerrier Wed 14-Sept-22 22:19:03

Are you there? Did you go? Do you plan to? Would you have liked to?
When the Queen Mum lay in state I promised myself that when the Queen died I would go to her lying in state.
But of course I haven’t- I can’t sleep on pavements, I’d be on my own, what would I do about food/drink/loos? So of course I have chickened out - but I sneakily wish I had had the confidence and nerve to try.
It’s too late now as I am off to Paris for the weekend on Friday (although slightly dreading the €* back on Sunday night which could be horrendous.)

MayBee70 Thu 15-Sept-22 09:08:27

I would love to go but couldn’t cope with the travelling and the queuing. Seeing the look on peoples faces on tv makes me realise that it’s a very emotional experience. Had I had a clear week I would have gone to Edinburgh but I had two events planned either side of the day I could have gone and it would have left me shattered. I feel that I have let her down though!

Jaxjacky Thu 15-Sept-22 09:14:15

Just seen on BBC a 91 year has queued, amazing.

Callistemon21 Thu 15-Sept-22 10:05:46

At least we can watch on a reasonably sized TV, in colour, from the comfort of our armchairs.

When the Coronation was on television my parents bought a black and white TV and all the neighbours crowded into our sitting room, peering at the small screen.

ixion Thu 15-Sept-22 10:08:36

Disappointed to see that (some) men are not removing their hats on paying their respects.
Or AIBU?

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 15-Sept-22 10:10:38

I agree. I too have been disappointed by that.

Maggiemaybe Thu 15-Sept-22 10:29:32

I’m surprised they’ve got away with it. DH got dunted in the back and told to take his hand out of his pocket by a man even older than him when we were looking round a cathedral in Vilnius. grin

Kim19 Thu 15-Sept-22 10:52:24

I was once told firmly to remove my hat in a church in Italy. Never understood that nor had the courage/ language to query it. Not a chance they thought I was male.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 15-Sept-22 11:05:05

That surprises me in a Catholic country. Was it a proper hat or something like a baseball cap?

Fleurpepper Thu 15-Sept-22 11:06:09

Some in shorts and t-shirts! Yes, I am amazed that anyone wotuld queue that long and then not have a clue about appropriate behaviour. I am so glad they banned phones and cameras.

Felt so sorry about the guard who fainted and fell, poor man. First time I visited Windsor Castle, it was very hot. One of the Guards was sick, then fainted and fell flat into the puddle he had made.

But no, I wouldn't go.

Mine Thu 15-Sept-22 11:18:31

No have no notion at all to go and see the Queen lying in state...I don't agree at all with all the pomp and ceremony I think it's totally outdated and completely OTT....This is my opinion but I totally respect that other people have a different view.

Joseanne Thu 15-Sept-22 11:22:37

I would go, London is my town, but I won't be back home in time.
I am, however, in the most British Town in France.

silverlining48 Thu 15-Sept-22 11:39:09

Maw like you I would have liked to be there too but am without a reason. (Paris? Lovely). I too would not want to go in my own and could not stand and wait that length of time.
You say ‘many of us on this site have met her, or attended investitures or BP garden parties’. I would have thought perhaps a few, but not the many. Certainly not me, or mine, despite decades of public service. How nice to have had that opportunity.
RIP Queen Elizabeth 11.

karmalady Thu 15-Sept-22 11:48:19

Thanks sago. I found livestream on red button on tv. Freeview channel 601

I won`t be glued to tv but will pop in at times. Wish I could have paid my respects in person to our queen who did so much for us and so selflessly. RIP

karmalady Thu 15-Sept-22 12:02:38

some visitors are getting special treatment and ushered to the front. Who are they?

Katek Thu 15-Sept-22 12:02:43

We debated going to Edinburgh but it’s around a 3hr drive each way. DH thought we could just go down and back again but we would have been exhausted by the time you added in the queuing time. It was quite a short window to try and organise a trip, but we did go to Balmoral on Saturday so I’m content with having paid my respects there.

Fleurpepper Thu 15-Sept-22 12:04:26

A difficult question. But where does 'respect start and 'voyeurism' begin? Perhaps for another thread.

MayBee70 Thu 15-Sept-22 12:08:37

Some very sarcastic comments re queuing from a Facebook friend. I was going to point out that no one is being forced to queue and the queuing itself is bringing people together in much the same was that the peoples vote marches that we used to go on together did but in the end I kept quiet. For now. I think the Queens death has resulted in even more divisiveness in this country which saddens me greatly.

silverlining48 Thu 15-Sept-22 12:19:24

It’s inevitable I suppose that the Queens death will allow debate about independence of particular countries, both near and far. Scotland among them probably. I have no tie to Scotland, but would be sorry if they decided to leave the UK. Wales too though probably less likely, but it’s up to them of course.

Zoejory Thu 15-Sept-22 12:20:41

Fleurpepper

A difficult question. But where does 'respect start and 'voyeurism' begin? Perhaps for another thread.

I doubt voyeurism will ever begin.

Definition of voyeurism the activity of getting pleasure from secretly watching other people in sexual situations or, more generally, from watching other people's private lives

Not much private about a state funeral

Kim19 Thu 15-Sept-22 12:43:16

GSM, it was a kind of sunhat. Decidedly feminine and in no way offensive. In the Puglia area it happened. I'm still confused but....hey....

Jaxjacky Thu 15-Sept-22 13:03:06

karmalady I believe those of a certain age or with a disability are being fast tracked to minimise their wait.

ixion Thu 15-Sept-22 13:06:26

Delighted to see that unused food and drink is being collected for donation to food banks.
Bravo.

volver Thu 15-Sept-22 13:07:11

silverlining48

It’s inevitable I suppose that the Queens death will allow debate about independence of particular countries, both near and far. Scotland among them probably. I have no tie to Scotland, but would be sorry if they decided to leave the UK. Wales too though probably less likely, but it’s up to them of course.

Although many will no doubt think it inappropriate, please can I point out that independence for nations has nothing to do with the monarchy. An independent Scotland would still have King Charles as Head of State. He's our King too.

Fleurpepper Thu 15-Sept-22 13:09:25

Zoejory

Fleurpepper

A difficult question. But where does 'respect start and 'voyeurism' begin? Perhaps for another thread.

I doubt voyeurism will ever begin.

Definition of voyeurism the activity of getting pleasure from secretly watching other people in sexual situations or, more generally, from watching other people's private lives

Not much private about a state funeral

There are many official descriptions of the word.

2. uncountable noun

If you describe someone's behaviour as voyeurism, you disapprove of them because you think they enjoy watching other people's suffering or problems.

Elegran Thu 15-Sept-22 13:32:26

I'd have said that the word for enjoying watching other people's suffering or problems is "schadenfreud" Voyeurism is enjoying watching other people's sexual antics or watching them being naked while they are unaware of you looking at them.