[Split] Current Affairs - The Queen

[barney]

I switched over to ITV as they appear to have taken a less formal approach to their commentating…did anyone watch the last nights ‘Queens life in pictures’ which was an interesting look back on her upbringing both in picture and video.

Yes Keith, it was very good wasn't it.

Yes Stephen, it clearly demonstrated what a doting father King George was to his children and what a happy upbringing the children appeared to enjoy.

I’ve never mentioned it before Keefy, but my father was actually a pall bearer at the funeral of George VI.
He was a submariner in the RN and was chosen along with 141 other ratings to pull the gun carriage with the King’s coffin on board.
I’m fortunate enough to be the proud owner of the medal (Royal Victorian Silver) with all of the relevant paperwork and even a contemporary photo with my dad clearly visible.
I’ve had it all framed and it’s currently hanging in my hallway.
I’m very proud of it and it will be passed to my nephew, his eldest grandchild, on my demise.

[Stephen]

One thing this country is extremely good at, and that is ceremony. No one else does it as good as we do.

[Onelife]

Yes Keith, it was very good wasn't it.

Yes Stephen, it clearly demonstrated what a doting father King George was to his children and what a happy upbringing the children appeared to enjoy.

I’ve never mentioned it before Keefy, but my father was actually a pall bearer at the funeral of George VI.
He was a submariner in the RN and was chosen along with 141 other ratings to pull the gun carriage with the King’s coffin on board.
I’m fortunate enough to be the proud owner of the medal (Royal Victorian Silver) with all of the relevant paperwork and even a contemporary photo with my dad clearly visible.
I’ve had it all framed and it’s currently hanging in my hallway.
I’m very proud of it and it will be passed to my nephew, his eldest grandchild, on my demise.

Hi Barney…thanks for sharing that with us… as you say something to be very proud of as a son and a great honour for your father. I was listening to a report the other day where it was saying one third of the country’s population have witnessed the Queen, whether that be personal or just as a bystander looking on. My own encounter happened some 35 years ago when I was competing in Dog Agility at Tatton Park. We had been informed that the queen may pay us a visit and just as I was about to start my round, I looked up only to see the Queen and her entourage looking on…I’m thinking I must have cocked it up as she didn’t come over and congratulate me but it was one of those encounters you never forget. As an aside I did qualify for the barbour pairs that day.

[Onelife]

This evening I felt the first bit of sympathy I’ve had for Charles since the tragic loss of Princess Diana. Some of the protocols and pageantry seem to be a bit OTT especially for a man who has had a full day of protocol duties. The ten-minute vigil standing in front of his mother’s coffin while the public filed by was in my opinion unnecessary and something akin to a circus.

And no I won’t be reaching for a tin hat because that is what I think.

[oldbluefox]

Charles must be absolutely exhausted after the day he has had. Bearing in mind he is 73, an age when most of us are retired today was a punishing schedule both physically and emotionally.
I was very surprised to see the general public passing by at what was a very private vigil for their mother. This was a time for private reflection, something difficult to achieve with the general public filing past and gazing upon this apparent spectacle. It made me feel very uneasy with what I was witnessing. Surely for ten minutes the doors could have been closed.

[Mervyn and Trish]

The thing that made be uncomfortable today was Mrs Krankie. She spoke some fine words in the Scottish Parliament and read well in the service. But all the time I was thinking hypocrite. This is the woman who wants to destroy the Union.

[david63]

Did anyone else spot the two security guys at the front of the procession this afternoon? The gave the impression that they would shoot first and ask questions later.

[Onelife]

Did anyone else spot the two security guys at the front of the procession this afternoon? The gave the impression that they would shoot first and ask questions later.

Funny you should say that David as my wife said exactly the same, in fact she said both security guards looked armed and dangerous.

[oldbluefox]

Did anyone spot the guy in the crowd who was giving Andrew grief? I couldn't tell what he was shouting (but could guess) until out of nowhere somebody grabbed him by his coat collar and he suddenly made a sharp exit. I presume security were feeling his collar, literally.
Walking behind the coffin as they were must have been a security nightmare.

[Stephen]

Did anyone spot the guy in the crowd who was giving Andrew grief? I couldn't tell what he was shouting (but could guess) until out of nowhere somebody grabbed him by his coat collar and he suddenly made a sharp exit. I presume security were feeling his collar, literally.
Walking behind the coffin as they were must have been a security nightmare.

Probably asking if he was available for a spot of baby sitting.

[Stephen]

Charles must have been bored out of his mind last night listening to the Scottish parliament one by one offer their condolences and allegiance.


I could almost see him thinking ‘is this ever going to end’.

[david63]

Did anyone spot the guy in the crowd who was giving Andrew grief? I couldn't tell what he was shouting (but could guess) until out of nowhere somebody grabbed him by his coat collar and he suddenly made a sharp exit.

I see that the "do gooders" are on his case saying that his right to freedom of speech has been affected. There is a time and a place to protest and that was neither the time nor the place.

If it was up to me all such episodes would end up in the Bloody Tower - never to be seen again.

[david63]

The ten-minute vigil standing in front of his mother’s coffin while the public filed by was in my opinion unnecessary and something akin to a circus.

I have no views one way or the other about that - after all it was the King's choice to do it and if he hadn't done it then I doubt that anybody, other that a few royal protocol experts, would have known any difference.

[oldbluefox]

I get tired of hearing the expression "It's my right".
It's also the right of those who were there and had waited for hours to pay their respects not to have it disturbed by some clown with his own agenda.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I agree. Andrew is not my cup of tea but there's a time and place and this isn't it. Rather like the Covid deniers protesting outside hospitals where victims were dying and staff working their butts off. Rights come with responsibilities.

[Onelife]

The ten-minute vigil standing in front of his mother’s coffin while the public filed by was in my opinion unnecessary and something akin to a circus.

I have no views one way or the other about that - after all it was the King's choice to do it and if he hadn't done it then I doubt that anybody, other that a few royal protocol experts, would have known any difference.

All I would say David is that the vigil is a recent addition to the protocols of Royal departures and if one isn’t carful these sad occasions could turn into protocols for protocols sake.

[Onelife]

I get tired of hearing the expression "It's my right".
It's also the right of those who were there and had waited for hours to pay their respects not to have it disturbed by some clown with his own agenda.

I think you and me have an uncanny way of agreeing with each other…other than when you are wrong of course

[CaroleF]

The first Royal Vigil was when George V died in 1936. Edward VIII (Duke of Windsor) and his brothers, Prince Albert (George VI), and the Dukes of Kent and Gloucester did a vigil over their father's coffin when it was in Westminster Hall, and there too the public continued to file past. Queen Mary was so thrilled at what her sons did she had a painting done to commemorate it. Then when George VI died a similar vigil took place. I would assume if the King and his brothers and sisters wanted it to be in private they would have requested it.

I heard on the news that the guy who was protesting on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh should have been grateful that the police took him away as he was in danger of being lynched by members of the public. I would guess that if anyone tries the same thing in London they might need rescuing by the police.

[screwy]

Did anyone else spot the two security guys at the front of the procession this afternoon? The gave the impression that they would shoot first and ask questions later.

Funny you should say that David as my wife said exactly the same, in fact she said both security guards looked armed and dangerous.

Our Son in Law was a Police Officer for 30 yrs. He spent a good few years as an armed officer and was a ‘ Close ‘ protection officer at the London Olympics.
He told us that the suit jackets are made specially to hide the weapon underneath.

[david63]

I would guess that if anyone tries the same thing in London they might need rescuing by the police.

Nah, just leave them - after all British justice is based on trial by your equals

[barney]

This evening I felt the first bit of sympathy I’ve had for Charles since the tragic loss of Princess Diana. Some of the protocols and pageantry seem to be a bit OTT especially for a man who has had a full day of protocol duties. The ten-minute vigil standing in front of his mother’s coffin while the public filed by was in my opinion unnecessary and something akin to a circus.

And no I won’t be reaching for a tin hat because that is what I think.

Ritual is an important part of the history of our nations.
Ancient ritual is even more important.
My Masonic Lodge was consecrated in 1843 and the ritual has not changed a jot since.
We are proud of that.

[Onelife]

This evening I felt the first bit of sympathy I’ve had for Charles since the tragic loss of Princess Diana. Some of the protocols and pageantry seem to be a bit OTT especially for a man who has had a full day of protocol duties. The ten-minute vigil standing in front of his mother’s coffin while the public filed by was in my opinion unnecessary and something akin to a circus.

And no I won’t be reaching for a tin hat because that is what I think.

Ritual is an important part of the history of our nations.
Ancient ritual is even more important.
My Masonic Lodge was consecrated in 1843 and the ritual has not changed a jot since.
We are proud of that.

I’m in no doubt ritual plays an important part in past and present history but believing in the sincerity of some of the performances is getting increasingly difficult to believe.

[Stephen]

Anyone that tries to disrupt proceedings in London for the Queens funeral are going to be in for a rude awakening.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... urity.html

[Mervyn and Trish]

I was part of a BBC team covering the Pope's visit to York in 1982. Our commentary position for his arrival by helicopter at the racecourse was on the roof of the grandstand. Next to us was a police marksman. As the Pope made his way down the row of dignitaries greeting him including the Lord Lieutenant, the Chief Constable and various church, civic and community leaders his eye was to his telescopic site as he tracked down the line. I wouldn't have wanted to be him, making a split second decision if one of the line up made a suspicious move.

[screwy]

Everyone is quick to criticise the firearms officers when they make a mistake,but who in reality would want to change places. These officers are very highly trained and have psychological reviews annually.