Monday 12th September
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| 255/365: the last one from the bouquet, one of the lilies |
It looks like it'll be another day glued to the TV to follow the latest events ... the King's visit to the Palace of Westminster where he'll receive a Motion of Condolence and address both Houses of Parliament, and then the service for the Queen at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and a visit to the Scottish Parliament.
I'll have plenty of time to catch up with things after the 19th, so am not too worried that I've let everything else go. It is, I hope, a once in a lifetime event for me although I have watched a State Funeral before when Sir Winston Churchill died in 1965. The rest of it is all new to me though and, while I am watching the events marking the end of the Queen's life and will be saying goodbye to her in my own way, I am particularly fascinated by all the ceremonies related to the new King's accession to the throne ... I read about them years ago, but to actually see them playing out is a wonderful experience and a real link with the past.
My sister contacted me yesterday to see how I was and said that they were all feeling as weepy as I am. The slightest thing seems to set me off! Are you all feeling the same?
It's a really sad time, she was loved by all, Sir Mick Jagger said 'she was the nations granny', which sums it up perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI like that ... it does sum it up perfectly x
DeleteI'm sad Eileen, I shed a tear when I heard the news the Queen had died. I was watching Liz Truss in the House of Commons announcing the help with energy bills when the announcement was made about the Queen's health so knew the end was approaching but still quite a shock later that afternoon. The Queen reminded me of my own mother who was just three months older than the Queen but sadly my mother did not live such a long life. I am interested in the events and ceremonies of this week and I watched the procession yesterday. It's a tough time for our now King Charles grieving the loss of his mother and for the rest of the Royal Family. I will be watching the telvision with interest this week.
ReplyDeleteThe Queen reminded me of my Mum although Mum was 8 years older. I think it's triggering similar memories for lots of other people. King Charles must be exhausted with all he has had to do. It must be hard for him and for all his family to deal with the public when their own grief is still so raw.
DeleteI'm feeling a little more tearful when I think about things. It's that feelng of being in history, and a chance to say - I saw it, I was there!
ReplyDeleteYes, I understand what you mean. I don't think we'll have to wait too long for the coronation this time either.
DeleteI think I am. It's rather brought back Mum and dad's passings again - perfectly natural but a bit difficult at times. As everyone says, she's just been there - just there - all my life and it's oddly unsettling now.
ReplyDeleteThe very youngest in her family haven't been mentioned much and I can't help wondering how they are. They all seemed so very close to her and she to them. It is hard to explain death to young children.
xx
Yes, I know what you mean. My thoughts are with my Mum as well. I read an article by Billy Bragg today and, while I don't agree with some of the things he said about parliament, his likening of the Queen's passing to the passing of a generation hit home and made a lot of sense to me. My Mum's life definitely ran parallel to the Queen's, both living through the abdication of Edward Vlll, getting married at similar ages, experiencing WW2, having their first two children at the same time, and so on.
DeleteCatherine mentioned that Prince Louis said “At least Grannie is with Great-Grandpa now” but that's the only mention I've seen. It's bound to be upsetting and unsettling for the children after losing Prince Philip only last year. xx
I am definitely feeling very weepy, so much that I am restricting myself of how much I want to watch right now. I like that we can bear witness to history. Like you having read about many of the ceremonies it is most fascinating to see them enacted on TV. Some real use for the technology. Watching The Prince of Wales, you can only imagine his thoughts might be, this will be what I have to go through some day. SO many protocols. I wonder if all the eight Grandchildren will take part in the Prince's Vigil along with the four children of The Queen?
ReplyDeleteThere are many many protocols but as they are revealed to us and we hear the wording or the oaths and declarations it is easy to understand how essential this process, and the speed of the process, was in previous centuries. The UK newspapers are suggesting that her children at least, and maybe the grandchildren are expected to provide the guard over the coffin for part of it's time in London. It's traditionally a male thing but I think we'll see Princess Anne take part if her siblings do. I'm not sure about all of the eight grandchildren though as James Viscount Severn is only 14 years old and as a family, they must be aware of the emotional damage done to William and Harry (who were 15 and 12 at the time) as a result of their involvement in their mother's funeral.
DeleteI've just seen that all four of her four children are taking part in the vigil in Edinburgh today.
DeleteI have to say I am surprised by how sad I am feeling at the Queens passing. She is someone who has been there the whole of my life. I remember my Mum and Dad had a scrapbook they had made at around the time of her coronation. It also brings back the loss of my Mum and Dad and feel quite emotional on times. My Mum would have been 102 this year and how ever long or short we have our parents it is never long enough. It must be very hard on the Queens children and grandchildren to continue with the official things that have to be done. Helen S.
ReplyDeleteI understand everything you are saying and feeling ... my Mum would have been 104 this year. We were talking about that last night, saying at least we had the chance to grieve in private and could suspend most responsibilities but that's not the case for the Queen's children and grandchildren, and that must be so hard for them.
DeleteI'm amazed at how fresh those flowers look, even after so many days! I, too, have been watching what I can of the events taking place over there, even though only the highlights of events are being shown. I'm learning a lot of new things about your customs and traditions. :)
ReplyDeleteThe bouquet has lasted well. I must ask where they bought it from.
DeleteI admit I am enjoying seeing all the traditions relating to the new monarch. It's the first time that some of them have ever been seen by the public. I'm glad you are able to see the highlights at least.
It seems I can only intermittently comment on your blog. I will say first, in case I can't write on the newer post, that I hope you are feeling better and the stomach upset has passed.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know how I am feeling. Now that it has sunk in a bit I am getting to grips with it but I am quite teary too ... perhaps less about the death itself than being moved by all the many stories I hear about what the Queen did for individuals and how she helped them personally as well as being en exemplary national ambassador. I also keep tearing up when I hear of the tributes being paid in countries where she was not head of state, especially those whose history with Britain has not always been good.
Like you I am fascinated by all the rites and rituals which have arisen from all this. It's been very full-on for Charles in so many ways - can only credit his energy. Early days so we will see what's what when the dust settles but I admit I have been a little disconcerted by a few things. I hope he doesn't try to change too much too soon.
I'm still finding it difficult to comment of some blogs if that's any consolation. It's a different blog every time though. I'm feeling a bit better today thanks. The tummy isn't so much of a problem but the lack of sleep is catching up with me!
DeleteIt is all the stories and tributes that keep making me tear up but I'm taking the line that it's a good way to let the grief out rather than bottling it up. I was thinking of going up to London before the 19th but have decided against it now, partly because of the numbers expected but also because I'm not sure my knee will cope with the standing around.
Charles still has to visit Wales doesn't he, I think that's on Friday. He has more energy that me. I too hope he addresses the changes slowly.
Yes he's going to Wales on Friday. I will tape it. I'm struggling to decide what to keep and what to delete but I'm running out of storage space! I thought yesterday's service at St Anne's Belfast was excellent.
DeleteI am still wavering about going into town. I'll keep watching the coverage and decide. Maybe if I went late-ish on Friday I'd be home by Saturday evening... but I suspect many others are thinking the same thing.
Yes it was, though I think all of the services have been excellent.
DeleteI've decided against going. I still not feeling 100% so can't go tomorrow, Friday I need to be at home, and I think it will be absolutely packed over the weekend and on Monday. Good luck if you do decide to go.