[News] Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Passes Away - 08/09/2022

[Weststander]

Clamp & I have had our differences but he can consider a reasoned argument and he is one of the Good Guys on this Site IMO...

Always respect from me for [MENTION=33848]The Clamp[/MENTION] due to the job he does and you can have a polite political debate with him (not a childish sulker because you disagree ).

 

[jakarta]

Do I need to buy a new hat?

You will have to take it off during the service. BTW Mrs Jakarta may be a bit upset...

Glad to see we can have such a typical NSC ending to the day...

 

[hart's shirt]

John Crace, the Guardian's parliamentary sketch writer, has posted his view of today.

It's amusing, incisive, poignant and respectful in equal measures.

And there's something in it for both monarchists and republicans alike.

As it's not behind a paywall, I'll run the risk of posting it in its entirety for now. (Mods - feel free to edit if appropriate.)

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/19/queens-farewell-makes-uk-proud-again-just-for-one-day-john-crace


Queen’s farewell makes Britain proud again, just for one day

We can be Heroes, Just for One Day. In death, Queen Elizabeth first gave us The Queue. A chance for the UK to show its gentler, more united self. That we could be quite nice to one another if we put our minds to it.

Then, at her funeral, her second gift was to – temporarily at least – give the country back a sense of its importance. Thoughts that we were a nation in decline, with a large number of its population unsure if they could afford to eat and heat in the coming months, were put on hold. We had a history worth celebrating. We and the country did matter.

Leaders from around the world were gathering at Westminster Abbey to pay their respects to our late queen in an unrivalled ceremony of pomp and pageantry. We could tell ourselves that no one else could have given their head of state a better send off. We were the centre of attention. We were a superpower. We could be proud. Delusional, maybe. But proud. Just for one day.

The guests started to arrive at the abbey shortly after 8am. One of the first was a top-hatted Jacob Rees-Mogg. Then came selected members of the public, non-reigning monarchs – take a bow the Prince of Venice and the Margrave of Baden – and other politicians.

Next were the minor heads of state, many of whom were bussed in. Several tried to show their orange invites at the door. They were just waved through. No one was expecting any gatecrashers for this event. The only uninvited guest turned out to be the spider that had got into the flowers on the Queen’s coffin. We never did get to see who was put next to the North Koreans. Or if there was an unofficial Naughty Step for dodgy regimes. The seating plan must have been a logistical nightmare.

Joe Biden arrived in his own car and had to wait at the west door to allow the procession of holders of the Victoria and George Cross to take their seats ahead of him. Then came the former prime ministers. First John Major, by all accounts the Queen’s favourite, and ending with Boris Johnson, by all accounts the most loathed. Her last service to the country while she was alive was to see the back of him. Johnson was seated next to the Mays. But unlike at Westminster Hall several days earlier, this time Theresa could put her husband, Philip, between her and Boris. Philip didn’t seem especially pleased to have drawn the short straw.

The minor royals took their places – James Severn, the son of Prince Edward, is only 14 but has still managed to accrue a couple of medals – along with the Princess of Wales and her two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The succession subtext was inescapable. All is well with the House of Windsor.

Meanwhile, over at Westminster Hall, the Queen’s four children along with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex were getting ready to walk behind the coffin as it was pulled on a gun carriage by more that 140 sailors. Andrew and Harry were once again wearing morning suits rather than military uniform. It seemed harsh on Harry to be given the same punishment as Andrew but the royal family can be ruthless when they want to be.

Outside the abbey, there were a few cheers but mostly a sense of quiet. Even the planes had been diverted. The one interruption, on the BBC at least, was the sound of Huw Edwards telling everyone what they could already see and promising that there would be no commentary during the service itself. A blessed relief. The past 10 days of having to talk solemn banalities for 14 hours a day have driven Edwards understandably a bit mad. It’s almost as if he now considers himself to be an integral part of the royal household. Someone without whom it can no longer function.

The whole occasion was at the same time quintessentially British in its ceremony and also profoundly un-British. Normally, we try to tuck death away into somewhere where it can’t be seen. Or felt. Somewhere we can pretend it isn’t the price we pay for living. Yet here we had death take centre stage. The Queen’s coffin in the centre of the abbey. It felt somehow healing.

After opening prayers and hymns, Lady Scotland read the first lesson, taken from Corinthians. She spoke superbly, so much so that even those of no faith could half believe that faith might triumph over death. That there was an afterlife. Liz Truss predictably murdered the second lesson from St John. Speaking aloud is not her strong point and she has yet to realise that punctuation is there to help you make sense of the text. Still her deathly monotone wasn’t entirely out of place at a funeral and the Queen would have been pleased it was anyone but Boris reading it.

The archbishop of Canterbury also had a few comments to make on world leaders in general and Johnson in particular during his sermon that was unashamedly political. Only those, like the Queen, who served a higher power first and foremost would be remembered. Those whose only God was their own fragile ego would be forgotten.

There were more surprises near the end of the service with the Queen’s choice of Charles Wesley’s Love Divine. This hymn is a Methodist anthem. The anti-establishment religion given voice at the most establishment of occasions. Perhaps the Queen was a more complex and conflicted woman with regards to her faith than many had thought. Perhaps there was an egalitarian side to her that got lost among the privilege.

The King looked thoughtful as the congregation gave a spine-tingling rendition of the national anthem. Well he might. He’s not just grieving his mother, he’s got to follow her example. Who knows if the country will ever come to love him as much as they loved the Queen? Or indeed if he can hold the monarchy together. William and Harry often seem more interested in their personal feuds. Without the Queen the whole thing might fall apart.

After the service, military bands played a medley of funeral marches as the cortege processed up to Marble Arch. The Heralds and the Pursuivants, looking like extras from a Disney theme park, tried to march in time while not stepping in the horse poo, while the senior royals took their places behind the gun carriage. Their London farewell was to oversee the transfer of the Queen to the hearse. Some flowers were thrown, but this was no Princess Di moment. A time for grandeur and dignity rather than touchy-feely emotions.

The final public act took place in St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Despite a congregation of 800, it felt intimate. Almost as if we were intruding on something private. Something historic as the mace, orb and crown were removed from the coffin. Something majestic as the lord chamberlain broke the wand of office and laid it on the coffin. Something unbearable as the King stood in front of the coffin while it descended into the vault. The last we would see of the queen.

Charles looked so lonely. Lost even. As if he’d waited 73 years for this moment and now didn’t know if he really wanted it. The bagpipe lament spoke for him. As it did for all of us. Rest in peace.

 

[pasty]

Time to turn in. If I'm honest I didn't expect to be quite as emotionally exhausted as I am today. A remarkable day.

May you rest in peace Your Majesty.


https://youtu.be/Ik0VaT5iXPY

 

[Wrong-Direction]

John Crace, the Guardian's parliamentary sketch writer, has posted his view of today.

It's amusing, incisive, poignant and respectful in equal measures.

And there's something in it for both monarchists and republicans alike.

As it's not behind a paywall, I'll run the risk of posting it in its entirety for now. (Mods - feel free to edit if appropriate.)

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/19/queens-farewell-makes-uk-proud-again-just-for-one-day-john-crace


Queen’s farewell makes Britain proud again, just for one day

We can be Heroes, Just for One Day. In death, Queen Elizabeth first gave us The Queue. A chance for the UK to show its gentler, more united self. That we could be quite nice to one another if we put our minds to it.

Then, at her funeral, her second gift was to – temporarily at least – give the country back a sense of its importance. Thoughts that we were a nation in decline, with a large number of its population unsure if they could afford to eat and heat in the coming months, were put on hold. We had a history worth celebrating. We and the country did matter.

Leaders from around the world were gathering at Westminster Abbey to pay their respects to our late queen in an unrivalled ceremony of pomp and pageantry. We could tell ourselves that no one else could have given their head of state a better send off. We were the centre of attention. We were a superpower. We could be proud. Delusional, maybe. But proud. Just for one day.

The guests started to arrive at the abbey shortly after 8am. One of the first was a top-hatted Jacob Rees-Mogg. Then came selected members of the public, non-reigning monarchs – take a bow the Prince of Venice and the Margrave of Baden – and other politicians.

Next were the minor heads of state, many of whom were bussed in. Several tried to show their orange invites at the door. They were just waved through. No one was expecting any gatecrashers for this event. The only uninvited guest turned out to be the spider that had got into the flowers on the Queen’s coffin. We never did get to see who was put next to the North Koreans. Or if there was an unofficial Naughty Step for dodgy regimes. The seating plan must have been a logistical nightmare.

Joe Biden arrived in his own car and had to wait at the west door to allow the procession of holders of the Victoria and George Cross to take their seats ahead of him. Then came the former prime ministers. First John Major, by all accounts the Queen’s favourite, and ending with Boris Johnson, by all accounts the most loathed. Her last service to the country while she was alive was to see the back of him. Johnson was seated next to the Mays. But unlike at Westminster Hall several days earlier, this time Theresa could put her husband, Philip, between her and Boris. Philip didn’t seem especially pleased to have drawn the short straw.

The minor royals took their places – James Severn, the son of Prince Edward, is only 14 but has still managed to accrue a couple of medals – along with the Princess of Wales and her two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The succession subtext was inescapable. All is well with the House of Windsor.

Meanwhile, over at Westminster Hall, the Queen’s four children along with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex were getting ready to walk behind the coffin as it was pulled on a gun carriage by more that 140 sailors. Andrew and Harry were once again wearing morning suits rather than military uniform. It seemed harsh on Harry to be given the same punishment as Andrew but the royal family can be ruthless when they want to be.

Outside the abbey, there were a few cheers but mostly a sense of quiet. Even the planes had been diverted. The one interruption, on the BBC at least, was the sound of Huw Edwards telling everyone what they could already see and promising that there would be no commentary during the service itself. A blessed relief. The past 10 days of having to talk solemn banalities for 14 hours a day have driven Edwards understandably a bit mad. It’s almost as if he now considers himself to be an integral part of the royal household. Someone without whom it can no longer function.

The whole occasion was at the same time quintessentially British in its ceremony and also profoundly un-British. Normally, we try to tuck death away into somewhere where it can’t be seen. Or felt. Somewhere we can pretend it isn’t the price we pay for living. Yet here we had death take centre stage. The Queen’s coffin in the centre of the abbey. It felt somehow healing.

After opening prayers and hymns, Lady Scotland read the first lesson, taken from Corinthians. She spoke superbly, so much so that even those of no faith could half believe that faith might triumph over death. That there was an afterlife. Liz Truss predictably murdered the second lesson from St John. Speaking aloud is not her strong point and she has yet to realise that punctuation is there to help you make sense of the text. Still her deathly monotone wasn’t entirely out of place at a funeral and the Queen would have been pleased it was anyone but Boris reading it.

The archbishop of Canterbury also had a few comments to make on world leaders in general and Johnson in particular during his sermon that was unashamedly political. Only those, like the Queen, who served a higher power first and foremost would be remembered. Those whose only God was their own fragile ego would be forgotten.

There were more surprises near the end of the service with the Queen’s choice of Charles Wesley’s Love Divine. This hymn is a Methodist anthem. The anti-establishment religion given voice at the most establishment of occasions. Perhaps the Queen was a more complex and conflicted woman with regards to her faith than many had thought. Perhaps there was an egalitarian side to her that got lost among the privilege.

The King looked thoughtful as the congregation gave a spine-tingling rendition of the national anthem. Well he might. He’s not just grieving his mother, he’s got to follow her example. Who knows if the country will ever come to love him as much as they loved the Queen? Or indeed if he can hold the monarchy together. William and Harry often seem more interested in their personal feuds. Without the Queen the whole thing might fall apart.

After the service, military bands played a medley of funeral marches as the cortege processed up to Marble Arch. The Heralds and the Pursuivants, looking like extras from a Disney theme park, tried to march in time while not stepping in the horse poo, while the senior royals took their places behind the gun carriage. Their London farewell was to oversee the transfer of the Queen to the hearse. Some flowers were thrown, but this was no Princess Di moment. A time for grandeur and dignity rather than touchy-feely emotions.

The final public act took place in St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Despite a congregation of 800, it felt intimate. Almost as if we were intruding on something private. Something historic as the mace, orb and crown were removed from the coffin. Something majestic as the lord chamberlain broke the wand of office and laid it on the coffin. Something unbearable as the King stood in front of the coffin while it descended into the vault. The last we would see of the queen.

Charles looked so lonely. Lost even. As if he’d waited 73 years for this moment and now didn’t know if he really wanted it. The bagpipe lament spoke for him. As it did for all of us. Rest in peace.

Great summary

Sent from my SM-A326B using Tapatalk

 

[Boroseagull]

Quite a few posters have mentioned watching it on BBC however we chose to view on ITV mainly as not being able to bear Huw Edwards. I have to say they made a marvellous job of it, virtually no commentating just leaving the occasion to speak for itself - and ITV without any adverts all day! Well done to them.

 

[drew]

Quite a few posters have mentioned watching it on BBC however we chose to view on ITV mainly as not being able to bear Huw Edwards. I have to say they made a marvellous job of it, virtually no commentating just leaving the occasion to speak for itself - and ITV without any adverts all day! Well done to them.

BBC did the same, during the procession from Westminster Hall to the Abbey, no commentary.

 

[Bodian]

Quite a few posters have mentioned watching it on BBC however we chose to view on ITV mainly as not being able to bear Huw Edwards. I have to say they made a marvellous job of it, virtually no commentating just leaving the occasion to speak for itself - and ITV without any adverts all day! Well done to them.

Did they share camera crews do you think? One thing I was impressed with was the way that you hardly ever saw cameras or pressfolk in the shots at all.

 

[Weststander]

Quite a few posters have mentioned watching it on BBC however we chose to view on ITV mainly as not being able to bear Huw Edwards. I have to say they made a marvellous job of it, virtually no commentating just leaving the occasion to speak for itself - and ITV without any adverts all day! Well done to them.

Ditto, but because:

Bradby & Etchingham were/are brilliant broadcasters.

ITV tended to just get on with real world outside film including meeting public on the streets. I love that.

Whereas the BBC were over analysing in their special studio with historians and royal experts, missing outside footage.

I’m not usually into ITV but they got the last 12 days spot on.

 

[Boroseagull]

Did they share camera crews do you think? One thing I was impressed with was the way that you hardly ever saw cameras or pressfolk in the shots at all.

I suspect they did when noticing the camouflaged camera positions. However the way the producer/s cut and use the shots can make all the difference.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Did they share camera crews do you think? One thing I was impressed with was the way that you hardly ever saw cameras or pressfolk in the shots at all.

The bbc were responsible for filming the services and processions …article below explains a few things

(Mods please delete if I’ve overstepped)

When it comes to commentary on solemn state occasions, less is more. The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was at its most poignant, and its most beautiful, when the broadcasters said nothing at all.

Rather than the presenters in front of the camera, it was the BBC’s behind-the-scenes team that deserved the credit. The corporation was responsible for filming the services and the processions using 213 cameras in Westminster Abbey, Windsor and various points along the route, then sharing the images with ITV, Sky News and the rest of the world. It was brilliantly done. The most striking shots were taken from high above, looking down on the coffin from the ceilings of the Abbey and St George’s Chapel.

Huw Edwards, anchoring the BBC’s coverage for the first part of the day, had clearly been sent a memo advising him to keep aimless burbling to a minimum. “These processions are very solemn events and we really don’t think it’s appropriate to talk over them,” he told viewers. “When we cover these processions live on BBC One, we are doing so with minimal commentary because we feel that is the most respectful way of covering a state funeral. So that’s the plan and I hope that message is one that you are receiving positively.” Very positively, Huw. For once, there was no need to head immediately to the commentary-free version available via the red button.

For events inside the Abbey, Fergal Keane provided commentary. A surprising choice but not an unwelcome one, because he has a soothing tone of voice. Perhaps he was selected because he is best known as a foreign correspondent, and someone thought he would be able to identify the world leaders coming through the door. Actually, he named very few of them – perhaps David Dimbleby would have been better informed. But he did provide some poetic turns of phrase – the Victoria Cross holders making up “a procession of the brave” – and some actual poetry, quoting Wordsworth.

Over on ITV, Julie Etchingham and Tom Bradby were sitting outside Windsor in oddly-shaped chairs, with royal editor Chris Ship stationed outside Buckingham Palace (the BBC’s royal correspondent, Nicholas Witchell, was notable by his absence, which was for the best given his tactless remarks about the late Queen’s ill health in the hours before her death). ITV also kept waffling to a minimum once the funeral got under way, but its production values were simply not as good as the BBC’s: as the procession reached the outskirts of Windsor, ITV failed to muffle the intrusive sound of the helicopter hovering overhead.

The BBC’s coverage ended with one of those expertly constructed montages, set to music, and a closing monologue by a tearful Young: “She made history, she was history. Queen Elizabeth II has gone, but she will surely never be forgotten.”. Its broadcast from Windsor also featured David Dimbleby, providing commentary on the service. His voice was a little weaker than in years gone by – he is now 83 – but still full of gravitas. He was a reassuring presence on a day when continuity seemed important

 

[The Clamp]

I noticed on the BBC iPlayer (which I watched it on) there was an option to silence the commentary and just watch proceedings. I chose to have commentary because it explained a lot of orders of ceremony that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. But a nice touch I thought.

Edit; I see LR mentioned that above.

 

[clapham_gull]

It would perfect sense for a single organisation to be utterly responsible for the filming and pool the footage.

However on such a large event a myriad of private companies and individuals would have been used. The pictures themselves weren't brought to your home by any "broadcaster", that was all sold off years ago.

 

[jcdenton08]

I thought the BBC did a magnificent job, as they always do with huge events. I thought the coverage with tasteful, visually beautiful and as the above article points out - appropriately waffle-free. It let people mourn at home with their families, without unnecessary commentary or the even slight chance of mis-speaking.

 

[jcdenton08]

Ha! It’s in there somewhere

Some of us indeed noticed and appreciated it.

 

[OzMike]

I had to go to bed at 11pm our time, couldn't stay awake.

 

[clapham_gull]

I thought the BBC did a magnificent job, as they always do with huge events. I thought the coverage with tasteful, visually beautiful and as the above article points out - appropriately waffle-free. It let people mourn at home with their families, without unnecessary commentary or the even slight chance of mis-speaking.

I'd imagine they took note of the complaints a few years ago about the Diamond Jubilee.

 

[jcdenton08]

What an exhausting day just watching at home on television, goodness knows how the King and his family feel, not to mention the thousands of soldiers, volunteers, drivers, policemen and myriad others.

It was a beautiful ceremony, I shed many a tear, not just as the beauty and pageantry of the ceremonials, but for the life and service of the late Queen.

Posted shortly Her Majesty passed, but here’s a repost anyway:

 

[Weststander]

What an exhausting day just watching at home on television, goodness knows how the King and his family feel, not to mention the thousands of soldiers, volunteers, drivers, policemen and myriad others.

It was a beautiful ceremony, I shed many a tear, not just as the beauty and pageantry of the ceremonials, but for the life and service of the late Queen.

Posted shortly Her Majesty passed, but here’s a repost anyway:

View attachment 151984

I’ve seen that before, it is an amazing image.

Great pictorial doc (with no words) on ITV right now, a timeline of her life.

 

[dazzer6666]