Update

[lexin]

Well, despite being a lifelong republican (note small R), I watched Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral today. All day.

Wow, that was a long time to be watching TV.

The people I felt most for were the ten guys with the job of carrying and otherwise caring for the coffin, which I strongly suspect to be lead lined. At least, given the expressions on their faces when they had to lift the thing. And it was the same ten guys every time.

I was most surprised by the fact that St George’s Chapel at Windsor had a secret trap door in the floor, like one in a theatre, and the catafalque with the coffin on it just sank through the floor. I wasn’t expecting that.

Nicest thing – they played my favourite hymn, “The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended,” which we had played at my late father’s funeral. Even an atheist is entitled to a favourite hymn, and I love the imagery in that one.

Comments

[emrinalexander]

I watched it streaming on the BBC. I meant to just watch a few minutes at 5 a.m. my time while waiting for my coffee to brew and ended up sucked into staying for the entire thing. Black is my favorite color - I liked Kate's McQueen coat dress.

The trap door is kind of cool - the lift lowers the coffin down to the royal vault. (It startled me watching Phillip's funeral - i was not expecting him to just disappear).

[lexin]

I'm surprised that someone who isn't British could find the whole thing worth watching. Well done!

I didn't watch Philip's funeral, so I hadn't seen the trap door thing before.

[shezan]

I'm French! I watched! I commented!