Will you go to London for the funeral or coronation?

[Adventing]

Or have you already been to Buckingham Palace?

It's been interesting to see friends' reactions to the Queen's death and how many have been to London already or who are planning to come particularly for a coronation. I live and work in London and will try to visit Green Park one day this week to see the flowers left for the Queen. Also interesting to hear how people waited for up to 24 hours to see the Queen mother lying in state 😮not sure how they'll manage that this time around

Nope. If I lived in London, I might pop down for a nosey but I don't, and have no interest in travelling there when I can watch from the comfort of my sofa!

I'm currently planning on trying to get there for the day before the funeral or day of but can't quite decide on the logistics! I wondered whether it might be an idea to go to Windsor for her arrival following the funeral, assuming that would potentially be Monday afternoon?

I would like to get to London at some point next weekend to lay flowers or pay respects in some way. Just not sure on the crowd + small children unfortunately!

No. If I lived in London or was in Central London for another reason then I might consider wondering over to Buckingham Palace or, like you, having a look at the flowers just because it's all part of an important moment in history. But I won't be making a special trip for it. It is a lot of effort and money (that I cannot afford) for someone that I have never met.

I liked the Queen. I had a lot of respect for her and I appreciate the years of service that she dedicated to our nation. But I didn't actually know her so I feel no need to pay my respects.

Absolutely not.

I don't get the collective grief shit.

I will be in london next weekend for a prearranged appointment so have decided that I will take some time to bear witness to the historical events taking place.

I won’t be. Figure I will see more on tv than going so what’s the point other than to say you were there? Stuck in a crowd, catching a glimpse….that’s it.

If I didn't live or work in London then I probably wouldn't be making plans. But given that I'm fairly close to central London most days it makes sense to try to experience this moment in history first-hand on some level.

I'm sure for the coronation itself whenever that happens there will be lots of local celebrations all over the country although lots of people will still come to London

We live in Windsor so I'm sure will get a lot of action!!

If I had had enough time I wouldn't be in the country, never mind London, for the funeral. Fortunately we will get more notice for the coronation.

No. We are in London next week but I will be avoiding the whole thing

My office is a short walk from the Palace. I know it will be madness all week long with visitors but I will probably take a walk past at some point (likewise, I always aim to visit the cenotaph in the days following Remembrance Sunday for a moment of quiet and personal reflection) but will actively be avoiding it on funeral and coronation days.

No. Going to theatre Sunday and have rearranged stations and restaurants to avoid being anywhere near it.

No. The crowds and the amount of standing will be horrendous and you won't see much. TV with a drink in my hand.

But will be going up on Monday to see the flowers.

I live in London and like to do 'themed' walks around big events, e.g. for the Jubilee my friend and I went to The Mall and BP in the days running up to the event. The barriers were going up, grandstands being built and a few people setting up tents! You got a taste of the atmosphere and occasion - then watch on TV from the comfort of your own home.

Similar for William's wedding, but after the event, involved a walk past The Goring Hotel and a quick chat to the doorman!

Also around the big Brexit debates, many a walk to College Green to see the drama unfolding and enjoy the sights and sounds of Steve Bray!

I work in Whitehall. I'd really like to go and pay my respects at the lying in state, but realistically I have small children so I'm not sure I can manage it - not exactly like I can pop by during my lunch break I imagine.

I'm not interested in the coronation. I may watch the funeral on television. I'm not a royalist and I'm not usually someone who joins in with collective emotions etc, but I am CofE and I think it's largely through that 'connection' that I feel a particular pull to observe.

@RedWhiteBlue2022, you are a genius!

Nope - but then I'm not a grief tourist who feels like I need to post stuff like this on Facebook...

I live in london and always avoid central for busy events.

No, I live in SE London and work in the City. No way I make my way anywhere near Westminster.

Nope. It has the potential to be Covid central.

It worked for Lenin!

Don't bits keep dropping off Lenin? or is that Stalin? Genius idea, though.

I live in central London and would like to go but I have surgery the day after the funeral and have been told I must avoid crowds etc pre-operation because of the Covid risk. Unfortunately I can't take the risk as I'm very ill and need the surgery asap.

Thinking about it. I'm just outside London and I feel like I'd regret it if I didn't.