Who is overall in charge of the procession today?

[abovedecknotbelow]

You'd be shitting yourself wouldn't you? I'm no royalist but know that our forces can turn out at things like this (and glad to see so many women, particularly the one pulling the gun truck) but on whose head does it fall if it goes tits up?

☝️This

Don't be ridiculous.

That makes sense, thank you.

Oh grow up.

So I get these people are born into immense privilege and wealth and won't have to worry about the price of bread and cheese, or fuel bills ....but they've had to stand on ceremony, travel all over the country, give speeches,(in Charles case) meet dignitaries, literally within hours of their mother, or grandmother dying. All within the glare of national and international media and with thousands of randoms they don't know wanting to look, cheer, shout, clap, take pics, give them flowers/sandwiches, give hugs, kisses etc.

But yes it's appalling they lost the plot about a pen or wanted to hold hands with their spouse ...

(I know I lost the plot about some stupid shit, in the days after my parents died....thankfully in private)

It was to make sure the gun carriage would come to an absolute stop.

The horses might have studs in their shore, to prevent slipping.

@DomesticShortHair
I believe you are correct, the person in charge of the parade is WO (Class 1) Andrew "Vern" Stokes, Coldstream Guards. He's the Garrison Sergeant Major, London District & in charge of all high profile ceremonies.
Fun fact ref "Battle Stripes", when I did my Combat Infantryman's Course at Catterick in January 1996, my section commander was the Royal Welsh Fusilier from the series, Andrew Taylor - he's a legend!

Was he the good-looking man in the kilt immediately behind the royals in the procession - sort of centre? I clocked him then felt a bit disrespectful!

The bottom line is that the vast majority are empathetic to the grieving family.

The problem is that Charles is not the Queen. He's a MAN with a temper and is petulant, that is his personality. The running around all over the place was not necessary. Documents could have been signed in London I am sure. But I got the feeling that whilst grieving hard, the King felt it necessary to half kill himself to show how much he wanted to see his subjects on their own soil. Very good, but fruitless and should not have been advised for him so early in the grieving process. My opinion only. He became King the minute the Queen died so signing papers (to cement that fact) could have happened at any time, anywhere, at least that's what I think anyway.

I couldn't give two hoots about the other pair who live across the pond now. I think they had a lucky escape if you want my opinion. But maybe you don't and that's fine also.

☺️☺️ yes, he's the King's Equerry, been around these last few days - full Scots regalia with spats...braw

What always amazes me, at any Royal ceremony, is how the processions make turns/going round corners look so fluid - not sure that makes sense, but I know that I mean!

The metronome of the drum and the tolling of the bells on the minute really made me tear up.

Was amazing seeing them all making their way through the arches at Horse Guards. The whole procession really, everything in perfect time.

Total respect for all the riders too - not easy to keep a horse at such a slow pace.

The Royal family must all be absolutely exhausted.

Ha ha, thanks, @Maireas .

Thought the procession was unexpectedly moving today. The muffled drum and music and the beautiful psalm 139 when they got into the Abbey.

Thank you to those who recommended the Jubilee documentary on the crowns etc (The Crown Jewels). We watched it on iPlayer this evening - fascinating.

Photos of the practice for Monday!
I think it's going to be amazing!

The Navy Ratings are going to be pulling the Gun Carriage with the coffin on it, not horses!

Yes, that's a tradition for a monarch's funeral, and I'm not surprised they decided to uphold it.

I haven't seen any announcements about riderless horse (or the less common, but not unheard of, participation by dogs). I suspect those won't happen, as the Queen had not done duties on horseback since Burma retired

Major Johnny is the King’s Equerry. And he’s married.

From memory it’s cobble stones which are not ideal for the horses so the sand provides a better surface.

I would love to see a pack of corgis following the coffin (but I suspect any dog involvement would be police dogs if it happened!).

I can see the riderless horse happening though as she was a big horse fan.