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?

What we're the choir singing? So beautiful.

The regiments involved carry out a range of ceremonial work throughout the year. The rehearsal for a state funeral will normally focus on timing it all on the actual route so that all those involved know where they are going and at what time. It provides some familiarity not only for the regiments, but those that support also, such as drivers and security. We used to do a state visit rehearsal about once a year typically rising at 0230 hours to turnout by 0400 in central London. Regiments can do their rehearsals separately.

*were

OFGS they didnt, did they? 🙄

Yes, got to agree about the handholding.

I don't have any issue with H&M usually but...nope, that was inappropriate.

Anyway, I hope they all get a chance to put their feet up for a couple of days. It must have felt relentless, especially for Charles.

He is not a Royal.

Why do the Lords not bow but the Commons do?

Re the horses, I was given a place outside the Houses of Parliament to watch the great and the good arrive for the State Opening of Parliament, great position, by .st Stephens Green and directly opposite the entrance to the HOP. All going well until just as the Royal carriages started to arrive the horse troops clattered into place and plonked themselves directly in front of me. If anyone would like to see a five minute video of shiny horse bums just let me know……….and there was a naughty one who kept nipping at the others, I wonder if it was the same one who was nipping today.

I think everyone complaining about the handholding may need a different perspective.

When DP's DB was killed (not saying how as it's outing), the funeral was shown on the local news. I held his hand coming out of the church as he was worried about crying in public so wanted a distraction. How lovely to think showing him my support is viewed on here as inappropriate.

According to the commentary, they were the tallest!

I'd like to think that he, and Anne, can have a bit of down time in the next few days. I felt exhausted just watching them doing that long walk at such a slow speed.

I loved that even taking off their bearskins was done with military precision!

They really can go wrong, but most people do not notice and even if they do it is not always the bit they remember. Without wanting to 'out' myself, during a parade I took part in we had to perform a complete review of the Troop. Other regiments were involved. For the finale, we had about 70 horses and riders all in line ready to do a gallop past. Fine at trot, then canter. It is essential to keep the line straight and closed up. As we approached the grandstand about to transition into gallop, there was a surge from the right pushing down to the left and I was that rider on that horse closest to the crowd. The one everybody sees... A metal barrier provided a margin of only a metre and the surge pushed me into the barrier. The sound of metal as the stirrup clanged against it as we galloped past I shall never forget. My left boot was next, gaining a tear and either my knee or my horse's flank sent a barrier over. Right in front of the Queen and the rest! Believe me, this is what they want and it adds a bit of excitement if you are in the crowd. Totally unprepared though.

AclowncalledAlice
Much sympathy to you. The 2 situations are completely different, I am sure you can understand. The background and history is, I am assuming, so completely different, as are the funeral/ceremonial arrangements themselves.

They were in the hall and walked out with royal,party- both looked so unsteady on their feet - looking really old now

If Harry had been in uniform, the handholding with Meghan would have looked even more incongruous...

The music at the start in the hall was a setting of Psalm 139 by the director of music, somebody O' Donnell. The choir was Westminster Abbey and the Choir of the Chapels Royal. I'm not sure how to quote but saw the questions had been asked.
I agree with PPs; in such circumstances H&M' s handholding was ridiculous, juvenile and inappropriate. I couldn't believe it.

I am always suspicious of not very young married couples who ostentatiously feel the need to proclaim their love, methinks they proclaim too much.

I’m sorry for your DPs loss @AclowncalledAlice but I do think that was different. It was his brother not his grandmother. I still feel H&M shouldn’t have done it. Especially still in Westminster Hall. Whatever about outside which is what I think you did.

I know a couple who hold hands when one of them is with their own family. I think it's the non-family partner controlling supporting their partner through the stress of being around the close family people who might point out that the partner is a cock aren't seen to be swallowing the BS totally happy with the union.

Is the service in St George’s Chapel going to be televised or will it be private for family only?

Again re horses: I caught the end of the changing of the guard once last year and one horse had to leave early he was so badly behaved.

(I know he wasn't really badly behaved, probably spooked by something)

Then we'll have to agree to disagree and let the thread move on.

Well i saw the Vigil change at 4.05 so the commentary that said 6 hour stints was talking bollocks.
No way can anyone stand perfectly still like that for 6 hours!!

I agree. This must bring back memories for Harry of being made to walk behind his mother’s coffin at the age of 12 !!