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Original poster

Anyone else who can’t go to see the Queen lying in state wish they could?

110 replies

asblindasabat · 14/09/2022 20:33

I’m in NI and the flights + a hotel would be far too expensive so I can’t unfortunately.

would have been nice to have gone and paid my respects though.

OP posts:
QueenOfHiraeth · 14/09/2022 22:21

I thought about going, just to be part of the history, but the friends I normally stay with near London are away so I have no-one to go with and it is DD2s birthday on Saturday so just too difficult

Starryskiesinthesky · 14/09/2022 22:22

I went in Edinburgh and was really lucky as I didnt even have to wait long - probably about 15 minutes. I found it a strange experience - glad to have done it so that I didnt feel like I missed out but otherwise it was not that significant. I preferred when we saw the hearse travelling in to Edinburgh. So, although you might feel like you are missing out I would say you really aren't!

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 14/09/2022 22:22

BeaLola · 14/09/2022 21:10

I would like to have paid my respects but am working daytime and I'm not sure if I went in the evening I would get in with say a 3-4 hour wait !

It's a shame the royal train wasn't used from Scotland to London as I think that would have given more people from all over country to pay their respects ?

@BeaLola

Yes, but it was determined too risky. Too much opportunity for people to throw things or themselves on the track , shame though.

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The royal family
Toomanycornflakes · 14/09/2022 22:23

I think you are all a bit weird!!

SallyWD · 14/09/2022 22:28

asblindasabat · 14/09/2022 22:05

I don’t think I could stand in endless queues for hours on end but it is because she was our monarch for 70 years so this is a big event and many people admired her.

Show quote history

I completely understood the affection and respect people have for the Queen. I completely understand people wanting to pay their respects. I just don't understand the willing to queue for up to 30 hours to walk past a coffin. How is it respectful? What do people get out of it?

Hoolihan · 14/09/2022 22:30

Is it basically a massively widespread case of FOMO??

BMW6 · 14/09/2022 22:30

Toomanycornflakes · 14/09/2022 22:23

I think you are all a bit weird!!

Perhaps it's just you being a bit of a cunt.

ThisGirlCantAlways · 14/09/2022 22:33

DH started queueing at 5.15pm and we think quite close now, so around 5-6hrs

LegArmpits · 14/09/2022 22:36

No

Justkidding55 · 14/09/2022 22:37

I’m trying to work out if I can go.. I live just outside London but I have kids in school and I’m working Friday and Saturday so I’d have to go tommorow somehow and take my kids who will moan.. really not sure 🤔 I am wondering if going into London Sunday and being there around the funeral will be better?

TenoringBehind · 14/09/2022 22:37

I would like to but train fares from here are prohibitive (and my queue tolerance is about 1 hour max).

junkdrawer · 14/09/2022 22:37

I'd have loved to have gone when she was in Edinburgh as I'm not far. However, I have a baby and toddler who probably wouldn't have appreciated it.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 14/09/2022 22:41

Hoolihan · 14/09/2022 22:18

I admired her too (to a point!) but she's not here anymore! How is a few seconds looking at her coffin in any way meaningful or 'paying respects'? I mean obviously each to their own but I'm baffled by it.

Show quote history

@Hoolihan for me, it's about wanting to make the effort, to be counted, to add to the number of people they can say went to pay their respects, mainly for her family. To be a part of the collective that say she was admired/loved/respected (whatever term you want to use) she meant something to so many of us.

Im 53, I don't really want to explain why, not today, but her Silver Jubilee was A BIG part of my early years & other events have been a part of my life.

she has been a 'constant' when all else around me changed. I was taken away from the U.K. The Queen & all the traditions/ceremony etc remained 'home' and have been important all my life.

I know she was 96, I know it was inevitable, but I'm still finding it very difficult.

it's also about having lost a parent, and grandparents, feeling for them going through the pain. They live different lives, but they've just lost a huge constant & much lived mum, grandmother & great grandmother.

I don't expect people to understand.

but I want to go and say 'thank you' & 'good bye'.

I'm gutted that I can't shuffle along for hours on end😭

'paying respects' elsewhere just isn't the same, for me.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 14/09/2022 22:44

Starryskiesinthesky · 14/09/2022 22:22

I went in Edinburgh and was really lucky as I didnt even have to wait long - probably about 15 minutes. I found it a strange experience - glad to have done it so that I didnt feel like I missed out but otherwise it was not that significant. I preferred when we saw the hearse travelling in to Edinburgh. So, although you might feel like you are missing out I would say you really aren't!

@Starryskiesinthesky I would have loved to have been in Edinburgh. I'd definitely have gone. I love Edi anyway,

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 14/09/2022 22:46

Toomanycornflakes · 14/09/2022 22:23

I think you are all a bit weird!!

💁🏻‍♀️I think you are a bit rude.

userxx · 14/09/2022 22:46

@BMW6 Spot on.

Justkidding55 · 14/09/2022 22:47

Just live streaming it now and there’s a man carrying a baby of about 5 months in his arms.. it is a bit bonkers but it’s what I love about the brits I suppose

Bringonthebloodydrama · 14/09/2022 22:48

God no.

IhMrsPr · 14/09/2022 22:49

There are other ways to show your respects OP. Write what she meant to you in a book of condolence, or say a prayer as she was deeply Christian.

JennetHumfrye · 14/09/2022 22:52

I would love to be there but between my job, son and just life in general, I don't have the time or money. I will be watching the funeral on Monday and have been quietly contemplating the Queen's passing all week.

ShaunaTheSheep · 14/09/2022 22:55

I think my mum would like to go. She filed past King George VI's coffin in 1952. King Charles III is the fifth monarch in her lifetime.

We could make it happen via the accessible queue...but she says she ok watching on tv...

Hawkins001 · 14/09/2022 22:57

Flights or road transport covered, no ques, and minimal waiting, then yes I would

Womencanlift · 14/09/2022 23:00

Seen tweets that say it’s moving at a rate of 0.8 miles an hour and this would mean from London Bridge it’s about a 5 hour wait

ChipsRoastOrBoiled · 14/09/2022 23:01

I'd love to have paid my respects in person. I wanted to go to St Giles in Edinburgh but she was there for such a short time and we just couldn't make it there.
The television coverage is very good but I do feel sad I couldn't go.

Harriet0101 · 14/09/2022 23:08

Yes I would have loved to have gone. But I'm pregnant so don't want to risk a long journey on the train, queuing for hours, no toilets etc!
I'm quite gutted actually because I won't get another opportunity, it won't be the same when Charles passes and I'll be too told old or dead when William dies!