AIBU to think the RHS didn't need to close immediately and boot everyone out as a mark of respect?

[SurreyMumOfOne]

As a mark of respect to Prince Philip, the RHS have decided to close all of their gardens immediately today. Any people already inside have been herded out. Tickets are incredibly difficult to get hold of because they are so limited at the moment. There are reports on social media of families using it as a place to meet (as permitted) who haven't seen each other for a year now having to leave; no covid safe measures at the exit; traffic tailbacks as people arriving are being turned immediately away. Lots of upset and confusion.

They have also said they will close on the day of the funeral and I have no issue with this.

AIBU to think this is an ill thought through and unnecessary move? Surely there are better ways to show respect? What about respect for the visitors?

People will remember where they were when they found out he died as the day the Royal Horticultural Gardens threw us out when we hadn't seen family for months.

Maybe all the staff were upset I guess. He was their boss I suppose?

I think it is sad that Prince Philip has died and feel especially sorry for our Queen but he was 99 and apart from a difficult childhood had a good life overall.

RHS are OTT and it was totally unnecessary to close today.

So odd and ridiculous. What numpty made that call?

I’m sure HRH would have wanted part of his legacy to be lots of pissed off RHS punters and traffic chaos on the A3.

as we are not in National Mourning.

We are. Operation Forth Bridge. Hence the news anchors all changing to wear black, the grey BBC information box, the constant news coverage.

I still think it’s a strange decision.

How bizarre! And rude. They are BU. If they hadn't been closed for a year i'd have said that they were taking the opportunity for a cheeky day off but you'd think they would have had enough of that already.

Seems totally ridiculous. Especially as a garden that he knew well is the ideal place for reflection and remembrance if that is the mood that takes one, rather than hours stuck in a traffic jam.

Yanbu op. OTT reaction

After a year of restrictions, I don’t think this was a good move. So many disappointed people - I felt really sorry for the staff having to explain this to everyone. It had the opposite effect - I think they could have done something really nice to honour Prince Philip without causing so much bad feeling.

I live local to Wisley and am an RHS member, it's all over local social media pages and I have subsequently received an email. It's definitely true.

I've tried to get tickets frequently and it's nigh on impossible, so it's not just about the money/possibility of a refund.

DH is a civil servant and they haven't been told to down tools for the afternoon!

Utterly absurd.

I completely agree, what a ridiculous thing to do

@SnarkyBag

The complete opposite of honouring his memory really!

This

@TempsPerdu

(Should’ve known better than to argue with a bunch of arch-royalists really )

You weren't. You're misrepresenting the situation on the other thread.

I do think this is an odd decision of the RHS. I would hope that refunds will be provided.

DH is a civil servant and they haven't been told to down tools for the afternoon!

They get the day off when the monarch dies. That’s it.

Just ridiculous, as is the continuous coverage on the radio!

I agree OP. That is completely ridiculous. He was an old man who died. I'm sorry for his family but I literally don't care.

He is no more important than anyone else who has died this year.

It's cobblers

After a year of restrictions, I don’t think this was a good move. So many disappointed people - I felt really sorry for the staff having to explain this to everyone.

I agree, my first thought was for the staff. I doubt any of them wanted to close early, and having to explain what was happening to understandably annoyed customers when they had no say in the decision was pretty shitty of RHS.

TempsPerdu
(Should’ve known better than to argue with a bunch of arch-royalists really smile)

You weren't. You're misrepresenting the situation on the other thread.

I do think this is an odd decision of the RHS. I would hope that refunds will be provided.

This @NoWordForFluffy - on both counts.

@TempsPerdu can you please stop calling everyone royalist? I thought at first you were having a bad day but you made an absolutely spectacular merail on that thread.

Several of us did point out we were republicans but objected to your prolonged tantrum on other grounds.

@Same4Walls

That's utterly bonkers and I'd be demanding a refund.

Prince Philip would also probably be furious that people were being prevented from accessing the gardens.

I'm also utterly confused as to how it is possibly a mark of respect. Close on the day of the funeral absolutely fine but to shut today, surely it's just virtue signalling.

Agree!! 100%

Utterly ridiculous for the gardens to close.

Even more ridiculous: my local face book news page has announced that due to the 'sad news' of Prince Philip's death they won't be posting any announcements for the foreseeable future.

When my DS was a cub/ scout and went to WINGS (1 week camp every 4 years) in Windsor Great Park they were told that if a Royal died then they would all have to leave that day! Even the troops from abroad (quite a lot of troops came from other countries)