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?

I’d be annoyed if I’d been thrown out, I have to say.

Generally speaking, I’m just glad this isn’t the Victorian era or pre war when mourning would have been obligatory and prolonged and generally snarled daily life up a bit.

I think so, it wasn't fair to those already in the gardens and actually, quite a pointless act. Fair enough to close on the day of the funeral but there would be notice of that. I wonder whose idea that was?

That's ridiculous.
I listen to Magic Soul on digital radio and all they've done is play deary music all afternoon.
How does playing Elton John and Adele signal respect? It's so bizarre, everyone still has to carry on as normal

Is he a Parton of the RHS? If so, this protocol will have been in place for years as a just in case. It's stupid given the situation and covid, but its likely they'd have discussed this recently. At my work we have a protocol in place for this happening too.

Jesus. They'll be asking us to arse about on our doorsteps doing that pissing clap again before we know it.

@stablefeet

Bloody ridiculous.

I daresay Philip would say the same.

Insanity.

Yanbu. That’s crazy.

I struggle to see how it shows respect.

It's inconveniencing ordinary people in an empty gesture of deference. What better way to celebrate what he stood for?

Utterly ridiculous. We have tickets to somewhere next week to see my parents for the first time since last August and I can just imagine how gutted some people will be.

Can't imagine the old guy liked bloody Adele too much either.

Eh? Sounds bonkers to me.

Seriously ridiculous. If I had taken a day off work and booked in to meet my mum and sister there, say, which we did previously as wisley is between where we all live but still over an hour each way for all of us, I would be gutted. And it books up way ahead so you cant just reschedule. Plus if you're a member then a refund is meaningless as you get in for free anyway.

He was 99, it's not a tragedy.

I think that is ridiculous. A flower garden is surely the one place you could take five minutes to reflect on whatever his passing means to you.

@donquixotedelamancha
It's inconveniencing ordinary people in an empty gesture of deference. What better way to celebrate what he stood for?

This is ridiculous as is the wall to wall coverage on BBC1, BBC2 and ITV

@TempsPerdu

Well I’ve just had my arse comprehensively handed to me over this on the ‘official’ Prince Philip thread so I’m a tad reluctant to get involved in another one, other than saying YANBU.

It may have been intended as a mark of respect to Philip but I agree that it shows very little respect for their paying members and guests, and was generally very ill thought through. Also counter-productive given how careful they’ve been previously with Covid measures etc - herding everyone towards the exit at once etc.

Fine with the closure for the funeral as there are was due notice given. Hope they plan to refund ticket holders though.

Yep definitely.

They could quite easily have done an announcement on a megaphone asking for 2-3 minutes silence (and whatever else e.g. closure at a later date to follow).

Seems very mean, little respect for paying members and guests and yes very badly thought out.

A silly overreaction as is the rolling coverage of absolutely nothing , by all these 'royal correspondents' on BOTH BBC1 and 2 !

That’s really annoying.

I’m pissed off that Radio 3 (my regular daytime background music) is carrying the same news programme as the rest of the BBC. Seriously, how hard is it to switch to Solemn Music Megamaix.

As said by AcornAutumn I doubt Prince Philip would have been in favour. It's a big gesture trying to be seen when in reality those involved (RF) probably wouldn't care if they remained open. Perhaps they were trying to be extra respectful as the Queen is their patron.

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

Completely and utterly this. I feel like Alice down the rabbit hole with all the weeping and gnashing of teeth that’s going on. Just mystified about why people are even interested.

@NoWordForFluffy @RickiTarr I think we’re completely at cross purposes with this and apologise for derailing the other thread (never heard the term ‘merail’ before but I guess is means derailing with stuff about yourself?). I suppose I am having a bad day insofar as I am genuinely angry about the blanket coverage and the RHS thing, which I see as symptomatic of our national kowtowing to elites at the expense of the general public. I’m very liberal and very egalitarian, and I guess I feel like I’m swimming against the tide of the national mood generally at the moment. Anyway, don’t want to ‘merail’ again so apologies.

It's inconveniencing ordinary people in an empty gesture of deference. What better way to celebrate what he stood for?

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who thinks this!

They could have not let new people in but booting people out is just harsh. Though I suppose it was his garden and you wouldn't stay in someone's garden having a nice day if they had just died.

@iguanadonna

What an undignified situation to create

Yes, terribly. A really bad and misjudged call by the RHS, especially at the moment when people are only just allowed back to these sort of events.

I’m hoping Charles & William will both go in for Scandinavian type reforms to the monarchy. In the meantime @TempsPerdu bunker down with boxsets and save your blood pressure if it’s really pissing you off so much.

I feel differently about deaths, myself. Fuss & expense around royal hatches & matches wind me up, but we all have to die, and it’s always sad for the family.

I think the problem these days is that organisations are so frightened of a social media backlash if they're not seen to be doing the 'right thing' so they make daft decisions like this.

Ridiculous. The country's gone mad this afternoon. Literally cannot even find a normal radio station to listen to. God help us when the queen dies.