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?

@JenerationH

Screw the gardens closing, I've just found out that Pointless isn't on!

NOW I'M ANGRY!!!!!

And MasterChef. Why do we need the Prince Philip stuff on BBC1 and BB2?

I thought Xander once said that The Queen watches Pointless. Maybe Philip did too. I'd like to think he'd be annoyed as well.

I've just made a complaint to the BBC for clearing all programming on all channels. Thank goodness for NetFlix.

Beyond ridiculous. It's not a tragedy; he's 99 and had a long, privileged life. Whereas the bulk of the population has had a very, very difficult year ... I can't imagine he'd be happy being 'remembered' in this manner.

@Miljea

I just mentioned it to my DH (who isn't a royalist so hasn't really followed the news apart from knowing Prince Philip had died).

He said 'God, was his body found in the Gardens?'

....

@Onthegrid

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

Yes it is. Why on earth do BBC1 and BBC2 need to be covering it?

Stupid.

I shudder to think how OTT Operation London Bridge will be when HMQ goes. Will the police be sent round to check we're all in mourning in our homes?

Yes, you'll have to keep your curtains closed until after the funeral, only play solemn music, put black armbands on all your pets and laughing and jollity will be banned throughout the period between her death and the interment.

The whole thing has been a total over-reaction IMHO.

Isn't the TV thing state mourning.

What a stupid idea. I hope they gave people their money back!

No, there has been no announcement on state morning

This is simply the broadcasters doing what they think is right.

At least they're wearing black ties (learned from the criticism following death of HMQM, when the main news anchors stayed in colours, but Jonathan Ross wore black)

Well it is the Royal Horticultural Society,

But I am bored of the non stop media coverage already ...

I think it is poor taste to usher people out of gardens, especially at this point of timing. Over the weekend, we'll be meeting family at a similar type of venue not having seen them for 8 months as it's been illegal for groups of cousins to see each other since September.

Weeks of mournful music drove me around the bend at the start of the first lockdown and became intolerable.

I liked Prince Phillip. He's had a long and good life; It's not the shock value of Diana's death. Sad as it is for the Royal Household, Organisations such as the RHS and BBC are seriously misjudging the public's needs at the present time.

thebillyotea

all news agencies have had material ready for years, so I am sure they have more than enough to fill in hours.

The BBC doesn't seem to.
I've switched it on a few times to see if anything's changed and it seems to be on a loop. Not a very big loop, either.

I've seen "The Royal Family" documentary followed by Charles being taken to Gourdonstone (sp?) followed by prince Philip painting followed by the queen's speech on the occasion of their golden wedding... (and breathe) three times now! Exactly the same footage.
Also the coronation followed by an opening of parliament twice. Exactly the same.
And an identical interview with Robert Lacey 2.5 times.

I appreciate I'm on a very shallow learning curve but was hoping against hope that it wasn't going to continue all day and with the same footage on BBC1 and BBC2.
It's like living in some totalitarian state

And I'm very, very fed up about Pointless, House of Games, Great British Menu and Masterchef.

Otoh, DH has perked up no end as he can now watch some obscure rugby league match on Sky

Yes, odd decision. I was at RHS garden yesterday with my sister who haven't been able to go out with . I'd have been really annoyed if it had been today (glad he hung on a bit longer I guess!)

That's bloody ridiculous- I'd have been furious if I was there.

Feels like we’re being forced fed this stuff. What about the many non royals who have died recently.

This is what I’ve been whingeing about all day, but it felt like I was shouting into the void. I feel no personal vitriol at all towards Prince Philip, but it’s where tributes and condolences tip over into propaganda that I start getting cross, and this is definitely propaganda. Even 6Music is playing sad, dirgey stuff on a loop.

We’ve gone full on media blackout in this house.

Temps I have R6 on too. My mind is screaming into the void at the dirge.

It’s as if we can’t have our own thoughts.

I can’t think of who I want to listen to instead but need something else

Sounds crazy. People must be very annoyed to be turfed out early after paying for admission, this seems like a pointless gesture. There were other ways the RHS could have shown respect and marked the news, without this measure.

Temps with the presenters having a hushed whispery voice in between.

7pm R6 is best time slot

If it’s this all night argh

Is it a garden?

W. T. F.

A 99 year old has died! It is neither unexpected nor sad! He had an amazing life there is nothing sad about 99 yrs of fun wealth and privilege. This isn’t like Princess Diana being hounded to death in the prime of life. This is 🤷‍♀️ old dude died what did you expect.

He would not have wanted his death to ruin anyone else’s day, especially at the moment.

RHS = arseholes who misread the room.

RHS = arseholes who misread the room

And also a garden?

We were at Wisley and it was a bloody awful thing to do to people. There were so many families having lovely picnics after not seeing each other for months. We had been an hour when we were turfed out. The traffic queue to get out was horrendous. I’m sure it was awful for the staff. The guy I spoke to told me it was some weird royal protocol thing. I’m sure it’s the last thing in the world Prince Philip would have wanted! A far better mark of respect would be to have let people carry on enjoying the beautiful gardens.