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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to London for the state funeral?

76 replies

Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:19

DD (16 years old) has asked if we can travel
down to London as she wants to pay her
respects. Obviously she knows she would be part
of a crowd so to speak and not inside the funeral
itself. DH is saying "it's not safe" due to the
amount of people who would be there. Obviously
I would be with DD, it wouldn't be her there alone

OP posts:
Original poster
Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:26

Would it be better to take her to queue to see the queen Lay In State rather than being part of a crowd on the day of the funeral?

OP posts:
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 13/09/2022 07:27

Have you booked your travel tickets and planned your journey carefully? Are you expecting to be able to see something of the procession itself? The police are expecting MASSIVE crowds, many of whom will have camped out overnight to secure their spot. Anticipated numbers of visitors to London that day is in the region of one million people…

girlmom21 · 13/09/2022 07:27

If I was going to go I'd rather be there on funeral day. Yes it'll be busier but there'll be more to see

Original poster
Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:28

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 13/09/2022 07:27

Have you booked your travel tickets and planned your journey carefully? Are you expecting to be able to see something of the procession itself? The police are expecting MASSIVE crowds, many of whom will have camped out overnight to secure their spot. Anticipated numbers of visitors to London that day is in the region of one million people…

We’ve not booked it yet but would do it today if we are going. I think DD is expecting to see something of the procession itself yes!

OP posts:
BMW6 · 13/09/2022 07:28

Personally I think it's going to be so overcrowded it could get dangerous, and you are unlikely to be able to see anything except the back of ghe person in front of you.

I was all for going but have changed my mind. People have already started queues and picked their spot at the roadside.

Original poster
Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:28

girlmom21 · 13/09/2022 07:27

If I was going to go I'd rather be there on funeral day. Yes it'll be busier but there'll be more to see

I think this was DD’s thinking too

OP posts:
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 13/09/2022 07:29

Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:26

Would it be better to take her to queue to see the queen Lay In State rather than being part of a crowd on the day of the funeral?

Some estimates have speculated that you could be queuing for twelve hours so it depends on your stamina, I guess!

I’d find some other way to pay my respects, tbh.

WhatIsThisMad · 13/09/2022 07:29

Im planning to take my 8 and 10 year olds! Pretty sure a teen DD will b fine! I went for the 2000 celebrations and remember I could barely move! Didn't c alot, but the atmosphere was something I'll never forget!

SleeplessInEngland · 13/09/2022 07:29

No reason it won’t be safe, it’ll just be a gigantic hassle and totally not worth it.

QuebecBagnet · 13/09/2022 07:29

They’re talking about 30 hour queues to see her lying in state. Remember the queue will be constantly slowly moving so little/no chance to sit down. I wouldn’t try that. I think even with the funeral you will see more on TV. 🤷‍♀️ The chances of being at the front on the route are minimal unles you sleep out overnight.

Original poster
Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:29

WhatIsThisMad · 13/09/2022 07:29

Im planning to take my 8 and 10 year olds! Pretty sure a teen DD will b fine! I went for the 2000 celebrations and remember I could barely move! Didn't c alot, but the atmosphere was something I'll never forget!

She does really want to go but DH is insisting it’s not safe

OP posts:
Whinge · 13/09/2022 07:30

I think DD is expecting to see something of the procession itself yes!

If she wants to see the procession then she's best staying at home. The crowds are expected to be enormous, and unless you camp out for several days beforehand there's no chance you'll be close enough to see anything.

Habbyhadno · 13/09/2022 07:30

I think I'm going to go, I live 30 mins away by train but I'm going to catch the first one in at 04:50. My friend's husband works in Westminster and said people are camping out already to secure a spot, so I don't expect to see much unless I get lucky.

InglouriousBasterd · 13/09/2022 07:31

They’re setting up screens in Hyde Park - is that an option? More space, still a part of it.

Maltester71 · 13/09/2022 07:31

Hyde park would be better imo

Original poster
Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:32

InglouriousBasterd · 13/09/2022 07:31

They’re setting up screens in Hyde Park - is that an option? More space, still a part of it.

I’ll definitely as DD about this, I didn’t know they we’re doing this in Hyde Park

OP posts:
trussedchicken · 13/09/2022 07:32

Unless you get there hours and hours in advance, I doubt you'll see anything due to the sheer numbers of people who got there before you. Some have been camped out since the weekend to secure a spot. It's a nice idea to go in theory, however in practice I'm not sure it would be what she's expecting.

Lcb123 · 13/09/2022 07:35

I live in London and I will be avoiding the Westminster area from tomorrow until next week. It’s going to be chaotic by all account.
Might be worth saying that she will get a much better viewpoint on TV, as I doubt you’d see much from the street, and making sure she understands how busy it will be, not easily finding a toilet etc. not being negative just realistic!

Changeisneeded · 13/09/2022 07:35

I went to the jubilee by about 9:00 they were restricting entry to the parks so if you are going I’d get up as early as you can and aim to be in place by 6. They did have some security measures including heavy policing, sniffer dogs and also the mobile signal was blocked. I expect it will be similar for the funeral and at no point did I not feel safe.

nachoavocado · 13/09/2022 07:37

You are very unlikely to actually see any of it due to numbers. But up to you and her. At 16 she should be allowed to make this decision for herself.

Original poster
Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:38

Lcb123 · 13/09/2022 07:35

I live in London and I will be avoiding the Westminster area from tomorrow until next week. It’s going to be chaotic by all account.
Might be worth saying that she will get a much better viewpoint on TV, as I doubt you’d see much from the street, and making sure she understands how busy it will be, not easily finding a toilet etc. not being negative just realistic!

I will suggest the TV to DD but I know she really wants to be in London itself

OP posts:
Original poster
Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:38

Changeisneeded · 13/09/2022 07:35

I went to the jubilee by about 9:00 they were restricting entry to the parks so if you are going I’d get up as early as you can and aim to be in place by 6. They did have some security measures including heavy policing, sniffer dogs and also the mobile signal was blocked. I expect it will be similar for the funeral and at no point did I not feel safe.

Good to hear you felt safe at all times

OP posts:
SleeplessInEngland · 13/09/2022 07:38

I can’t imagine anything worse than being in zone 1 on that day but I would certainly opt for a park with a big screen rather than
’near’ the procession where she’ll just a view of a stranger’s back for hours.

Original poster
Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:39

nachoavocado · 13/09/2022 07:37

You are very unlikely to actually see any of it due to numbers. But up to you and her. At 16 she should be allowed to make this decision for herself.

I agree but she’s said she’s only going if I come too. And DH is trying to say it won’t be safe so just not too sure

OP posts:
Hawkins001 · 13/09/2022 07:40

Tiggythetiger · 13/09/2022 07:19

DD (16 years old) has asked if we can travel
down to London as she wants to pay her
respects. Obviously she knows she would be part
of a crowd so to speak and not inside the funeral
itself. DH is saying "it's not safe" due to the
amount of people who would be there. Obviously
I would be with DD, it wouldn't be her there alone

I'm sure all the relevant, security services will be all over the event, but at the same time, it would be a prime hot spot, for security risks.

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