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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to finally share this secret!

343 replies

hereforever · 14/09/2022 09:40

Name changed as potentially identifying, but been here forever.

Many years ago (deliberately being vague but 10+ years ago) my dh came home from work and said he has a massive secret to tell me, that I couldn't tell another soul.....that his company was designing and building the Queen's Hearse. The business is just a small family-run firm based in the North, and whilst they had been making Jaguar hearses for years this was totally unexpected.
The whole team worked really hard on it and it was built with the utmost secrecy and respect, kept hidden until now - very few people even knew it existed (it's been hard sometimes not sharing with family).

I'm having mixed emotions since we saw it on tv last night - as I want to shout from the rooftops how proud I am of DH and the team but so far this is the only place I've shared as I don't want to look crass in what is a very sad time for our country.

So AIBU to finally share this secret and whilst it is very sad, also be very honoured to be part of our Queen's final journey.

to finally share this secret!
OP posts:
Bunchymcbunchface · 15/09/2022 20:41

Well done. It looked great. I for one appreciate the craftsmanship that’s gone into something like that.
he must feel very proud - and yes obviously the sadness is there as is the respect for the Queen. Good for him, you’ve every right to feel proud.

User354354 · 15/09/2022 20:54

Thank you for sharing. What a part of history your DH has been involved in.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/09/2022 21:17

It must've been strange designing it knowing the porpose and for the Queen to have involvement in the design of a vehicle knowing it would carry her in death.
Like when a Pharoah was announced , they immediately started building their pyramid !

It must be viewed as an engineering feat . The visibility required with the security needed.

findingsomeone · 15/09/2022 21:31

This is amazing OP, thank you for sharing. How lovely to have a special connection like this. A story to be passed through the family for decades to come.

eastegg · 15/09/2022 21:37

QueenWatevraWaNabi · 14/09/2022 10:07

Does your DH know you've shared this on mumsnet? It is a really public forum, and this will likely be picked up by the papers now.

So?

Jack80 · 15/09/2022 21:48

Something interesting to tell the grandkids, it’s also a proud moment to see it on the tv

FeedMeTiramisu · 15/09/2022 21:55

You must be so proud!

Genuine questions:

  1. is the inside of the hearse kept cold?

  2. is there a glass partitioning between the coffin and driver?

Been wondering this for days!

BlodynGwyn · 15/09/2022 21:56

742386w · 14/09/2022 10:06

Thank you for sharing your story OP. I did have a little chuckle to myself wondering what the Queen would have travelled from Balmoral in if it had been left to Prince Phillip to design. Loved his land rover creation! I expect protocol prevailed though.

I also loved his Land Rover creation, but would have loved to have seen a team of Fell ponies hauling him along.

Bpdqueen · 15/09/2022 22:02

I don't think you should be posting confidential information on mumsnet and I also think its something you should keep to yourself

anon666 · 15/09/2022 22:17

Ah, thanks for sharing. A lovely story, and it's fabulous.

As for the griping you're getting, wonder what makes some people so miserable they have to rain on everyone else's parade about everything . 😢

Our turnover of monarchs is pretty low, so I expect we can afford a decent hearse once every 70 years. 🙄 Especially as the whole world is watching.

BornBlonde · 15/09/2022 22:24

Chumbazumba · 14/09/2022 10:18

I thought it was quite moving that she had clearly thought about the lighting, that even in death, the emphasis was on being seen and giving the best and clearest view to as many people as possible. It looked like a little light boat sailing down the M40 in the dark, like an Armada, with all the cars around it stopped.

Agree with @Chumbazumba

jaychops · 15/09/2022 22:31

Your husband and his team should be very proud of themselves!

HappyDays40 · 15/09/2022 22:33

OP is it Wilcox in Wigan, I work that way on?

stacyvaron · 15/09/2022 22:50

It was an honor to be part of such an important event, and I'm pleased to know that it was completed with respect. It's absolutely something to be proud of. For those that say it's just a car, I say the flag is just a bit of colorful fabric, and the national anthem is just a tune, but so.e thing have meaning beyond the physical.

Autumn61 · 15/09/2022 23:32

Polar opposite of a royalist ( Scottish) , but for a small business to be chosen for such an important and well televised occasion I can totally understand your pride. You go girl, tell anybody who will listen. Let’s hope this makes the small business a big business. Bloody well done for holding on to it for 10 years!

Silvers11 · 15/09/2022 23:33

eastegg · 15/09/2022 21:37

So?

Show quote history

Well there is info out there stating who designed it and even the name of the company who built it and where it was actually built, so don't think there is an issue here

Silvers11 · 15/09/2022 23:35

HappyDays40 · 15/09/2022 22:33

OP is it Wilcox in Wigan, I work that way on?

According to articles on Google - yes it is. Hopefully the OP will confirm as it doesn't appear to be a secret!

Silvers11 · 15/09/2022 23:36

Bpdqueen · 15/09/2022 22:02

I don't think you should be posting confidential information on mumsnet and I also think its something you should keep to yourself

Hardly confidential now it has been and is being used. Information is available elsewhere now in the Public Domain, so why not?

LittleLemonTree · 16/09/2022 00:22

I think this is absolutely brilliant! Your DH should be super proud and, wow, that’s a huge secret to have kept- I take my hat off to you for keeping it!!

busymomtoone · 16/09/2022 00:25

I’m not at all surprised you feel proud - even a non car appreciating person such as myself could admire it; and given that the Queen herself was involved in the design and that all the Royals seem to have a thorough appreciation of craftsmanship, I think she would have been the first to take delight in someone explaining the skills involved. Those saying it’s inappropriate seem to be ignoring the very public nature of all Her Majesty’s funeral and arrangements. I think it’s absolutely amazing that you have ( albeit via your husband) been involved in such an important part of history and for such a revered and respected character. Well done!

BlooberryBiskits · 16/09/2022 01:18

Chumbazumba · 14/09/2022 10:18

I thought it was quite moving that she had clearly thought about the lighting, that even in death, the emphasis was on being seen and giving the best and clearest view to as many people as possible. It looked like a little light boat sailing down the M40 in the dark, like an Armada, with all the cars around it stopped.

^ this - (great & poetic description @Chumbazumba )

@hereforever : your pride in your DHs work is touching, it’s a beautiful, one of a kind hearse for a one of a kind Queen

LikeAStar1994 · 16/09/2022 03:13

Fraine · 14/09/2022 09:43

It's a car really.

Miserable fucker.

Alcemeg · 16/09/2022 03:37

Chumbazumba · 14/09/2022 10:18

I thought it was quite moving that she had clearly thought about the lighting, that even in death, the emphasis was on being seen and giving the best and clearest view to as many people as possible. It looked like a little light boat sailing down the M40 in the dark, like an Armada, with all the cars around it stopped.

I love this post.

And enjoy your secret glory, OP. Skills are often invisible, I'd never have thought much about it but love hearing about the work behind the scenes. X

eastegg · 16/09/2022 07:56

Silvers11 · 15/09/2022 23:33

Well there is info out there stating who designed it and even the name of the company who built it and where it was actually built, so don't think there is an issue here

Show quote history

Yes, I know. You’ve quoted me instead of the pp you seem to be talking to. I said ‘so?’ because I didn’t think there was an issue either.

QueenWatevraWaNabi · 16/09/2022 07:59

eastegg · 15/09/2022 21:37

So?

Show quote history

The OP"s first post: I want to shout from the rooftops how proud I am of DH and the team but so far this is the only place I've shared as I don't want to look crass in what is a very sad time for our country

So that. It seems odd to share something very identifiable (to the company) on a public forum when you have already doubted whether it's crass or not to tell anyone yet.