To think it's a shame we can't pay our respects

[KeepYaHeadUp]

When we initially heard about the funeral plans DH and I said it might be "nice" to take our DC to London (we're just outside) to walk past the Queen in Westminster Hall. They've been very interested in the whole event and are old enough now that they'll remember it and be able to talk about it, etc. so when they independently asked to go we looked into it.

It quickly became apparent it wasn't going to be feasible due to the huge queues etc, so that was knocked on the head. I feel it's a shame but there's no way I'd have them queuing in the rain.

On the news this morning there are a number of people who's caught flights from all over the world to come and be part of it. One pair - a mother and adult son from New York flew over as soon as they heard the Queen had died and are queuing now.

I know it's unreasonable really, but I felt a pang of something - jealousy, irritation, not sure - at these people with money and time to fly for hours to come and pay their respects to our monarch adding to numbers which effectively deny other groups the opportunity. I know there are allowances made for people with disabilities who are unable to queue for up to 30 hours, but what about children/families for whom it's impossible?

Good grief. You can pay your respects in many ways, why not go to a local church, donate to charity, plant a tree etc. Just because you haven’t taken part in the London events doesn’t make you less respectful. And remember the queen was very much of the view that all people, especially (but not just) those in the commonwealth were equal- she’s not just an English queen for people from England.

It's a funeral, not a jolly. Have some self respect, do something local and stop whinging.

What do you mean turning it into a tourist event and fun day out?

It is a tourist event, not sure about a fun day out standing in the rain for 30 hours, but if that is what the tourist want to do then so be it.

Of all the things you could do with kids in London, queuing for hours to look at a coffin is not the most enriching.

Why not stage your own lying in state at home? Get a box, put a tablecloth over it and make your kids wait outside an hour or two before looking at it.

So only people who go for the right reasons should be allowed to queue for hours in the rain for a 30 second glimpse of the coffin? What are the wrong reasons? Nobody is going to do this for a laugh.

Maybe hold a watering can over their heads so they get the full experience?

I'm in the middle of London at the moment having travelled from the Isle of Wight to pay my respects. It's very daunting I have to say, I'm really pleased they are taking security so seriously but roads are being closed all around with people being moved through very tight spaces. It is very overwhelming again, understandably so.

@SoupDragon 🤣🤣🤣 you're funny.

@Ihatethenewlook irs not about gawping it’s about paying respects. I certainly don’t intend to have my phone out taking photos.

I would have liked to go, I would have liked to take my daughter but travelling from where we live to potentially queue for 20 hours is unfeasible for us for a few reasons. We will pay our own tributes. I've donated some money to some of her preferred charities, like I did when Philip died, for example.

I'm not bitter that others can do it though. Them's the rubs.

I think I know what you are saying OP, you want to pay your respects in person and although you would be willing to undergo a certain amount of discomfort to do so, the current situation does not allow for that - the discomfort will be intolerable. Added to that a lot of people who are visiting are not doing it for the same reasons as you, that some of them are there for the spectacle rather than the sentiment?

I mean I do agree with you and can see the frustration, I just also think the horrendous and lengthy waits will discourage all but the most enthusiastic. If it was to be ticketed I could imagine a person queuing up for a ticket and then selling them onwards for a massive profit. The spectacle would be even worse than it is now. Can you imagine "Tickets to see the Queen 6pm to 9pm" for sale on ebay for massive amounts? I can. If names were checked that would add horrendously to the workload of the security.

I pay my respects in private. It is a lot simpler and more straightforward. I find I like people less and less as I get older, and this situation is actually quite uncomfortable to watch. Best left to the hardy and the enthusiasts.

There are rules about no photos, videos etc.

‘Airport’ type security, searches etc.

Theres a sort of irony in expecting fairness and equality and taking into account different people's circumstances when it comes to anything to do with the monarchy. Their whole set up is about some people being born more special than everyone else and being able to access all kinds of privilege due to an accident of birth. If you're buying into that then I'm not sure how you can also buy into the idea that people with specific difficult circumstances should have the playing field levelled for them...

I find it bizzare you keep insisting that children are missing out. I just can't see many children being upset and standing around to see a hearse pass by.

There’s a wrist band system. Nothing to stop you all going there, joining the queue, getting your wristbands then taking it in turns to take the D.C. off to do other things. However I suspect the one queuing will still not want to along with everyone else, although apparently there is a really good atmosphere there which is surely part of the occasion. Everyone has a right to do this regardless of the reason.
Next excuse?

What an odd thread. Being bitter because others can do something and you (apparently) cannot?!

Jesus Christ this thread. Stop the world, I want to get off.

How far from London are you OP? We live in London but don't want to queue so instead took a walk through Green Park to see all the tributes. I appreciate that's not worth the trip if you're a long way away though. I think it's really personal choice. Some people are OK with hours of queuing but if not, choose another way to pay tribute.

Do you really want to queue for up to 30 hours predicted with your DC, not able to rest as you will be constantly moving along. Often in life there are things we just can’t do.

I agree and I think it is a real shame that the Queen wasn't transported from Scotland to London by train down the length of the country, which would have given millions of people the chance to stand along the railway to pay their respects to her passing coffin, rather than everyone having to come to London or miss out entirely (except for those in Scotland who were able to pay respects initially).

No, she wants a fast track ticket to skip the queue because she has children and because she hasn't flown in for the occasion!

Not only that, OP apparently isn't particularly fussed about doing it. It's for the (hypothetical) children you see.

I understand your disappointment, as I can’t queue for many hours not after a long train journey to London. I can’t afford a hotel either- even before the price gouging profiteering kicked in with the London hotels. I had half hoped they’d do a timed ticket thing for those of us with additional needs as Id like to make the journey down to see the Queen lying in state as well.

However, I have fully charged my mobility scooter and will this afternoon (when the rain is supposed to ease off) be riding it to my local library which I found out online last night has a physical condolence book that I can write a message in. So I will do that and round the corner is a CofE church…I have a candle and matches just in case they don’t and will light a candle, have a moment of reflection and then turn my mobility scooter homewards.

Some people would have been idiots and got too close to the track

I respected the Queen and am following a lot of the coverage, but the only thing that would persuade me to stand in a queue for 30 hours, probably being rained on, was if they were going to hand me the keys to the jewel vault and a couple of the nicer palaces at the end.

Good on those who are made of much stronger stuff than me, though.