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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Prince George and the Queen's funeral

309 replies

KTKismet · 18/09/2022 05:17

Can't sleep and read this:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11222927/Prince-William-Princess-Kate-considering-taking-9-year-old-George-Queens-funeral.html

AIBU to think "palace aides" should wind their necks in and leave Prince George alone, rather than insisting he attends the queen's funeral.

He has a lifetime of service ahead of him, surely they should preserve his childhood as long as possible. I think it's hugely inappropriate, AIBU?

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 18/09/2022 12:09

I wouldn't believe there is pressure from the Palace though.

It might have been floated but that's it, it will be up to William to decide.

Piglet89 · 18/09/2022 12:11

@Blackheath95 agree. Where in U.K. are you from (I presume not England).

toomuchlaundry · 18/09/2022 12:12

@Abraxan there are actually 3 services, there is the committal service at Windsor with about 800 guests, which is also going to be on tv. Then the private family internment service in the evening

TheOrigRights · 18/09/2022 12:13

EarringsandLipstick · 18/09/2022 05:48

Both William and Harry have commented that walking behind the Queen's coffin was triggering for them

Did they? Where did they comment?

The early death of your mother in tragic circumstances is not at all comparable to the natural passing of your great grandmother.
I don't have an opinion on whether George should attend (I don't know enough about all the politics/protocol/expectations etc) but I don't think this is a consideration

Newpuppymummy · 18/09/2022 12:18

I think it is fine to be at the funeral if he wants to be. It is also fine for him not to be at the funeral if he doesn’t want to be.

fiftiesmum · 18/09/2022 12:18

I was nine when my grandmother died in another part of the country. I had to travel with my parents to the area but then was left with a stranger during the funeral. I was left with a feeling that something bad must be happening that I couldn't go. I decided that I would always take my own children to funerals (and sit near the exit) much to the annoyance of my DM

the80sweregreat · 18/09/2022 12:19

What they made those two princes ( William and Harry ) do for their mum was out of order , her death was shocking and unexpected and they should have stayed in a funeral car ( just my opinion )
I think that today , with social media as it is, I think people would have expressed such outrage it might not have happened.

Abraxan · 18/09/2022 12:21

toomuchlaundry · 18/09/2022 12:12

@Abraxan there are actually 3 services, there is the committal service at Windsor with about 800 guests, which is also going to be on tv. Then the private family internment service in the evening

So the same point made - there is no reason for him to attend the mass televised versions if there is a smaller private service for the family. No one needs to see a child in tv at the funeral just to show continuity of the royal line.

Abraxan · 18/09/2022 12:23

fiftiesmum · 18/09/2022 12:18

I was nine when my grandmother died in another part of the country. I had to travel with my parents to the area but then was left with a stranger during the funeral. I was left with a feeling that something bad must be happening that I couldn't go. I decided that I would always take my own children to funerals (and sit near the exit) much to the annoyance of my DM

No one is saying he shouldn't attend the funeral. However in this case the mass televised one isn't the only service and at least one of the options is more child appropriate imo.

the80sweregreat · 18/09/2022 12:25

His only nine, he should be kept away from funerals , but that is just my own opinion.
Especially as it's going to be a global tv event and very sad. It's a bit different to any normal family funeral in every single respect.

Wakemeuuuup · 18/09/2022 12:28

Attending his great grandmother's funeral would normally be the right thing to do.

Attending the state funeral of the Queen with the eyes of the world on him would be ridiculous. If he feels upset he'll be told not to cry, his parents will be in work mode so not able to comfort him etc etc.

If the ceremony in Windsor is private without cameras all the great grandchildren should be there

FairyHannie · 18/09/2022 12:29

He should obviously be allowed to the private burial in the evening where there are no cameras present but should not be wheeled out in front of the world's cameras just because senior palace aides say so.
If his parents and he himself is happy with it then fair enough but is he going to be told not try and not show any emotion? Because that would be wrong.

Blackheath95 · 18/09/2022 12:29

@Piglet89 Australia 🇦🇺

skyeisthelimit · 18/09/2022 12:30

The parents need to make the decision based on what is best for their child, and not bow to palace pressure. They do seem to put the DC first, so lets hope they make the right decision.

Each child is different, DD didn't want to go to her great grandmother's funeral when she was 11. George is 9 and this will be fully televised and he will have to behave in a certain way. It could be too much for him.

Piglet89 · 18/09/2022 12:32

@Blackheath95 interesting; I might have guessed Ireland or Northern Ireland; I’m from NI and attended my first wake at a very young age (about 4 I think). It’ll have been an open casket at the wake, too.

Uagp · 18/09/2022 12:34

I don't think he should have to go to the televised one. Your grief played out on TV for all your new friends at school to watch as entertainment etc. Horrible.

Meili04 · 18/09/2022 12:34

I won't judge either way he might be too young for a state funeral with the media present all day. He's started going to some events but this a big one. I trust Will and Kates judgement on this.

ajandjjmum · 18/09/2022 12:40

StolenWillowTree · 18/09/2022 12:06

No way will George be allowed to skip, he's the future king, he's being trained for that job from birth. Attending major royal events is literally his job.

Kate won't get any say.

You're being silly. Kate absolutely will have a say - probably the final say.

rainbowandglitter · 18/09/2022 12:49

Ds is 12 and isn't going to his great grandparents funeral next week.

britneyisfree · 18/09/2022 13:00

I didn't go to my first funeral until I was 15. I've only just realised my mum had intentionally avoided me attending ones prior to that.

My baby is 2 and has been to two but only because she was too young to leave at home. I don't think I'd take her to one now as she'd understand too much of what was going on. But maybe I would to help her understand if it was someone who meant a lot to her. Hopefully it won't come up for a long while.

Brefugee · 18/09/2022 13:03

I suppose his presence or not at public events will depend on how the RF want to sell themselves on the day. "oh she was a queen but also mother/grandmother/great-grandmother and we're sad just like you would be". Or if they'll be "we're just like you and he shouldn't be in the public eye you're all ghouls for wanting to see him"

I'm sure their PR will steer them accordingly Grin

LosingTheWill2022 · 18/09/2022 13:04

I'd be very disappointed if he was brought to the State funeral.
As has been pointed out there are 2 further services at Windsor, so I hope he goes to the private one.

LosingTheWill2022 · 18/09/2022 13:06

LosingTheWill2022 · 18/09/2022 13:04

I'd be very disappointed if he was brought to the State funeral.
As has been pointed out there are 2 further services at Windsor, so I hope he goes to the private one.

Assuming he and his parents want that. It shouldn't be a duty thing. Same applies to the other young ggc.

BertieQueen · 18/09/2022 13:09

should always be up to the parents to decide. All children are different and have different ways of coping with situations. When my child was younger it would have been a definite no as emotionally it would not have been good for him. Now older (early teen) I would give the option to attend.

I am nearly 40 and have never been to a funeral.

LittlePet · 18/09/2022 13:20

There is a massive difference between a state funeral (for a much loved great granny) and a private family funeral.
If he doesn't go to the state funeral I doubt that means he (and his siblings and cousins who are old enough to understand) won't have the opportunity to say goodbye during private service at St George's after the public part is over or a memorial service at some point.
He definitely doesn't need to go to the state funeral just because he will be King one day.