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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

George and Charlotte in the procession today

182 replies

Highover · 19/09/2022 08:06

I’ve just read that George and Charlotte are going to be in the funeral procession today. I’m a bit gobsmacked. Why would their family want them involved in the spectacle? I thought they wanted them to have a ‘normal’ life. Am I alone in feeling uncomfortable with this?
IABU it’s right and proper that they attend their great granny’s funeral
IANBU Young children have no place at any funeral let alone this massive event. They should be at home with their Nanny.

OP posts:
THATissooFETCH · 19/09/2022 08:12

Yabu its down to them as parents to decide. As much as it can be said they want a normal life for their children George will one day be king. Nothing normal about that. Also the children may WANT to attend

Carpy88999 · 19/09/2022 08:13

I think their parents are better placed to the make the decision on what their children are comfortable in doing. I'm sure they appreciate your concern though.

00100001 · 19/09/2022 08:14

I guess their parents know them best and have made the decision to allow it.

Nothing to do with us really.

I don't think I'd have them in the procession personally. Only because they won't necessarily be walking with Mum and Dad, certainly not Dad.

windowwhy · 19/09/2022 08:15

Yabu

girlmom21 · 19/09/2022 08:16

YABU. They've done lots of things where they've greeted members of the public and I'd take my children to my nans funeral at their age.

Quartz2208 · 19/09/2022 08:16

Mine at a similar age (10 and 7) attended my grandmothers funeral. They were in a funeral car with me followed the coffin in, sat through it and went to the restaurant afterwards.

They saw my grandmother around 4 or 5 times a year so they definitely knew her.

The scale and granduer of this one is obviously so different by fundamentally it was the same and they definitely wanted to go and were pleased they did. It is the spectacle perhaps that does make it more different - but that is the bit they are used to.

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 19/09/2022 08:16

YABU. Their parents will have thought about their children and they know what their kids can handle. The kids know their great grandmother has died and if they want to be there, why not?

generalh · 19/09/2022 08:17

What is it ti you? Turn the TV off if you don't want to see it.

namechange30455 · 19/09/2022 08:20

Highover · 19/09/2022 08:06

I’ve just read that George and Charlotte are going to be in the funeral procession today. I’m a bit gobsmacked. Why would their family want them involved in the spectacle? I thought they wanted them to have a ‘normal’ life. Am I alone in feeling uncomfortable with this?
IABU it’s right and proper that they attend their great granny’s funeral
IANBU Young children have no place at any funeral let alone this massive event. They should be at home with their Nanny.

There's a middle ground isn't there, between walking in the procession and funerals "not being a place for young children". I think YA both BU and NBU.

I wouldn't want them in the procession but I think denying a 9 and 7 year old a chance to attend their great-grandmother's funeral if they wanted to would be extremely cruel.

mycatisannoying · 19/09/2022 08:21

YANBU.

GreenIsle · 19/09/2022 08:21

I think they want their children involved for the publicity in future years from it, seriously. Like Harry and William behind Diana's coffin etc.

LadyHarmby · 19/09/2022 08:22

They’re only walking behind the coffin from the door of the Abbey to the altar. I think that’s fine for their age.

Quartz2208 · 19/09/2022 08:22

They arent walking in the procession they are in a car with their mother and Step Grandmother.

Llamapalma · 19/09/2022 08:24

YABU

My daughter was a similar age when my Granny died who she saw at least weekly.

She very much wanted to be a part of the funeral and we had a lovely family day which we all look back on fondly.

I wouldn't be surprised if they gave George and Charlotte the option after explaining what they could do if they wanted. With my daughter we explained what the funeral would be like and gave her the option of sitting in the car, coming to the service etc etc. She wanted to do all of it and even chose the flowers and did drawings for the order of service. And was very proud of herself on the day and so many guests commented to her how well she did and how nice the flowers/drawings were.

They might be royals but they're also still people, a family funeral will still feel the same in a lot of ways I'm sure. I hope they look back on today and feel proud of themselves and that their great-granny had a loving send off.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 19/09/2022 08:26

Yabu.

CrabbitBastard · 19/09/2022 08:28

YABU - they are only walking down the abbey aisle and even if they weren't, its not the same as walking behind your mother's funeral who died in horrific circumstances at only 36! This is a 96 year old grandmother!

PugInTheHouse · 19/09/2022 08:28

Of course young children have a place at a close relatives funeral if they want to and if the parents feel ready. Under 5s probably not but if it was a parents funeral then possibly a bit different. At 9 and 7 I think they'll be fine.

My close friend has never got over not being allowed to her dad's funeral at the age of 9. She was old enough to decide to go or not and the reason she wasn't is because her mum didn't want to have to worry about her. I don't think that is a good enough reason. Constantly her mums family told her she had to be strong for her mum etc, she never had any support.

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 19/09/2022 08:30

They’re not in the procession from Westminster, just entering the Abbey. And it’s their decision, why are people so quick to judge - pretty normal for 9 and 7 year olds to attend funerals.

Per1w1nkke · 19/09/2022 08:31

YABU. Their children, they know them best not you. The way we handle death in this country isn’t healthy. We teach children to be scared of it, we’re all going to die.My children attended a funeral procession for a close family friend along with other children at the ages of 3 and 4 in a meadow. So not a big issue because we didn’t make it a big issue. You start flapping and making a big fuss about excluding children and you instantly start a life long fear of death. Kids around the world attend funerals with open caskets.

Teddletoddle · 19/09/2022 08:31

The late Queen attended her grandfather's funeral, King George V at the age of nine. There is film footage of her at the funeral.

Twizbe · 19/09/2022 08:32

They are only processing in from the abbey.

They attended the DoE's memorial so know what it might be like. They've obviously made this choice as a family and they know the children better than us.

Motorina · 19/09/2022 08:36

I wasn't allowed to go to my Grandfather's funeral at a similar age. I'm still angry about that, to be honest.

CallMeLinda · 19/09/2022 08:45

I think it's perfect fine for them to attend a funeral. It's their parents decision. I assume Louis won't be (again, their decision).
Thousands of children ride in funeral processions across the UK every year.
Non event.

properdoughnut · 19/09/2022 08:47

Motorina · 19/09/2022 08:36

I wasn't allowed to go to my Grandfather's funeral at a similar age. I'm still angry about that, to be honest.

Yes I'm sure they discussed it