Death of Queen Elizabeth II - Lying-in-State, Edinburgh and London

[Mbruno]

Yeah, I'm not sure I understand the infantilization of some of the grandkids I've seen. Having lost close family members over the years, yeah. It sucks. It hurts, and sometimes you just want to lock yourself in a room and have a good cry, but you can't. All eight of them understand that while she was their grandmother, she was also The Queen, and for a moment, they'll have to compartmentalize their feelings. None of them are little kids anymore. The youngest of them would be old enough to get their learner's permit here in the US after their next birthday.

Obviously, if any of their parents thought one or more of them were not mentally or emotionally capable of doing it, they wouldn't be.

It has nothing to do with infantilization. At a vigil, you are supposed to stand still, emotionless, with your head down, in a position of attention for so many minutes. Even a 30-year-old adult might not be able to do it as many adults cry at the sight of a close relative's coffin. And knowing that the cameras of the world will be on you for the duration of the vigil only adds extra pressure. Beatrice, James, Louise and so on are not Grenadier Guards.

 

[tihkon2]

It has nothing to do with infantilization. At a vigil, you are supposed to stand still, emotionless, with your head down, in a position of attention for so many minutes. Even a 30-year-old adult might not be able to do it as many adults cry at the sight of a close relative's coffin. And knowing that the cameras of the world will be on you for the duration of the vigil only adds extra pressure. Beatrice, James, Louise and so on are not Grenadier Guards.

And I'm sure we'll see tomorrow evening that everyone will do their 15 minutes with steadfastness. I really doubt we'll see any of them run sobbing from the Hall. And if we do, well, that's fine. Life will go on.

 

[An Ard Ri]

A Chinese government delegation has been banned from attending the lying-in-state of Queen Elizabeth II as per the BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62922758

 

[Meee]

IMO my concern for James it's not about familiar with death or not. Just James always seems shy and uncomfortable when he is being in the public eyes (which could be my wrong impression). And being four, fourteen or forty it's not relevant.

And death is always not easy to deal with, no matter what kinds of death it's, no matter how old one is.

Also, Philip’s death was the first time he’d had to confront the death of a loved one (his maternal grandmother died before he was born, his maternal grandfather is still living) and Philip’s own wishes plus COVID probably shielded him. In some ways this is a first for him and there can be no greater exposure to the public eye than standing guard at your grandmother’s coffin.

I did not expect to see him after he did not publicly view the flowers at Balmoral, but he was at Westminster Hall when the coffin arrived. Perhaps he and his parents made the decision that he would take part after discussing how he felt about attending. If Louise wished to take part but he did not, they could simply have done two groups of three with William as the heir taking his place on both vigils.

Edward, Sophie and James must be aware both that Philip felt the boys would regret it if they hadn’t followed their mother’s coffin, and that Harry felt he shouldn’t have done it - and weighed up the decision on that basis.

 

[camelot23ca]

IMO my concern for James it's not about familiar with death or not. Just James always seems shy and uncomfortable when he is being in the public eyes (which could be my wrong impression). And being four, fourteen or forty it's not relevant.

And death is always not easy to deal with, no matter what kinds of death it's, no matter how old one is.

James’s parents decided to keep him out of the public eye when he was a child, as was their right, and as they did with Louise. We’ve seen more of him in the past couple of years and, to me, he looks like a normal young adolescent. He looks a little shy, somewhat awkward, and can have a bit of a deer in the headlights look about him, but these aren’t rare qualities in 14 year old boys.
He’s certainly old enough to decide what public events he’s comfortable participating in this week. I really doubt he’ll ever regret taking part in the vigil with his cousins, no matter how hard it turns out to be at the time.

 

[kyle]

"The Queen's other grandchildren will be wearing morning coats and dark formal dress with decorations, the royal source said." This is from CNN.

I hope this means family orders!!!

 

[HRHHermione]

"The Queen's other grandchildren will be wearing morning coats and dark formal dress with decorations, the royal source said." This is from CNN.

I hope this means family orders!!!

I had the same thought. It would be lovely to know if Zara, Beatrice, Eugenie and Louise have them.

 

[tommy100]

I think there is a difference between choosing not to attend royal events when you don't want to and not taking part in something ceremonial that is part fo your grandmother's funeral. Edward and Sophie have protected both James and Louise as children and once they got older allowed them to be seen and do more - I think maybe Louise enjoys this more than her brother (or feels more comfortable doing it) whereas James still doesn't want to attend things by choice. He seemed fine at the jubilee events and the few other things we've seen him at but I think by choice he doesn't "go" for all that royal stuff. This is obviously different - it is honouring his grandmother.

As for getting upset etc, all the clips from Westminster Hall when the coffin was moved to the lying in state, and indeed the clips from the accession council made a point of stating the restrictions included -"Use must be solemn and dignified and no members of the extended Royal Family may be shown showing visible signs of distress."

It seems from the pictures we saw that maybe the same isn't true of still photographers but it does seem that there is an agreement that wider members of the RF won't be shown if they are getting very upset.

I'd love to see the grand daughters in royal family orders.

 

[Sister Morphine]

David Beckham stood in line for 12 hours to pay his respects to QEII. He could have easily pulled the celebrity card and jumped the line, but he didn't.

 

[tihkon2]

David Beckham stood in line for 12 hours to pay his respects to QEII. He could have easily pulled the celebrity card and jumped the line, but he didn't.

Excellent. Good man.

 

[Sister Morphine]

The Vigil of the Children, as it's being called, has begun. It looks like Charles and Andrew are in naval uniform, maybe Edward as well. I don't know what branch Anne is wearing.

 

[crm2317]

Zara and Mike Tindall are there with their daughters, as is Peter Phillips and his daughters.

Many other members of the extended family are also in attendance this evening.

 

[Alison H]

Lots of the cousins there, even the young children.

 

[Sunnystar]

Zara and Mike Tindall are there with their daughters, as is Peter Phillips and his daughters.

Many other members of the extended family are also in attendance this evening.

Yes - I saw the following people when the camera panned across them:

Camilla; Tim Laurence; Sophie, Louise & James Wessex; Zara, Mike, Mia & Lena Tindall; Eugenie & Jack Brooksbank; Beatrice & Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi; Duke & Duchess of Gloucester; Duke of Kent; Peter, Savannah & Isla Phillips; and a lot of Gloucester & Kent cousins I don't recognize by sight. I think I caught a glimpse of Prince Michael of Kent but the camera moved away before I was positive.

 

[Stefan]

Yes - I saw the following people when the camera panned across them:

Camilla; Tim Laurence; Sophie, Louise & James Wessex; Zara, Mike, Mia & Lena Tindall; Eugenie & Jack Brooksbank; Beatrice & Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi; Duke & Duchess of Gloucester; Duke of Kent; Peter, Savannah & Isla Phillips; and a lot of Gloucester & Kent cousins I don't recognize by sight. I think I caught a glimpse of Prince Michael of Kent but the camera moved away before I was positive.

Could spot Lady Rose with her husband and children

 

[Sister Morphine]

Princess Alexandra was there as well, she was standing next to her brother.

 

[tihkon2]

Yes, Prince Michael was there and also, Princess Michael, who was seated to the side of him. She has problems with her legs I believe. She was mostly missed by the cameras except one time. Also Lady Helen Taylor with Tim ,and her children were there.

 

[Sister Morphine]

Another note about David Beckham; he was offered a pass to jump the line, but he refused and said that he chose to wear a suit to honor his grandfather, who was a staunch royalist. Kudos to him for not doing what a lot of other celebrities have done so far.

 

[Sunnystar]

I will say, with the way Lena was fidgeting and leaning over the wall, I can't see her attending the funeral on Monday. The older grandchildren did fine, but I'm thinking this might have been a test to see how she could handle a longer event.

 

[Tirilschatz]

I also saw James and Julia Ogilvy and next to her probably their daughter Flora, but it could also have been Zenouska. Not sure since the camera did not zoom in.

 

[Sister Morphine]

I will say, with the way Lena was fidgeting and leaning over the wall, I can't see her attending the funeral on Monday. The older grandchildren did fine, but I'm thinking this might have been a test to see how she could handle a longer event.

Yeah, I saw Zara talking to her several times to get her to settle down. Church is tedious even for adults, and it's made worse for children if it's a long service, like a wedding or a funeral. Leave the little ones at home with a nanny.

 

[iceflower]

A video of the vigil this evening and an article with photos:


** dailymail article **

 

[Lemon Lyman]

Yeah, I saw Zara talking to her several times to get her to settle down. Church is tedious even for adults, and it's made worse for children if it's a long service, like a wedding or a funeral. Leave the little ones at home with a nanny.

Yep at one point she was on the floor. Princess Alexandra’s face! I don’t think they will be there on Monday.

 

[sophie25]

Spotted Lord and Lady Frederick with their girls as well, noticed Maud initially and then Isabella as the family left afterwards. Lady Gabriella was behind them with her husband too so she must be OK now. I think at least George and Charlotte will attend tomorrow as it would be a bit odd if all those other children saw the Queen lying in State and they did not. I felt it was strange though that every child of the Queen had their own children observe this historic event tonight except for the King himself.

 

[Duchess of Durham]

Spotted Lord and Lady Frederick with their girls as well, noticed Maud initially and then Isabella as the family left afterwards. Lady Gabriella was behind them with her husband too so she must be OK now. I think at least George and Charlotte will attend tomorrow as it would be a bit odd if all those other children saw the Queen lying in State and they did not. I felt it was strange though that every child of the Queen had their own children observe this historic event tonight except for the King himself.

This makes me sad. The POW and POW had function today, perhaps that is why they weren't there. But why weren't Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

 

[Saragli]

I also found it strange the Wales's and Sussex's weren't there tonight. But it was a beautiful vigil and glad so many family members were there.

 

[TLLK]

I also found it strange the Wales's and Sussex's weren't there tonight. But it was a beautiful vigil and glad so many family members were there.

I believe the Wales were not present due to their engagement visiting the Commonwealth Troops.

 

[Somebody]

It has nothing to do with infantilization. At a vigil, you are supposed to stand still, emotionless, with your head down, in a position of attention for so many minutes. Even a 30-year-old adult might not be able to do it as many adults cry at the sight of a close relative's coffin. And knowing that the cameras of the world will be on you for the duration of the vigil only adds extra pressure. Beatrice, James, Louise and so on are not Grenadier Guards.

What side are the cameras on? I suppose the head (and a bit from the side) - so that would mean that mainly William and either Zara and Peter will be in full sight most of the time. I am sure they can handle that. It makes sense to put Louise on the more visible sight (from the main press cameras) and James on the less visible side. Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie will be only less visible except for when they arrive and leave.

 

[RoyalHighness 2002]

I thought it was important to note that the vigil tomorrow is likely the last time the grandchildren will all do something on an equal footing. Their relatively similar ranking as grandchildren of the monarch has passed and we shall see what lies ahead under Charles' reign.

 

[Lemon Lyman]

Spotted Lord and Lady Frederick with their girls as well, noticed Maud initially and then Isabella as the family left afterwards. Lady Gabriella was behind them with her husband too so she must be OK now. I think at least George and Charlotte will attend tomorrow as it would be a bit odd if all those other children saw the Queen lying in State and they did not. I felt it was strange though that every child of the Queen had their own children observe this historic event tonight except for the King himself.

They have already said it will just be the grandchildren tomorrow not even the spouses will be there.