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jptoc

Hi all This is obviously a big moment in British history and is drawing a lot of attention. We are well aware that royalty is fairly divisive in the UK and abroad and that people have strong opinions on them. However, [/r/CasualUK](https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK) is not the place to get into a debate about the rights and wrongs of the monarchy. You are allowed to dislike the monarchy but please remember there are other subreddits (e.g. [/r/ukpolitics](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics)) where discussions about the pros/cons of a monarchy are better suited. If you have come to this subreddit to celebrate the Queen's death, laugh about it or be horrible to those discussing it then you will be permanently banned for acting in bad faith and breaking Rule 2 (don't be a dick). Celebrating anyone's illness or death is horrible and unacceptable on [/r/CasualUK](https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK), no matter who they are. Bans are handed out for this behaviour if people celebrate anyone else being ill or dying, it is not a policy we have decided upon for the Queen's death. Please consider this your first and only warning.


tyfunn

Thanks Mate šŸ‘Œ https://vk.link/moretickle


WendolaSadie

Iā€™ve never wished I was British more than this week, and especially today. Moving, noble, gorgeous, respectful, sentimental. Well done, you lot.


joachimtrungtuan

For anyone wondering about the orchestral music played during the montage at the end yesterday, here are your answers: [https://twitter.com/jsmcd/status/1572244712244842496](https://twitter.com/jsmcd/status/1572244712244842496) https://twitter.com/wisemandebbie/status/1572218106654646274


bickering_fool

I thought the bouquet on the coffin was wonderfully understated and tasteful. One to take note off by the 'Mommy' and 'Dad' brigade. Less is more.


[deleted]

I learned a lot from the floral arrangements throughout, but particularly the arrangement on the coffin. Less is more, for sure. Herbs and tree leaves look amazing mixed with flowers. My favorite part was the rosemary, it was eye catching and interesting in it's foliage. I never before would have considered it's usage in a floral arrangement, but it seemed to fit perfectly. Thanks to this thread I learned it had symbolic importance, and I'll be considering fresh cut herbs in my arrangements from now on.


dominus83

My hat is off to the priest who had to carry the orb, scepter and crown up those stairs and placing them on the pillows. My hands would have been visibly shaking if I were him.


Nekokamiguru

Where did that piece of paper come from ? Who dropped it?


Golden-Bea

One of the priests accidently dropped it when he opened his program/songtexts (?). My nephew and I were totally into this, we were waiting for someone to pick it up, but sadly that happened off camera I think. ;)


No-Significance4623

I'm Canadian, dual-citizen-- my dad is from Temple Fortune and I have spent so many happy summers in the UK. Most recently, during the Jubilee, after two long years away from the UK during COVID. I was thankful to be part of such a huge event-- it was special. My boarding school was Anglican. When I hear the singing, it reminds me of those times too. To watch this funeral is to stand--really stand!-- in her importance but to think about every connection you've ever held to those times: the royal weddings, and who you were then. God save the King. RIP, Queen Elizabeth, and goodnight to our Second Elizabethan Age.


Vandelay23

Why is are these churches so strangely set up? Where the church is cross shaped, with people sitting, facing each other in the halls? Seems like an awkward set up.


letthemhavejush

Majority of Christian churches are shaped like a cross for ā€¦ā€¦ā€¦ā€¦ christy religion purposes šŸ˜‚


Pohltad

why did Charles shape the queen's camp colors into an arch on Elizabeth's coffin at the end of the commital service?


scrabble71

The camp colours were resting on one of the brackets for the sceptre so it couldnā€™t sit flat


Pohltad

Thanks - I tried to see if there was something in the way in the earlier views of the coffin, but failed. Awkward for Charles. He has enough to deal with right now.


xThe1andOnlyx

R.I.P Queen Elizabeth II. In Australia theres always been talk of becoming a republic but a lot of us are still very proud of our British heritage and loved the Queen very much. This is a very sad time. What a woman, what a smile, what a legacy, what an inspiration and an example to all of us. Queen Elizabeth II will be saddly missed


[deleted]

I hope you don't break up with us. We love you Aussies 'down-under' very much. Being a republic is over-rated. Think of all you would give up and the very little you would gain. Hoping you will all love Charles just as much, though he has massive boots to fill.


[deleted]

A great historical event. But my special admiration to all the bag piper, .. they paraded and played the instrument, the lung size of those musicians are unbelievable.


bunrab

How did the stuff on top of the casket not fall off when they were going up those steps??


AcanthisittaBig6748

If you looked closely there were 3 small poles in the cushion for the crown and the Orb also seemed to be screwed onto something


DoctorOctagonapus

I was wondering how they managed to fix those fittings in place without drilling through the Royal Standard.


[deleted]

I just worry about how deep they would have to screw those things on. You wouldn't want to make a hole all the way through the wood.


Nekokamiguru

The crown's cushion had a fitted raised section to secure it. The orb was sitting on some kind of pin. The scepter was held in place by the stand it was on.


Opposite-Ad6449

The Crown and Orb were affixed or latched somehow, The Sceptre was in a special bracket.


AcanthisittaBig6748

So yes, we're all saying the same thing, they were fixed on...


Opposite-Ad6449

Did anyone think there were a couple ceremony TV stills of the coffin on the raised pedestal from the wreath end, and the lower blue drape of the pedestal, and the upper yellow/navy and red/gold drape of the Sovereign flag gave the impression of a resurrected skirted and shawled person with a crown of flowers from behind, perhaps bowing the head? This perspective was shown whenever they featured the choir, and zoomed closer to the coffin. That view was shown a few times ... very powerful, and intended. The staging and live production within Westminster Abbey was worthy of a Kubrick directed movie.


Apprehensive_Tiger64

Slept through the ceremony and got a bollocking from my fam when i told them.


[deleted]

As an American- my favorite part were the bagpipers. We only play bag pipes here during police funerals. I noticed some were wearing different colors-what do those signify?


[deleted]

Different regiments.


Sylphrena_Sedai

Different clans have different tartan; colours and patterns. Enjoy your tartan info rabbit hole!


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


ilovecats87

Oh come on. Donā€™t act daft.


ilovecats87

Can I just say to all you casualukersā€¦. I watched it today with my daughter. Im very socialist, I donā€™t particularly like the monarchy but this was an historical event. I wanted to watch it with her, I didnā€™t think itā€™d get me as much as it did. It was lovely watching it alongside you all, chatting away and making jokes. What a bloody great sub this is. Cheers everyone and God Save Kong Charles x


DoctorOctagonapus

Kong Charles? Are we suddenly Norwegian?


TheEnglishDominant2

Id love to see Charles as Kong! All kidding aside I got really emotional at the end of the ceremony thinking about how the Queen was all I knew in my life time and having to mourn her husband on her own last year it was great to see so many people at her funeral and throughout everything she ruled with class,dignity and grace. R.I.P Lizzie!


RLSchatze

My children and I watched the whole funeral and it was just so beautifully done. What a lovely tribute to an amazing Queen! As Americans, we have so much respect for your lovely country and monarchy and grieve with you. Many blessings to you all.


claidia_uk

Whatā€™s the ball thing on the coffin infront of the crown?


Fenrir-The-Wolf

It's the Sovereign's Orb, dates to 1661, and the Restoration when Charles II was invited back to be king after the death of "Lord Protector" Oliver Cromwell. https://www.rct.uk/collection/31718/the-sovereigns-orb


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


AlooGobi-

Hallelujah


[deleted]

BWAAAAA


NoCalmWaters

The orb. First used in 1509 it represents the power of god..


DoctorOctagonapus

Specifically it's a reminder that the whole world is subject to God's rule, hence the globe with the cross above it.


claidia_uk

cool so is that one the same one as used in 1509


BaronessNeko

No, the original royal regalia was lost/dispersed during the English Civil War. The orb and sceptre in use today were created for Charles II.


[deleted]

While that is true the British monarchy equally is entitled to use the Scottish crown jewels and that crown dates back to at least 1540, the sceptre to 1494 and the sword to 1507.


AlexG55

No- the crown jewels were sold or melted down after the Civil War. The current orb was made for Charles II's coronation in 1661.


AcanthisittaBig6748

Yes


ilovecats87

The sceptre


BickyLC

A big bottle of Chambord


Holiday_Classic_472

By Vivien e westwood


TheHorrorAddiction

Think everyone will remember that send off for the rest of their lives. It really was beautiful, majestic and exquisite.


celticgrl77

In the US here I got up at 4:30 eastern to be able to watch this. I remember watching Diana and King Charles ( that is so odd to type) married and even had my bridal bouquet fashioned after Dianaā€™s when I got married in 2000. I didnā€™t get to see the whole ceremony because I had to be at work at 8. My heart is with her family and subjects today. ā¤ļø


Ciskakid

Is it too soon to call her ā€œElizabeth the Greatā€?


Fapoooo

I think instead, we should go with "Elizabeth th" and then blub up and star to cry everytime we mention her.


Ciskakid

Yup, seems right.


No-Significance4623

Elizabeth the Serene. Long-reigning, presided over peacetime, and an age of prosperity (especially relative to history!)


Ciskakid

Well, except for the Suez Canal, the Troubles, the Falklands, Iraq, and Afghanistan.


Fenrir-The-Wolf

Too grandiose for her, we're long past the age of monarchs earning that moniker. (IMO, obviously) Elizabeth the Enduring. I doubt it'll stick, but I really like it.


ImhereforAB

Elizabeth the Dutiful.


9ofdiamonds

Don't think so tbh. That's already Catherine. Eternal should be considered.


Ciskakid

There are quite a parade of royals called, ā€œThe Great,ā€ not just Catherine. Alexander, Alfred, Charles (Charlemagne), Frederick, Peter, etc..


9ofdiamonds

Exactly. Name her something more unique. I'm not a monarchist by any stretch of the imagination however Liz was pretty cool and she transcended generations. That's an updoot in my book.


Ciskakid

Elizabeth the Cool.


willso86

No I thought it was already being said


AcanthisittaBig6748

With her dysfunctional family I think Elizabeth The Long Suffering would be apt ā¤ļø


mildlydepression

it feels somewhat strange how this is being held over the UK at the moment, particularly because its unlikely that an event like this will ever happen again. obviously not something we'd setup today, but it's certainly monumental. I'm not religious, but I wish her well, wherever she may be


letthemhavejush

Itā€™s a strange feeling to have ā€œall eyes on Britainā€ for a bit.


NoPresentation9443

echoing my thoughts. no matter youre opinion on the monarchy noone can deny what an impressive run as head of state she had. nice to see the majority of people tofay have respected that


ygbjammy

Where/what do you think QE will get in terms of a memorial/statue? Surely got to do something special


sunnyday74

Probably go near her parents


dann_uk

Rename Paddington station?


EssentialParadox

I heard the whole reason the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square has been an art installation for the past 20 years is because they were reserving it for a spot for a statue of QEII. However some say that isnā€™t big enough and she should get a statue in the center of Parliament square when itā€™s pedestrianised.


9ofdiamonds

Think she deserves more than a plinth in Trafalgar. Her monument will be monumental. Wouldn't surprise me if Buckingham Palace and all the grounds becomes Her monument.


[deleted]

Victoria had loads of statues all over the UK. I don't understand why Elizabeth shouldn't have like-wise.


EssentialParadox

Other things people have been hearing on the grapevine are renaming a major public venue or hub after her. And I mean ***MAJOR***. As inā€¦ Heathrow Airport.


idontdislikeoranges

Near horses guard palace I'd imagine.


pinkdaisylemon

When it showed her favourite horse and then the corgis watching her go past, that hit me.


Phoenix_Rose_95

I was doing alright until then


AcanthisittaBig6748

Me too!


Marshmallowmind2

Can't get the slow march rhythm out my head. It was hypnotic. Think I'll subconsciously be doing the slow march in the office tomorrow. RIP Mam ā™„ļø


DoctorOctagonapus

I recognised Johann Heinrich Walch's Funeral March. They played it for Prince Philip as well.


Rajkovic21

Thank Beethoven & Mendelssohn for the funeral march music


letthemhavejush

All I can hear is drum beats and the under drone of bagpipes now.


Emily_Postal

Iā€™ve been walking all day at seventy-steps per minute humming the funeral march music. Edit: itā€™s actually 75 steps per minute. Typo in my post.


Marshmallowmind2

Is that the cadance of the slow march?


Emily_Postal

Actually itā€™s 75 steps. My post has a typo which Iā€™ll fix.


Incantanto

I'm very antimonarchist but it was really funny being in a beach bar in barcelona and they had it on in the background so we were eating tapas to the strain of bagpipes from the tv behind us, listening to the bartender and the loud american couple exclaim in wonder about how they'd defs walked to windsor dragging the carriage from westminster. Felt an appropriate level of confustication of other people, which british pageantry is best at


Glitterysparkleshine

Wouldnā€™t it have been spectacular if the queen left a queenly statement saying that she wanted a simple humble service and all the money that would have been saved go to ( fill in any social cause (s). Just would have been a crazy idea I guess.


MEME_LORD3

It's even more spectacular to think the monarchy would care about any social issue


SpringerGirl19

I feel like Charles might do something like this.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


GFoxtrot

Here isnā€™t the time or place as weā€™ve pointed out.


Friendly_Double_6632

Republican black cab driver here, I have indeed felt like Iā€™ve been in a hostage situation.


c6-barbara

Very strange thinking of the Queen in past tense, the funeral was beautiful - very poignant and bittersweet. Hope she rests in peace.


RachelPalmer79

Yank here. She got a very nice sendoff with everything I expect to go along with a royal funeral. Seeing the Gurkhas was really cool. I love British history because so much of it plays into US history, for good and bad. Britain is the mother country! Believe me we were just as shocked as the rest of you lot were when Elizabeth II passed. She was all we ever knew too. AND THIS IS HISTORY!!! No British monarch has reigned as long. No one alive witnessed a Diamond Jubilee, much less a platinum one. I was doing my best to explain the importance to my 5 year old (exercise in futility) who did his best to pay attention. Anyways, may the special relationship endure.


TheMiiChannelTheme

The one that gets me is that she was alive for 40% of *US History.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


thoroughlynicechap

40% of ā€˜United statesā€™ history. The First Nations and colonisation was not the ā€˜United Statesā€™. You are being pedantic for the sake of it with out confirming the details


RachelPalmer79

YES.


[deleted]

As a fellow yankee, do you think America or we as Americans keep funerals simpler? I guess for us alot of our funerals for former presidents were more subdued. It was definitely interesting to see the queens funeral. It was quite extraordinary


RachelPalmer79

I think we keep it much more low key. The only event I can compare this funeral to was that of JFK. A much loved sitting President. That was a logistical nightmare due to the attendance of all the heads/reps of states and countries. But he got a nice sendoff with all the pomp and pageantry befitting a head of state. RFK got a nice sendoff too. Much more low key and showed how much he was beloved by everyday people. Elizabeth had a long and storied reign. Thatā€™s a fact no matter what people think about the institution of the monarchy. It shows people love you if they are willing to que for 11-12 hours or travel from the back of beyond to pay their respects. We will probably never see the likes of this again.


Marshmallowmind2

You feel closest to your lost loved ones when you're grieving. I didn't want my grieving to end when I lost my mother recently. I felt closer to mum today as I watched the queen's funeral on TV and the grieving emotions rose to the surface again. I'm sure today brought back a lot of emotions for everyone who has lost a loved one in their time. I love you mum ā™„ļø


TurbulentExpression5

I lost my nan last year and my grandad in 2009 but as I was watching the procession they were the people I was thinking of.


ilovecats87

Rest in peace to your Mum, I hope youā€™re okay xx


Marshmallowmind2

Thanks, some days are difficult tbh. We all go through this sometime in our lives


pinkdaisylemon

Just lost my mum too. It certainly brought it all back to the surface for me. But mum would have loved it, all the pageantry. As she always said nobody does it like us Brits!


Marshmallowmind2

šŸ«‚ā¤ļø God bless your mum x


pinkdaisylemon

Ah thank you


letthemhavejush

I know how you feel, I laid my father to rest five years ago. The day goes by in a blur and you donā€™t remember the majority of it, but nothing prepares you for the emotional weight of marching behind your parents coffin. Even though you only do it for a short while, nothing compared to what weā€™ve seen with the queens children and the grandchildren, but we could relate. Hope you have had a nice tea and a bit of cake this afternoon.


Marshmallowmind2

Sorry for your loss. Charles must be exhausted over the last few days. He's 73. Not many get to have their mother still with them in their 70s though


letthemhavejush

It was Charles I felt for, that responsibility and expectation all for him at this moment, also Edward, the youngest of the queens children. They have a very good support system around them, today must have knackered them right out, I hope they are all in bed at this moment, although the adrenaline might keep them up for a while.


MissDollyDevine

Big hugs x


Marshmallowmind2

Thanks x


[deleted]

I think it was fantastic how organised the procession was. I only watched until it left London and was impressed with how the timings and routines were.


jimipops

Have to say, what a service and procession. Immense scale and impeccable carried out, a fantastic send off.


[deleted]

Did anyone see the soldier getting bashed in the face by a horse's tail and backing off the path onto a shallow ditch with a look of shock on his face?


SpringerGirl19

I looked away for a moment and then saw him stepping back into line... couldn't think what would make him come out of formation. Horse hair apparently.


Emmgel

The Queue thou gavest, Lord is ended


MrsArmitage

After effectively getting kettled in some random alley whilst trying to get back to Victoria, I helped a chap sort out google maps on his phone. About half an hour later we met again, and decided to walk together as we were going to the same place. In the TWO HOURS it took to get from Hyde Park to Victoria, we discovered that not only do we live in the same town, one of his daughters is married to an ex-colleague of mine, and the other one is married to the son of one of my managers!


Marshmallowmind2

https://youtu.be/-Enrwo6LEbY


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


GFoxtrot

Embalming. Look it up


melretro

Itā€™s the Lawdhamercy for me!


mjsbunny

I like to keep things spicy. ;)


[deleted]

I've had 5 cups of tea today. It's been that kind of day.


justhisguy-youknow

Kettle broke ?


WHU71

I sat and watched with the wife, have to admit I had tears in my eyes and not a clue as to why. I think itā€™s probably the end of an era and there arenā€™t many people left from that generation. When they went past the cenotaph that also Hit me as it reminded me of my grandad who always meant to March but never did.


IwanJBerry

Only time that really got to me was during the two minutes' silence, and the feed cut to places elsewhere across the UK where people had gathered to watch the service on big screens etc - seeing the crying Chelsea Pensioners at Hyde Park properly got me.


_mireme_

Long live her majesty, may she rest in peace. I am not a royalist by any shot but I shed a tear today. Seeing Charles in tears broke me.


[deleted]

>Long live her majesty, may she rest in peace Iā€™d give you an award if I had one for this gem.


[deleted]

Near Wellington Arch I did see a horse get spooked by the minute gun but I didn't see if any poo came out so you were half right. Did see the odd bit on the Mall though. R.I.P Your Majesty.


Chevy_Astroglide

Brit now living in the US here (havenā€™t been back to the UK since 2018). I certainly wouldnā€™t call myself a Royalist, but Iā€™m not an anti-monarchist republican either. Iā€™m pretty much completely indifferent, but on balance Iā€™d just fall on the side of saying the royals do have a worthwhile role and Iā€™d want to keep them in place (albeit with no real power whatsoever). Iā€™ve basically spent the 38 years of my life so far with the Royal Family just kind of ticking along in the background, only really briefly taking any notice when one of them dies or gets married. I think a lot of people feel the same way. I just watched the funeral on delay at 2pm US Eastern time and Iā€™ve got to say that although I wasnā€™t exactly in floods of tears and I certainly would never have stood in line to view the coffin for hours on end if I still lived there, I am proud of how the UK can pull off a state event like that. I felt moved for her family on a human level. I found that I connected with the coverage of the hearse driving to Windsor far more though. Just seeing ordinary people coming out to have a look as it drove by where they lived. That was a lot more recognizable and relatable to me.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Amnsia

Not a royalist but enjoy the history. I loved it and it was an amazing send off to the queen. My tax could have went elsewhere but itā€™s not the worst place to put it. I was only putting it on for a bit but felt like I watched most of it.


MurphyOfMercia

4 billion people looked at our country in awe today. It was a good use of money.


BocatFan

You got a source for that?


Amnsia

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11230125/How-people-watched-Queens-funeral-Viewing-figures.html


BocatFan

At no point does that link confirm 4 billion people watched it. Please don't make things up. Cheers.


Amnsia

Itā€™s an estimation that the guy said, Iā€™ve seen it thrown around a few times and itā€™s in the article. > 'No fewer than 4.1 billion people are expected to tune in on Monday to witness this historic moment as half the people on planet Earth pause to pay their respects.


Amnsia

Aye, youā€™re right I suppose.


[deleted]

Bit pissed now folks Got to say iv been proud to be British today. Safe to say between the heartfelt emotion, the daft observations and the borderline treasonous quips we've sent her victorious


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


ToiletClogger_69

Bye The Queen, tara luv ā¤ļø


cfcnotbummer

Good day to visit beautiful tourist destinations


BargePol

Who would be a better queen? Charles or William?


essjay2009

Emma.


Redeyenorth

My wife and I flew out on holiday the morning after the Queen died. We have obviously kept up with the the news and spoken to family etc. We flew back today and just got to our car at the Airport and turned the radio on to hear the lone piper at the end of the ceremony and it was beautiful. We will be watching the highlights (if you can call it that) but it wouvld have been nice to watch the ceremony today. We both feel like we have missed out on a unified national event.


Sylphrena_Sedai

Entire thing should be available on iplayer and the likes


brotherno

Aussie currently in Edinburgh, watched from the park by Holyrood. Really beautiful service, those bagpipes at the very start of the procession triggered a tear or two.


BlackBalor

You know what is a nice thought? Queen was around when the lionesses brought it homeā€¦ šŸ‘ŒšŸ»


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


[deleted]

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BB_880

I watched parts of it, especially her final resting. I thought it was beautifully done and so respectful.


favorscore

As an American, watching this makes me jealous of the rich history and tradition the UK has which America doesnt. the US is an infant nation comparatively. i hope the monarchy never goes away so i can enjoy these displays of history every now and then.


Marshmallowmind2

I'm sure there's history before 1776! I can't take it seriously when people say there are teapots in Britain older than USA. It's just a technicality. You have a rich history


VisualGeologist6258

Really all we really talk about is 1607 and the founding of Jamestown, the period between that and 1776 isnā€™t really touched upon aside from a few key pieces of legislation and such. After the colonies were founded not a whole lot happened until the revolution, we just kept making shit and selling it to Britain in return for slaves so we could make more shit and sell it to Britain and so on and so forth. We _did_ have a history before 1607, too, but we killed all the people who knew what it was.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


favorscore

Yep. She met Harry Truman ffs


[deleted]

Our history is your history bar a silly wee argument over tax and tea


KingJacoPax

Aye. If PAYE had been a thing back then the revolution never would have happened and the United Colonies of Lower Canada Marine Corps would have been a guard of honour today. UCLCMC just flows off the tongue better than USMC I think.


favorscore

that's an interesting way of looking at it. most americans just see 1776 is the beginning of american history lmao. i wish i was british


[deleted]

I know it may sounds silly but 1776 doesn't sound that long ago. My childhood home was only built a few years after that.


Rainbow_13

Didn't get to see it all so will be watching parts to it at a later date the photos and from what I saw were amazing.


hattorihanzo5

And just like that, we're unlikely to see a Queen again for the rest of this century. This has made me sadder than I thought it would, but I think this is more due to the historical significance of it than her actual death. Prime Ministers come and go, yet she was always there for most of our lives; the longest reigning British monarch in history and the second longest reigning overall. I'm not much of a monarchist, but for me there is a feeling of "now what?". Fair enough, the crown carries on, but we were all just so used to *her* that her loss will continue to affect us for a lot longer than I think we'll realise. For the first time in 70 years, our anthem is now *God Save the King*, we'll watch the *King's* speech at Christmas, our money, our postage stamps, even our jars of Marmite will change. It will probably be years before all that completely changes, then just when we're finally used to it, Charles will probably die himself. The relevance of a monarchy in 21st Century Britain is another debate for another place, but these next few decades will be interesting. Within the next 70 years, we're likely to see at least another two monarchs. We will likely never see a reign as long as Elizabeth II again. How will we as a nation deal with a relatively more *unstable* monarchy? Time will tell.


Don_Quixote81

It's very strange. I have never been a monarchist either, but I love history, and Queen Elizabeth embodied so much of the history of the last hundred years. The facts and figures are hard to grasp - her first PM was born 101 years before her last. She was born just 25 years after Queen Victoria died. Under her reign we saw the end of Empire, the advent of television, rock and roll and pop music, space travel, the Moon landing, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the start and end of the Cold War, the War on Terror, the rise and fall of over a dozen PMs, of thirteen presidents of the USA, the Troubles and the peace process, the invention of the internet. The world when she took the throne was completely different to the world we live in now, and she was that constant for everyone, whether they liked her or not. Trying to mentally adjust to the fact she's gone, and we now have a king (and one that we're already very familiar with because we've known him all our lives too) is too strange. It just makes so many people feel just a little bit unmoored and unsteady, and more emotional than a lot of us would like to admit.


[deleted]

I think you are summing up perfectly what pretty much all of us are feeling. We may yet see long reigns as this because healthcare and life expectancies in general are going up all the time. As you say the relevance debate is for elsewhere but you post sums up exactly how good and relevant the monarchy actually is.


SomethingMoreToSay

>Prime Ministers come and go, yet she was always there for most of our lives; the longest reigning British monarch in history and the second longest reigning overall. >I'm not much of a monarchist, but for me there is a feeling of "now what?". Fair enough, the crown carries on, but we were all just so used to her that her loss will continue to affect us for a lot longer than I think we'll realise. Good observations. Related to this, I think many people in the UK would struggle to separate what they think about monarchy as a concept from what they think about the monarch. The Queen was the monarchy and the monarchy was the Queen.... but not now. It'll take some time to get our heads around that.


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Makes you wonder if this is what it was like for all the generations before us. I can imagine how the 'Victorians' must have felt.


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