Queen Elizabeth II has died

[Spotted Horses]

Not sure I consider it any more grotesque than a garden-variety wake. After Lincoln's assassination, his remains traveled around the country to give citizens an opportunity to bid him farewell. I suppose television made that unnecessary in Reagan's case, although it would not surprise me if people traveled to DC to "see him off" as it were.

I'd say a garden variety wake is pretty grotesque. I don't know what is done in other parts of the world, but the embalming process used in the U.S. basically turns the remains of the deceased into toxic waste. The sane thing to do is to bury the remains immediately in a manner which allows them to return to the natural world, not to remain in a box without decomposing. Cremation also seems sensible, except for the greenhouse gases.

[Karl Henning]

Fanatical republicanism believes republic to be an international one-size-fits-all form of government but I doubt that even the most fanatical British monarchist thinks that the US should become a kingdom ....

No it's the white grievance Christian Nationalists here in the United States who want that.

[Karl Henning]

I'd say a garden variety wake is pretty grotesque. I don't know what is done in other parts of the world, but the embalming process used in the U.S. basically turns the remains of the deceased into toxic waste. The sane thing to do is to bury the remains immediately in a manner which allows them to return to the natural world, not to remain in a box without decomposing. Cremation also seems sensible, except for the greenhouse gases.

I'll sign on with all that.

[vandermolen]

Nah!! The funeral was great TV.  Tradition is a delightful if irrational think.  That said, the funeral of Charles III is likely to be trimmed down considerably.

In Elizabeth II's case it was fortuitous that she died in Scotland and is a good thing from a certain POV.  That's because it was a chance to reinforce the connection of the monarchy, and hence the UK, in Scotland where independence is a popular idea ... and independence is popular as much because Scottish politics is much more left-leaning than is England's than for any other reason.

Incidentally I believe that current, pro-independence Scottish First Minister is in favor of retaining current British monarch as monarch of Scotland ... very sensible IMHO.

That's my understanding. I wondered if the Queen's passing in Scotland was a bit of a 'tactical death' to reinforce the union, but the fact is that she loved Balmoral and always spent as much time there as possible in the summer months.

[SimonNZ]

Does anyone know what the brass band was playing during the long final procession?

Googling seems to bring up conflicting information.

[vandermolen]

Does anyone know what the brass band was playing during the long final procession?

Googling seems to bring up conflicting information.

This?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF71TKKgcwY

[SimonNZ]

Thanks.

So its called Beethoven, but its not really Beethoven. I think that's the part that was confusing me.

[vandermolen]

My pleasure. I asked a similar question (see Beethoven thread), and the other Jeffrey (JBS) very kindly alerted me to this article which clarified the situation:

https://amp.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/walch-funeral-march-royal-family-remembrance-sunday/

[Irons]

Maybe it shows me up in a bad light but I'm loving the Queue PR disaster of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Serves them right.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11234347/Petition-axe-Holly-Phil-queue-jump-row-passes-37-000-Dominos-troll-them.html

Never been David Beckham's greatest fan, but I am now. Disgrace that MP's were allotted four passes to swerve the Queue and pay respects. When a MP offered one to Beckham he declined as his late grandad "would not approve". Instead he joined the Queue at 2am and lined up with everyone else.

[bhodges]

Watching some of the service at Washington National Cathedral, mostly because the daughter of some friends is in the choir. Have to say, between the organists, U.S. Marine Band, and the chorus, the music is quite nice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgJz0FVaLXc

--Bruce

[vandermolen]

Maybe it shows me up in a bad light but I'm loving the Queue PR disaster of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Serves them right.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11234347/Petition-axe-Holly-Phil-queue-jump-row-passes-37-000-Dominos-troll-them.html

Never been David Beckham's greatest fan, but I am now. Disgrace that MP's were allotted four passes to swerve the Queue and pay respects. When a MP offered one to Beckham he declined as his late grandad "would not approve". Instead he joined the Queue at 2am and lined up with everyone else.

Yes Lol, I'm also enjoying the schadenfreude of the Holly and Phillip PR fiasco - so you are not alone 

[Papy Oli]

Journalists!! ..them two ?? 

[vandermolen]

Journalists!! ..them two ?? 

The problem is the lying as much as anything else. After being there they were filmed saying that it was one of 'the most profound moments' of their lives and then, when it all kicked-off on social media, stated that they were just there for their job and not 'paying respect' to HM.
I noticed that Susanna Reid of 'Good Morning Britain' queued up with her mother for hours, like almost everyone else.

[pjme]

I saw only a few short fragments of the funeral.
I discovered by chance that this was played. Haunting.

https://www.youtube.com/v/7YGl162hcXM

[Irons]

The problem is the lying as much as anything else. After being there they were filmed saying that it was one of 'the most profound moments' of their lives and then, when it all kicked-off on social media, stated that they were just there for their job and not 'paying respect' to HM.
I noticed that Susanna Reid of 'Good Morning Britain' queued up with her mother for hours, like almost everyone else.

Yes Jeffrey, fair play to Susanna Reid. People were queuing on crutches, walking sticks and even I read some blind. It's the hypocrisy that does my head in, Holly Willoughby sets herself up as the quintessential English rose and earned a fortune. The mask has slipped and she knows it.
Apparently neither saw the funny side of a social media post directed at Schofield -

www.wejumpanyqueue.com 

[vandermolen]

Yes Jeffrey, fair play to Susanna Reid. People were queuing on crutches, walking sticks and even I read some blind. It's the hypocrisy that does my head in, Holly Willoughby sets herself up as the quintessential English rose and earned a fortune. The mask has slipped and she knows it.
Apparently neither saw the funny side of a social media post directed at Schofield -

www.wejumpanyqueue.com 

Yes Lol, it's the dispiriting hypocrisy which stands out most. They strike me as a rather shallow and vacuous pair. As you rightly say, the mask has slipped revealing a less than pleasant reality. Their spurious denials - a reflection of Johnsonian excuses.

I enjoyed the Domino Pizza tweet (below):
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/sep/22/can-phillip-schofield-and-holly-willoughby-recover-from-queens-queue-fallout

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I saw only a few short fragments of the funeral.
I discovered by chance that this was played. Haunting.

https://www.youtube.com/v/7YGl162hcXM

I know that the tune that was played was called "Sleep, dearie, sleep".  I don't know whether or not this is the same one but by another name as you have linked to?  And, yes, it was haunting.  Believe that it was the same tune played (and in the same way) as at Philip's funeral.  Very moving--particularly with the piper walking away whilst still playing. 

PD

[vandermolen]

I know that the tune that was played was called "Sleep, dearie, sleep".  I don't know whether or not this is the same one but by another name as you have linked to?  And, yes, it was haunting.  Believe that it was the same tune played (and in the same way) as at Philip's funeral.  Very moving--particularly with the piper walking away whilst still playing. 

PD

Yes PD, the bagpipes, with the piper then walking away, really did it for me.
I gather that it was the same man who played outside the Queen's window at Windsor early in the morning whenever HM was in residence. He played for 15 minutes and then after a short break (like a 'snooze' function) played for another 15 minutes.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/19/uk/queen-piper-funeral-westminster-gbr-intl-scli/index.html#:~:text=Among%20the%20thousands%20of%20tributes,piper%20between%202015%20and%202019.

[pjme]

The Skye boat song was played by multiple pipers during the procession to Buckingham castle.

[vandermolen]

The Skye boat song was played by multiple pipers during the procession to Buckingham castle.

Do you mean Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle?