The End of an Era
Observing the Queen’s hearse after a nearly five hour wait in Hyde Park.
It’s the day we all knew was inevitable, and yet we never believed would truly come. The passing of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. With a reign spanning seventy years she is the only monarch that most people remember, someone who’s been a constant throughout our lives in a world that has seen unprecedented change since 1952. It’s always strange to think that her first Prime Minister was none other than Winston Churchill. And it still feels strange that we will be singing God Save the King from now on and likely for the rest of most of our lives with William and George following King Charles III.
My photograph of the Queen and other royals on the balcony for the flyover after her final Trooping the Colour for her Platinum Jubilee.
The day after her passing there were reminders everywhere of this sad and momentous occasion.
A mourner writes their tribute outside of Green Park Station.
Queuing to lay down flowers and pay respects outside the gates of Buckingham Palace.
It wasn’t that long ago that we were all celebrating her Platinum Jubilee earlier in the year, but although she was able to participate in some of the celebrations it was quite clear that she was slowing down and that final photo of her at Balmoral swearing in Liz truss as Prime Minister just two days before she died showed how frail she had become. But I think that will be an enduring image of her, doing her duty until the last. Certainly, an example we can all follow.
When the heavens opened the umbrellas came out, but it didn’t slow things down.
The tributes piled up as more and more people came.
Thousands of people stood in an around the Queen Victoria Memorial, waiting to see if anything or anyone would arrive.
Personally, I’d always regretted not being home when she came to visit Hitchin, the town I grew up in, for her Diamond Jubilee a decade ago. There is actually a local connection as her mother’s family home is in the nearby St Paul’s Warden Bury. So, I was extra determined to try and see her this year as I knew it would be my final chance. Thankfully I did manage to take the photo of her and the other members of the royal family on the balcony after Trooping the Colour which you saw in that previous blog.
Fittingly someone brought their Corgis to Buckingham Palace.
Two young mourners pay their respects amongst a sea of flowers.
Hyde Park saw a ninety six round gun salute. One for every year of her life.
I just missed King Charles III arriving at Buckingham Palace for the first time as King. Notice the Union Flag at half mast had been replaced by the Royal Standard to signify his presence.
During the period of mourning, I went to London twice to pay my respects, on the day after at Buckingham Palace and then at Hyde Park for the day of the funeral itself. For the latter I waited the best part of five hours to get a five second front row view of the hearse, but the image of the crown jewels sitting on top of the flagged draped coffin will live with me until the day I die. Seeing the Queen off on her journey to Windsor as she left London for the last time was special, and doubly so for sharing it with so many other people who also waited patiently for the moment. Chatting away for hours with something deeply in common.
On the day of the funeral their were more tributes everywhere you went.
Arriving around 8am, Hyde Park was very empty with plenty of space to grab a front row spot.
Unfortunately I decided to try my luck at Green Park, only to arrive as the surplus crowds spilled out and were re-directed to Hyde Park. Thankfully I managed to get back in and get a good spot further up.
More and more people lined up along the route the hearse would take to Windsor.
Some people were able to watch the funeral service at Westminster Abbey on their phones.
Now the time has come again when we have a King and all the tangible changes that come with that. It won’t be long until we have all new stamps and money, see new post-boxes with CIIIR instead of EIIR, as well as the numerous uniforms of army & police that will need updating. It won’t all happen overnight, but I think we will really see the stark difference when Charles is crowned in the not-too-distant future. Despite the many doubts people has about him becoming King, he seems to have done well to win people over through his initial address to the nation and greeting the crowds who’d come to mourn his dear mama. Hopefully he continues to surprise people. God save the King.
As we were next to Hyde Park Barracks we saw two regiments go by, the first being the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
The second was the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
They were pulling the canons that would be used later for the gun salutes.
The crowds fizzed with excitement as they moment of truth finally arrived.
After hours of patiently waiting the hearse and its convoy went passed.
It was incredible seeing the crown jewels atop the flag draped coffin. Something I will never forget.
The hearse as it passed me by.
Princess Anne followed behind in another car as she accompanied her mother on her final journey.
And then as quickly as they came they were away, the Queen leaving London for one final time.
The return of the King’s Troop following the end of the funeral procession.
A young boy eagerly awaits the return of the Household Cavalry.
They arrived not long after as the last thing of interest to see along the route.
The state drummer and trumpeter in their splendid golden uniforms bring up the rear.
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