It’s been a day of intense emotion and high drama amidst the extraordinary tradition that saw Queen Elizabeth II leave her London home at Buckingham Palace for the final time to lie in state at Westminster Hall.
Hundreds of thousands packed the streets of the British capital to pay tribute with many breaking tradition to offer a respectful applause to the Queen Elizabeth II.
Many tens of thousands more – waiting in winding queues of up to 30 hours – have already streamed past the coffin to pay their last respects.
And, while there were a handful of republican protestors who very strangely decided to demonstrate a funeral procession, the country remains largely united in a respectful grief for the woman who I believe was our greatest ever monarch.
Dan Wootton
GB News
But, of course, there was high drama too.
William and Harry reunited to walk side by side in the procession, temporarily agreeing to forget their bitter feud that has torn their family apart the past three years.
It was significant progress since the funeral of Prince Philip last year, when their cousin Peter Philips had to be positioned between the once close brothers.
But how sad Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t able to see the moment of unity when she was alive thanks to the intransigence and immaturity of the Sussexes, who only last week were briefing they didn’t want to see any member of the Royal Family on their trip to the UK.
Harry and royal outcast Prince Andrew – who avoided any public heckling, unlike in Scotland – were controversially both in morning suits, not military uniform.
That’s despite a growing public debate over whether Harry should also be given an exception to wear his uniform if his disgraced uncle will be given the same privilege, as has been reported.
And, in a sign that King Charles III will soon face the most intense pressure as the official mourning period ends, there is growing outrage over the fact that Prince Andrew remains one of the new monarch’s official Counsellors of State, while ancient laws mean his well-regarded sister Princess Anne is excluded.
But for today, the monarchy put its best foot forward to honour Queen Elizabeth the Great, following the traditions and protocols she held so dear.
