a log of links, thoughts, notes and scribbles
Category: monarchy
The Coronation of King Harold in 1066 and King Charles 957 years later.
Both were crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Westminster Abbey.
Watched the Queen’s funeral today. Wow ! It was surprisingly emotional.
Wasn’t expecting to be so moved.
Loved the powerful symbolism of the service and the pageantry of the state ceremony. The funeral procession was stunning.
Standout moments for me –
2. The Royal Company of Archers, with their eagle feather plumes and ceremonial bows, escorting the royal mourners.
3. The Archbishop’s sermon on The Queen’s 1947 pledge that her life ‘shall be devoted to your service ‘.
“Rarely has such a promise been so well kept” and “those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power & privileges are forgotten“.
4. The massed pipes and drums play The Mist Covered Mountains as the coffin departs Westminster Hall.
Can’t beat the power and solemnity of the bagpipes.
5. Massed pipes and drums from Scottish and Irish regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Air Force in the procession.
6. My absolute favourite was The Royal Canadian Mounted Police – the Mounties – leading the procession.
A proud day for Canada.
Love those beautiful black horses.
7. The final procession up the long walk and into Windsor Castle.
8. The removal of the Sceptre, Orb and Crown from the coffin – the symbolic end of her reign and the passing on of the crown jewels to a new monarch.
9. the lowering of the coffin into the royal vault at Windsor Castle as the lone piper plays the lament.
The final, inevitable, goodbye.
Popped up to town to catch Trooping the Colour yesterday. Staked out a space in the crowd to take some photos. It seemed the whole world was out in London to enjoy the sun and watch the parade.
The crowd was huge and we had to jostle to keep our view. Eventually, the sound of marching bands. They marched past on their way back to Buckingham Palace followed by mounted cavalry pulling gleaming gun carriages. Ranks of immaculate troops in step to a drum. More marching bands. Then carriages of royals, waving serenly.
The Queen came passed in an open carriage accompanied by the Duke in full uniform with huge bearskin. She looked good. As they approached the crowd noticeably swelled as people waved and clapped. The man next to me raised his hand to wave and stuck his elbow right in front of my camera. I now have a blurry picture of his arm. Humph !
Almost as soon as the carriages came into view, they were gone. Following behind were the regimental colonels and crusty old generals on horseback. Cavalry officers of the old school. They sure looked the part. Hollywood couldn’t have done better.
It was an enormously impressive parade. Choreographed and planned to the samllest detail. The rule seemed to be the more gold a soldier was wearing the higher the rank. The uniforms were elaborate and finely detailed. Some soldiers looked more like pearly kings than fighting men. My favourites were the bagpipers in kilts and bonnets with green capes thrown over one shoulder. They looked like Robin Hood !
The police gradually moved the crowds to the palace gates and the royals came onto the balcony to watch the flypast. We got a good spot near the front gate. I had heard the new Eurofighter was in the flypast and particularly wanted to see it. At bang on 1.00 the first plane flew low over the crowd, followed by two Eurofighters in escort.
On the balcony, the Queen looked serene, Charles and Camilla looked very happy and, it must be said, William looked quite uncomfortable. They waved at us. We waved back and cheered. They went in and it was all over. The soldiers then marched out of the palace gates to the delight of the crowds.
We wandered down the Mall avoiding the horse shit and lunched on a hot dog in St James’ Park before walking past Parliament and up Whitehall. We saw a couple of ministers come out of the Cabinet Office. I was impressed by the way they just joined the crowd and wandered up the street. No overt bodyguards or police protection. John Prescott even cruised past in a Jag looking rather casual.
We headed to Picadilly Circus and Oxford Street for shopping. I picked up a pair of gym traniers and a few T-shirts for the summer. Nipped into the the Apple Store which was amazing. All ergonomic design, silver hardware and cool geek atmosphere. Branding at its best. Niketown on Oxford Street was another total brand experience. The peak of aspirational marketing. They do the branding thing so well.
By chance, we saw the World Naked Bike Ride as it weaved its way down Oxford Street. The cyclists were totally starkers and we all roared with laughter and surprise as they casually rode past.
We paused in John Lewis for a latte and carrot cake before wandering back down Oxford Street through Soho to Chinatown. We finished off a fabulous day with a delicious chinese. The Peking duck with plum sauce and pancakes was perfect and the deep fried squid with chilli and garlic simply divine.
I recognised someone in the restaurant, but could not place who she was. She seemed so familiar. I knew her from somewhere. But couldn’t remember where. Was it work, travelling somewhere, socially ? I don’t know. Needless to say, I didn’t wander over and say ‘who the hell are you ?’ ;o) Still can’t remember who she was… will come back to me sometime I guess !
Decided on a crafty ‘working from home’ day today.
The alarm went off at the usual time and I just thought, ‘Na, not today…’
Had the TV on in the background this morning and the State Opening of Parliament came on.
What a weird and wonderful way to announce government business !
One of the great features of the British is their almost pathological need to ritualise tradition. The State Opening of Parliament is a brilliant example of this. A wonderfully over the top gothic pantomime of State ritual and performance. Just a wee bit kitsch too.
The Queen processed in state to the Houses of Parliament in a glittering coach, flanked by ranks of household cavalry. In an elaborate ceremony with all the Crown Jewels on display, she read out a list of government bills from the throne in the House of Lords.
Only the British could still be doing this sort of thing in the 21st century ! Either the Brits or some tin-pot dictator with galloping delusions of grandeur !
Nevertheless, it’s a colourful ceremony of seemingly ancient rituals where all the symbols and offices of the constitution come together under one roof.
The Lords gather in their ermine robes and the Commons are summoned to attend in a famous door-slamming ritual played out by Black Rod. It is amazing how little things have changed in parliament over the last two centuries !
It’s a grand pageant set in elaborate 17th century costumes of wigs, breeches, tights and ruffs. Pure high camp drama. The Crown, Cap of Maintenance (the what ?!) and the Sword of State make an appearance along with officials with extravagant titles like Garter King of Arms and, a particular favourite, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant.
Interestingly the military play a part in the spectacle. In many parts of the world a military presence in Parliament, albeit ceremonial, would not be taken lightly. In Britain, it’s all part of the show.
The camp splendour of the royal procession through Parliament is quite a sight. The uniforms, gowns, robes and the Crown jewels themselves are spectacular. More Ruritanian pantomime than serious government procedure.
The Queen finally takes her place on the Throne in the House of Lords and the Commons rowdily file into the chamber. Many Labour ministers and MPs looking suitably bewildered by the occasion. The speech is a turgid list of Government business and legislation, prefaced with a regal, “My government will…”. It’s dull and no one pretends otherwise. As soon as the speech is complete, the Queen processes all the way back again and the politicians get down to the serious business of the debates.
The one thing you can’t help noticing is how undemocratic the whole thing looks. Only a third of this arrangement, the House of Commons, is elected. The rest is hereditary or appointed. Within the ceremony, the Commons are conspicuously the least prominent. During the speech MPs stand at the back of the room. You could argue that any ceremony that makes politicians stand at the back must be a good thing !
There is one element that is totally missing from the procedure. The people. Any government presentation outlining upcoming intentions and priorities should, in the modern world, be aimed at us, the electorate. Strip away the constitutional flummery and you’re left with a governing party stating what it’s going to do in the upcoming parliament. That’s important, and it should be presented to the people in a clear, unambiguous way.
It’s strange that a day of such high politics should start with an archaic royal ritual. You’ve gotta wonder how long it’ll last. Will we see a radical overhaul at the end of the current reign ? Will a forward looking King William scale it down or abolish it all together ? Probably.
OK, so it’s a bit of constitutional glitter and pomp and pageantry junkies love it. But, does it really add any value to government in the 21st century ?
Would we not be better off with a State of the Union style speech to parliament and people by the Prime Minister ?
The radio clicked on at 7.30 this morning and they were talking about what would be in the Queen’s speech later on today…..it got me thinking and I decided to jump on the tube and have a butchers at the pomp and circumstance of the State Opening of Parliament.
Got to the Houses of Parliament at 10.30ish and joined the crowds at the railings.
Loads of police on duty and the odd guardsman standing to attention.
Soon enough a marching band came past and a few carriages carrying crowns, state maces and the like….
Then down Whitehall we heard the clip-clop of massed cavalry….ranks of well-groomed horses and immaculate soldiers with shiny breastplates and feathered helmets….a very impressive sight indeed.
Then a carriage with the Queen and the Duke waving graciously and more mounted cavalry.
They passed by and went on to open parliament and read out a speech. Then they all came back again… the whole spectacle very impressive and definitely worth a look !
I took some pics and will post them when I get a chance….
So yeah... 