September 11th, 2022.
It’s now the third day following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and things are settling down. Charles has officially become Charles III following his proclamation after the accession council meeting of the Privy Council.
Away from the stifling atmosphere of the television and print media life continues in the real world. The BBC gave virtually non-stop coverage on two channels and ITV and Channel 5 were close behind in coverage with equally high professional standards. The BBC, whose standards slipped a little when Prince Philip died, was back on form, with detailed, reverential, respectful coverage without being obsequious or displaying its usual left-leaning presentations.
The Football Association postponed all soccer games for the weekend as they felt that supporters couldn’t be trusted to behave in a civilised fashion. On the day the Queen died, one hour after the announcement West Ham was playing a European game in front of 60,000 spectators. This was marked by a spontaneous rendering of the national anthem by the whole stadium in a unanimous expression of support. The cricket test between England and South Africa started on Saturday at the Oval in London and was marked by a full crowd impeccably observing a moment’s silence. Other sports such as Rugby and Rugby League went ahead without incident.
In a difficult decision, the Horse Racing authorities postponed racing on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Given her Majesty’s love of Horse Racing this was a damned if they do, damned if they don’t decision, but they wanted to do something that would be a show of respect and a thanks for the support she has given the sport as an owner and an enthusiast.
All of this comes back to the FA displaying its usual insensitivity and its inability to read the room, by postponing games when it would have been an ideal opportunity for thousands to show their respect for her Majesty.
The State funeral will take place on Monday 19th September, the culmination of 10 days of national mourning. In one of his first acts as the King, Charles III announced that the day of the funeral would be a national bank holiday.
Meanwhile, life continues, although in a slightly surreal atmosphere, as people still seem to be in a daze, not quite believing what has happened. Life carries on, but not quite how we know it. The unions which have scheduled strikes during the period of mourning have read the room well and called off the strikes. The Royal Mail and railway unions will resume their industrial action after the funeral but have had the decency to suspend their activities until then.
My local town has seen a call for a local clap for the Queen at 7 pm on Monday. We have been requested to stand on our doorsteps and clap our thanks to the Queen. This was used during Covid for the NHS workers, and somehow it doesn’t feel appropriate this time. Because everyone’s perception of Royalty is personal it would seem more appropriate to reflect her service differently and if appropriate join in the national mourning. It’s probably an age thing, but it seems too informal for the occasion as it should be not just a thanks for service but also a reflection on the constitutional matters and thoughts for the future King. Anyway, if an individual feels that is appropriate then I won’t think less of them but we all handle these things differently.
As to the future, it will be a subdued week in the office, and later this week viewing arrangements will be announced so that people can go and pay their respects in a very personal manner.
Meanwhile, King Charles hasn’t put a foot wrong so far and has exceeded everyone’s expectations on how he would handle the situation.
