Dhe square in front of Buckingham Palace in London fills more and more with bouquets that become a carpet, a whole sea of flowers for the late Queen. Many thousands come on Friday morning to commemorate Elizabeth II. Britain is in shock.
Thousands flocked to the palace in central London on Thursday evening when news of the 96-year-old monarch’s death struck like lightning and then spread like wildfire. Individuals wept as the flag over the palace was lowered to half-mast just after 6:30 p.m. local time. Then more and more came. They stood there in the rain, some huddled under umbrellas, others getting soaked.
“God save the Queen”, the national anthem, was heard again and again. A few men could also be heard shouting incomprehensible slogans. Dozens of people climbed the large Victoria Monument in front of the palace, waving Union Jack flags. Someone had also hung a Ukrainian flag in front of the palace. Colorful bouquets, quickly bought in supermarkets, clung to the gilded trellis that surrounds the palace.
The further process is meticulously defined
By Friday morning, countless numbers had joined them. It is the first national day of mourning, the country pauses. One commemorates a monarch who stood like a rock in the surf for a good 70 years and gave the country stability and continuity in times of rapid change.
“We loved you ma’am,” writes the “Sun” on its front page. The tenor of all British newspapers is similar: “Our hearts are broken”, writes the “Daily Mail” on the front page, the social democratic “Mirror” says a little more soberly: “Thank you”. “A life of service” honors the “Times”, the “Guardian” is content with the picture of the radiantly beautiful young queen and her dates of life: “1926 – 2022”.
Many young people who mourn also gather in front of Buckingham Palace. “She was always there,” says a visibly shaken young woman. “She was like a mother, a grandmother,” adds another. Some have tears in their eyes. A young woman named Vanessa reveals herself to be an ardent royalist. Her grandfather, a carpenter, once worked for Princess Margaret, Elizabeth’s sister, she says proudly. An American tourist says of Elisabeth: “We love her.” They speak of Charles with more distance. He’s a bit “quirky”, i.e. quirky – but also quite okay. “He will also be a good king,” believes the American.
After the Queen’s death
:
London in mourning
How things will continue after the death of the monarch has been meticulously laid down in the “Operation London Bridge” plan. At least ten days of official mourning are scheduled. On Friday at 7 p.m. German time, the new king, Charles III, Elizabeth’s eldest son, will address the nation in a televised address. Charles and his wife Camilla traveled to London this morning from Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Elizabeth died. Prince Harry, the son of the new king, was the first to leave the Scottish castle.
As the new monarch is addressed, the King’s Troops will fire a gun salute in Hyde Park. Cannons will also thunder from the Tower of London. Bells will ring from Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s and Windsor Castle. Charles III will honor his mother and pledge his faithful service to the country. On Saturday, the Accession Council meets at 11 a.m. German time, one hour later Charles is officially proclaimed king. Three trumpeters will announce it with fanfares from St James’s Palace.
The Queen’s coffin will then be transported from Balmoral to Holyrood Castle in Edinburgh, probably on Sunday. Thousands of mourners are expected along the hundred-mile route. The coffin is to be flown to London on Tuesday, and from Wednesday mourners can say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II. The coffin is laid out in Westminster Palace, followed by a procession through London. Visitors and state guests from all over the world are expected.
The state funeral is scheduled for the Monday after next, September 19. The coffin is transported to Westminster Abbey. Along the route and across the country, millions will watch the funeral – and pay their last respects to the Queen.