Queen Elizabeth II

[Hell Razor5543]

The second Elizabethan Era has just ended. Queen Elizabeth II reigned for longer than I have been alive (indeed, for longer than most of the population of Great Britain have lived). She was an anchor in Life, somebody who not only provided a link to the past history of Great Britain, but a light towards the future. Although I never got to meet her, I was reasonably close on several occasions, at Royal Ascot.

The Queen is dead; Long live the King.

All of the photographs are my own work

[Paul-R]

RIP HM Queen Elizabeth II

Long live King Charles III

[NewcastleFalcon]

I think she enjoyed herself doing this...



REgards Neil

[myglaren]

[Gibbo2286]

That's how I remember her, there was another photo of her changing a wheel.

[SwissTony]

Ihre letzte Reise ist in einem deutschen Auto! Wie passend für ein Saxe-Coburg!

BBC gestohlen

[Hell Razor5543]

According to Prince Edward nobody in the Royal Family was in on this 'stunt'. He recalls wondering WHO would be playing The Queen when he saw this as it 'happened'! Apparently, when the idea was put forward to her, SHE wanted to play the role!

[mickthemaverick]

According to Prince Edward nobody in the Royal Family was in on this 'stunt'. He recalls wondering WHO would be playing The Queen when he saw this as it 'happened'! Apparently, when the idea was put forward to her, SHE wanted to play the role!

Furthermore according to an interview with the script writer I heard this morning, the sketch was written without her having to speak, but when she saw the script her comment was "Don't you think I should have a line?" Needless to say a line was immediately added!!

[Hell Razor5543]

Also (according to Prince Edward) one of the dignitaries at the Opening Ceremony was convinced that The Queen had actually made that jump!

[bobins]

Ihre letzte Reise ist in einem deutschen Auto! Wie passend für ein Saxe-Coburg!

I wonder if the funeral director's holds a Royal Warrant ?

[mickthemaverick]

Ihre letzte Reise ist in einem deutschen Auto! Wie passend für ein Saxe-Coburg!

I wonder if the funeral director's holds a Royal Warrant ?

I was surprised to see a Merc in use. Be interesting to see what is used in London!

[bobins]

Being of a curious mind, I do wonder how the Merc was procured ? Has The State had a long term lease on a suitable hearse, or was there a long-standing agreement with a suitable funeral director's that, when the unfortunate day came, The State would need the use of one of their vehicles, and it's not the sort of request you turn down ?

[mickthemaverick]

I should imagine there are standing orders to various contracted services to enable instant response when needed. For me the hearse design has a certain nobility to it and it may be part of the royal garage at each royal residence, or there may be just one that follows the potential client around!

[Ross_K]

On BBC news this morning the undertaker's name was on the hearse - William Purves. Hence the reg WP xxxx.



I didn't notice it later in the day, maybe they switched to a different hearse as I noticed they had a backup.

Their website doesn't mention a royal warrant, so who knows how they got the job...but some newspaper mentioned that funeral directors to the Royal Household are selected and appointed by the Lord Chamberlain's Office.

[bobins]

Business will be booming for William Purves...

".... well if they were good enough for The Queen...."