But have some firms gone too far? A number of businesses and public bodies are cutting their services to “honour” the late sovereign in ways that people find distinctly weird.
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Thousands queue to pay respects to Queen
But have some firms gone too far? A number of businesses and public bodies are cutting their services to "honour" the late sovereign in ways that people find distinctly weird.
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For many, it will be the most solemn thing they have ever seen. At 2:22PM today, the Queen's coffin will leave Buckingham Palace, carried on a gun carriage. From there it will travel to Westminster HallThe oldest building in the British parliament., with members of the royal family walking behind it. The Imperial State CrownOne of the Crown Jewels of the UK. will rest on the coffin.
The procession will arrive at precisely 3PM. The closed coffin will be carried into the great hall and laid on a catafalqueA wooden platform supporting a coffin. . There it will be draped in the Royal StandardA flag flown when the monarch is present in the UK. with the orbA spherical object. and sceptreA decorated stick carried by a monarch or other figure of authority. placed on top. The Lying-in-State of Elizabeth II will have begun.
At 5PM, members of the public will start filing past the coffin to pay their respects. They will continue to do so until next Monday, the day of the Queen's funeral.
The coffin will be guarded by soldiers of the Sovereign's Bodyguard, or the Household Division or Yeoman WardersThe ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. They are also known as the Beefeaters. of the Tower of London.
Such occasions are incredibly rare in Britain. Its last Lying-in-State, for Queen Elizabeth the Queen MotherThe mother of Queen Elizabeth II, who was also named Elizabeth. She died in 2002. , took place in 2002.
In the US, all presidents are entitled to the honour, though two have gone without it.1
In Russia earlier this month, Mikhail GorbachevThe last leader of the Soviet Union. lay in state in Moscow. In Egypt, the head of the Coptic ChurchA church founded in the first century in Egypt. is mummified and set on his throne so that he can be seen for the last time.
There is a feeling, though, that some people are going too far in showing respect for the Queen - or at least, claiming to. Yesterday the Organic Delivery Company announced that it would not be making deliveries on the day of her funeral. What, its customers wondered, is respectful about that?
Bizarrely, Norwich City Council has closed one of its cycle racks for 12 days. The NHS has announced that staff briefings are on hold.
People in Richmond have questioned the local council's decision to cancel a "Mega Skip Day" for collecting rubbish. The Bank of England has postponed its monthly Monetary Policy CommitteeA committee of the Bank of England which meets eight times a year to decide the interest rate in the UK. meeting.
There is an argument that people should not enjoy themselves too much at a time of general sadness. But stopping the country from running smoothly is another thing.
"The massive irony of all this utter ridiculousness," wrote one Twitter user, "is that (at least to my perception), she was absolutely someone who would have said 'Please don't make a fuss, life must go on.'"
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But have some firms gone too far?
Yes: It is crazy to think that the Queen's family would thank a delivery company for not delivering on the day of her funeral. In some cases, it looks as if businesses just want to take things easy.
No: Many people who want to attend the Lying-in-State will only be able to do so during working hours. It is entirely right that services should be suspended so that they can take time off.
Or... There is a balance to be struck. Everyone should have a chance to mourn the Queen as they see fit. But essential services such as the NHS should be kept going as smoothly as possible.
Keywords
Westminster Hall - The oldest building in the British parliament.
Imperial State Crown - One of the Crown Jewels of the UK.
Catafalque - A wooden platform supporting a coffin.
Royal Standard - A flag flown when the monarch is present in the UK.
Orb - A spherical object.
Sceptre - A decorated stick carried by a monarch or other figure of authority.
Yeoman Warders - The ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. They are also known as the Beefeaters.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother - The mother of Queen Elizabeth II, who was also named Elizabeth. She died in 2002.
Mikhail Gorbachev - The last leader of the Soviet Union.
Coptic Church - A church founded in the first century in Egypt.
Monetary Policy Committee - A committee of the Bank of England which meets eight times a year to decide the interest rate in the UK.
Thousands queue to pay respects to Queen
Standing guard: Princess Anne (left) is the first woman to take part in the Vigil of the Princes. Glossary
Westminster Hall - The oldest building in the British parliament.
Imperial State Crown - One of the Crown Jewels of the UK.
Catafalque - A wooden platform supporting a coffin.
Royal Standard - A flag flown when the monarch is present in the UK.
Orb - A spherical object.
Sceptre - A decorated stick carried by a monarch or other figure of authority.
Yeoman Warders - The ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. They are also known as the Beefeaters.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother - The mother of Queen Elizabeth II, who was also named Elizabeth. She died in 2002.
Mikhail Gorbachev - The last leader of the Soviet Union.
Coptic Church - A church founded in the first century in Egypt.
Monetary Policy Committee - A committee of the Bank of England which meets eight times a year to decide the interest rate in the UK.