It was so
strange to hear of her death as you imagined she would go on
forever. So sad that it was so close to Margaret's Death, and
also in the year of the Queen's Jubilee. Nevertheless we all
have to go sometime. London was an amazing place to be during
her mourning period. I went to one occasion, when she was moved
from St James Chapel to Westminster Hall where she was to lie
in state for 5 days. I was lucky enough to get close to the
barrier with only a small child in front of me. I had been in
the third row after arriving 1.5 hours in advance of the start
time, but due to police moving people as there was going to
be a crush I managed to sneak into such a great viewing position.
I felt part of something, it was so quiet yet there were so
many people. It wasn't a sad quiet though. I was proud to watch
the NZ soldiers walking in the procession. Then I got to see
the coffin, crown and I missed the front row behind the coffin
of Charles, Andrew, Edward, Ann, and Philip, but did get to
enjoy the site of William and Harry. They are so tall and so
handsome. Such a hard thing to do, but quite noble.
I didn't
go and see the lying in state, as there were such long queues,
mostly 4-5 hours. The ended up staying open around the clock
so everyone could pay their respects. Charles, Edward, Andrew,
and Viscount Linely did a stint of guarding the coffin. I watched
the funeral on television and was lucky enough to see the Lancaster
Bomber and the 2 spitfires that flew down the Mall as a tribute
to her. They flew right past our window. It was an indescribable
sight really. History flying along like that. Then the Queen
Mum was taken to Windsor to a private family funeral where she
was then laid to rest in the Chapel with her husband. She must
be so happy to be with him again after so long. Rest in Peace.
