Passing of Queen Elizabeth II - Rest in Peace, Your Majesty.

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Recording the passing of Queen Elizabeth II this afternoon.

A very great deal will be written and spoken over coming hours, days and weeks and I will not presume to write of her in detail as others are more qualified to do so.   I will see, though, add an admiration for the dedication and commitment of the lady herself, carrying on far beyond normal retirement age.  And that admiration transcends our view of monarchy and the position on the role.

Rest in Peace, Your Majesty.

[bobm]

[onthecushions]

"Elegance in Action

Despite being well over 80 years old, 6201 Princess Elizabeth is still admired by many who love steam locomotives, for its elegant design, powerful performance abilities and magnificently evocative exhaust sound. Its robustness, sheer guts in hauling huge loads up long gradients and smooth riding qualities have endeared the engine to footplate crews and enthusiast alike. "

What an aptly named Locomotive.

OTC

(courtesy 6201 Princess Elizabeth Society)

[Electric train]

My Queens Platinum Jubilee medal arrived in the post Monday it is sitting here in its box waiting for me to arrange for it to be sent for mounting with my other medals ..............

You know it can sit there on my desk, wait a while before I send it off.

(Just for clarity I have a Cadet Forces commission)

God save the Queen ........... Long live the King

[1st fan]

I’ve had to do some planning for Her Majesty’s passing for something I’m involved with. It all worked today as it should have done. Despite being conscious of her failing health, it still made me very very sad that she’d died. I’ve got my full black suit, white shirt, black tie for work tomorrow.

[broadgage]

Union flags on public buildings should be flown at half mast, and many were lowered promptly as soon as the announcement was made. Presumably Union flags on private property should also be flown at half mast, I lowered the flag of a neighbour on hearing the news, as they are away.

But what about other flags ? Thinking here about several families of Ukrainian refugees near me. They normally fly their own national flag, the Union Flag, and a church flag.

They asked me what to do, and I suggested that all three flags be flown at half mast, but is this in fact the correct way to proceed ?  Corrections welcomed.

[Electric train]

Union flags on public buildings should be flown at half mast, and many were lowered promptly as soon as the announcement was made. Presumably Union flags on private property should also be flown at half mast, I lowered the flag of a neighbour on hearing the news, as they are away.

But what about other flags ? Thinking here about several families of Ukrainian refugees near me. They normally fly their own national flag, the Union Flag, and a church flag.

They asked me what to do, and I suggested that all three flags be flown at half mast, but is this in fact the correct way to proceed ?  Corrections welcomed.

National flags and ensigns flown at half mast is a mark of respect

From Wikipedia "The tradition of flying the flag at half-mast began in the 17th century. According to some sources, the flag is lowered to make room for an "invisible flag of death" flying above".

And the HM Gov website has info https://www.gov.uk/government/news/death-of-her-majesty-the-queen#:~:text=Half%2Dmast%20means%20the%20flag,not%20be%20flown%20at%20all.

[grahame]

From MyLondon

After the death of The Queen at Balmoral this afternoon (September , Operation Unicorn, the formal plan for what happens if the monarch dies in Scotland, will be beginning to be put into place. It has previously been reported that the Queen's body will be returned to Buckingham Palace on the Royal Train.

If this is confirmed, large crowds can be expected along the route which is likely to be along the classic East Coast Main Line route along the spine of the country. The final part of the route from Hitchin to King's Cross where the train will arrive, was the same route she used later in life when between her homes in London and Sandringham.

The Royal Train procession is expected to be very slow so people along the route can pay homage and share tributes. Level crossings, bridges and embankments are expected to be so overwhelmed with floral tributes that The Guardian reports railway officials plan to send a sweeper train behind to clear and tidy up the tracks behind it.

There will be a high police presence from local police forces and the British Transport Police with part of King's Cross station to be closed off to the public to allow for the Queen's transfer off the train.

[JayMac]

It's being reported widely this morning that HM The Queen will be returned to London by air. Although there has been no official announcement either way.

[broadgage]

It's being reported widely this morning that HM The Queen will be returned to London by air. Although there has been no official announcement either way.

Regretable in my view, rail would almost certainly be greener.
I can understand the use of air transport when HM was gravely ill and relatives wanted to be present urgently, but an extra few hours by rail is now much less important.

[broadgage]

National flags and ensigns flown at half mast is a mark of respect

From Wikipedia "The tradition of flying the flag at half-mast began in the 17th century. According to some sources, the flag is lowered to make room for an "invisible flag of death" flying above".

And the HM Gov website has info https://www.gov.uk/government/news/death-of-her-majesty-the-queen#:~:text=Half%2Dmast%20means%20the%20flag,not%20be%20flown%20at%20all.

Thanks for that link. If I have understood correctly, the Ukrainian flag, and also the church flag, count as "unofficial flags" and should therefore be removed and a Union Flag flown at half mast instead, rather than flying the unofficial flags at half mast as is being done.
Have I understood correctly ?

[IndustryInsider]

It's being reported widely this morning that HM The Queen will be returned to London by air. Although there has been no official announcement either way.

Regretable in my view, rail would almost certainly be greener.
I can understand the use of air transport when HM was gravely ill and relatives wanted to be present urgently, but an extra few hours by rail is now much less important.

I should imagine the security and logistical costs of using a plane would be a fraction of using the railway?  If rail was chosen, then there's the security risk and personal risks of trespassing as well as potential delay to other services. 

Though using rail would mean many more members of the public would have the chance to pay their respects in person as the train made its way down to London.

[TaplowGreen]

It's being reported widely this morning that HM The Queen will be returned to London by air. Although there has been no official announcement either way.

Regretable in my view, rail would almost certainly be greener.
I can understand the use of air transport when HM was gravely ill and relatives wanted to be present urgently, but an extra few hours by rail is now much less important.

I should imagine the security and logistical costs of using a plane would be a fraction of using the railway?  If rail was chosen, then there's the security risk and personal risks of trespassing as well as potential delay to other services. 

Though using rail would mean many more members of the public would have the chance to pay their respects in person as the train made its way down to London.

I suspect there were concerns about the undignified scrambling and trespassing similar to those we've seen at appearances by The Flying Scotsman - and security as you say.

[onthecushions]

.... and the possible replacement bus south from Peterborough.

[broadgage]

The date of the Royal funeral is yet to be announced, but it HAS been stated that the day of the funeral will be an additional public holiday.