Re: Royal Funeral

Ian has been spot on with his commentary on protocol. This is one event
where everybody, certainly in the UK, will remember what they were doing
and where they were. I certainly remember the Kennedy and Mountbattan
deaths.

For myself I was fortunate to be in California with friends when the news
broke. We were flooded with phone calls from new friends offering sympathy
and who were clearly touched by events.

Regular readers of the list may have noticed my occupation. Just for your
info I thought I would let you know some of the details of the policing
arrangements. All London police stations are supplying aid to central
London. Those lining the processional route will be on duty from about
0200hrs and can expect to be on duty for a minimum of 12 hours.

Since the duty of those officers is public safety they will not be allowed
to face the cortege. They are required to face inwards towards the
mourners. This is a normal practice at ceremonial events in London. So if
you watch the TV tomorrow that is the reason the police are not saluting
the coffin or even facing it.

I am told that upwards of 6 million mourners will be in the capitol
tomorrow. You can therefore imagine the policing headache that will cause.

As you might expect - life goes on - I am not to be on the event. I take
my usual place of locking up the bad guys 1500 - 2300 hours. I suspect the
bad guys (and girls) will still be up to their tricks. Ian will know
having been a lay visitor. (That term can be explained by him after the
weekend - it could even start an interesting thread for the BSA'ers.)

YIS

Roger P

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message
• Previous message
• Maybe in reply to
• Next in thread