Procession

Slightly to my surprise I managed to get onto the Royal Mile to view the procession of Her Majesty’s coffin to St Giles. I was there an hour and a half before the procession left Holyrood but even then people were standing several rows deep.

I thought I had a reasonable view of the street, especially as there were a couple of retired military gentlemen ( cap badge suggested the 16th Queen’s Lancers) not too far in front of me. However they, like myself and just about everyone else, got their phones/cameras out. Those with phones seemed to video everything so all the arms were raised throughout. I did get one or two pictures but something which just recorded I was there. So I thought the blip for today would be as above.

Indeed, I overheard someone commenting that it all seemed somewhat intrusive and they felt sorry for the mourners. They were like an Insta moment. I confess I empathised with those thoughts. Some heads were bowed as mine was briefly. And everyone was silent and respectful.

It must have been a security nightmare as people were on rooftops, hanging out of windows and generally milling around. I felt sorry for some people who were trying to cross the Royal Mile to go and catch trains. One couple said their train was due to leave in 20 minutes: manageable on a normal day but not today. The crossing points had been open before my arrival but they were closed completely from that point on.

Still, an historic day.