Like many, I used to be saddened by the demise of Queen Elizabeth II, and the top of an period, however I principally averted the considerably overwrought media about it within the days that adopted.
It hadn’t occurred to me to observe her funeral, so I used to be shocked when a pal texted and requested if she might come over to my place and watch it collectively.
I made pasta and he or she introduced a bottle of champagne, however the attention-grabbing factor was that she is a former editor of the Australian Girls’s Weekly, so she was utterly, and I imply utterly, invested.
We needed to change channels and hear for some time till she determined she favored the BBC accents greatest. It was like having my very own royal commentator.
Her huge data of all of the tiny particulars surrounding the royal household introduced out my inside republican, so it was fairly the night time.
No place for style police
Nothing fairly unites two mature girls watching a royal occasion than when Kate, the Princess of Wales and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex seem.
Nobody ought to actually be taking over the position of style police at a funeral, and so they each appeared magnificent: Kate in a wide-brimmed hat with veil, sharply tailor-made coat and the gorgeous pearl and diamond necklace worn by each the Queen and Princess Diana earlier than her, and Meghan in a caped gown and hat that dipped over one eye.
I observed some critics on Twitter comment that it was dangerous type to put on no sleeves at a funeral, however one wit rapidly replied: “Meghan is American, and so they have the suitable to reveal arms”.
My pal and I oohed and aahed over the valuable stones within the crown, (a few of which have been ostensibly “stolen” from India and underneath dispute) however essentially the most attention-grabbing facet amongst all this pomp and pageantry was the millinery.
From the stylish hats worn by feminine attendees at Westminster, the black toppers of the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) with their crimson, white and blue silk rosettes, the Troopers of the Life Guards with 43-centimetre white plumes of their helmets, to the flat discs of the sailors’ hats marching in formation across the coffin that appeared so splendid shot from above.
“I’m wondering what they make the bearskin hats out of now?” mentioned my pal, as we famous the tall black hats of the Royal Guards.
Actual bearskins from Canada
Because it occurs, they’re nonetheless manufactured from actual bearskins, imported from Canada, a lot to the consternation of animal activists, and a matter that was debated in British Parliament earlier this 12 months with no consequence.
The most effective hats belongs to the final officer’s full gown. It’s black and adorned with a white plume that curves jauntily over the crown, and naturally, the marvellous feathered bonnet of the total gown Royal Regiment of Scotland, which to my thoughts is preferable to skinning bears.
The intricacy of royal and navy regalia might be likened to French high fashion. However to my thoughts, the uniforms on present on the funeral got here with much more heritage, a way of arcane magic. I’m glad we watched it.
