I drove down on Friday night from the City to my partner’s place in Eton. My route takes me down the Mall and past Buckingham Palace. Though nearly dark, there were large numbers of press reporting and people milling in front of the palace gates. The queen and her family were in Windsor and as I type I look across the Thames towards the royal apartments. It is hard to understand private grief in the context of this huge edifice. But the loss of a loved one after so long is the same for queen or commoner.
Last night’s view of Windsor castle- the flag does not fly at half mast. pic.twitter.com/bnKCCygOmy
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 11, 2021
The Royal Standard, which represents the sovereign and continuation of the monarchy, never flies at half-mast and will be flown at full-mast where the Queen is present.
I have been running around Windsor and got caught up in the crowds around the castle.
Lockdown? What’s that? Crowds outside Windsor castle yesterday pic.twitter.com/p9m8iiYnRd
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 11, 2021
It’s all a bit newsy in Windsor right now pic.twitter.com/8GTzFnb412
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 11, 2021
Flowers at Windsor pic.twitter.com/OmbrAjiV6W
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 11, 2021
George III still on his high horse pic.twitter.com/kJ8vFOnCK6
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 11, 2021
I am 59 and have known nothing but Elizabeth as my queen and Philip as her consort. This great period of continuity is now partially broken.
And as this happens, we are trying to lift restrictions from the pandemic. It feels odd, unworldly. The winning words of Rachael Blackmore seem apposite.
Not male, not female – not human! Congrats to Rachael Blackmore #aintree #grandnational21 #Blackmore pic.twitter.com/MDMHIwXcby
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 10, 2021