I spend the weekend wandering the streets of east London and walking along the Thames. On TV, I see illuminations of the Queen, lit up all across the city. The radio has non-stop coverage of the situation. Every British newspaper can write of nothing else.
By Monday, I hear that the floral tributes, cards and drawings being left to the Queen outside Buckingham Palace are arriving in droves, so much so that they are being moved to Green Park (next door to her London residence). Here, thousands of Londoners and tourists alike are arriving daily to view them.
I am curious and decide to venture west, to see them for myself.
Alighting at Charing Cross station on the Strand (the ‘centre’ of London, from which all distances are measured) I amble across Trafalgar Square.
Souvenir stores are awash with Elizabeth II memorabilia - mugs, postcards, flags fluttering in the breeze.
Passing under the magnificent Admiral Arch, I see that the Mall is lined with Union Jacks and that there’s a steady stream of people who, like me, are walking along the edge of St. James Park, towards the Palace.
It’s a beautiful day, with clear blue skies, and the contrast of this with the flags is remarkable.
By the time I can see the palace up close, there’s already a queue - it’s moving steadily and very orderly (we are Brits, after all) towards the famous black gates and signs have already been established saying ‘Join the Queue’ (as if we didn’t have a clue how to do this!)
The atmosphere is not sombre, more restrained. People are not weeping (as they did with Diana) but calm, dignified, lost in thought.
In front of the gates, people are stopping to move some of the tributes that are still there - cards and drawings.
In front of the gates, people are stopping, both to place flowers and also read some of the tributes that are there - cards and drawings .
These will regularly be removed and taken next door to Green Park.
There’s a copy of a newspaper stuck within the railings, a picture of the Queen on the front and a huge caption stating ‘Godspeed, Ma’am’.
It seems very poignant and fitting.
Of course, there are a few miniature Paddington Bears.
Paddington is iconic now, since the famous Platinum Jubilee Her Majesty video skit made the late Queen, inviting the bear for tea then - to all of our amusements - opening her trademark handbag to reveal a hidden marmalade sandwich.
There are also many people who’ve bought their children and this I like - these are memories they will treasure in years to come, tell their own friends and families, long after people like me have died - after all, scenes like this will never be seen again on the streets of London.
Young girl outside Buckingham Palace,
It’s quiet and dignified and I feel a sense of sadness combined with respect and a little British pride. People are stopping to pray, to read, even to chat to the person standing next to them. and to lay flowers, even though officials are advising that all floral offerings now have to be laid in Green Park).
I am deeply touched, more than I thought I would be. (It will not be the last time I feel this emotion, in the coming days).
As I walk away from the gates, I take a last look back and, attached to the top of the railings, I spy a solitary heart-shaped red balloon. Somehow, I think the officials are going to let it remain there…
And now it’s onto Green Park.
To be continued…