In London, the British tribute to Prince Philip
Without pomp, the British royal family will bid farewell to Prince Philip, husband of Elizabeth II, next Saturday at a private funeral at Windsor Castle. In the streets of London, the sadness of the English was manifested even if the period marked by the Covid-19 pandemic made them relativize the event.
In front of Buckingham Palace, only a few bouquets flowered the feet of the entrance gate. It must be said that the British public cannot pay the due tribute to Prince Philip, the Queen's husband, who died on Friday at the age of 99. Due to coronavirus restrictions, the government has advised subjects not to travel there. Never mind, John, a manager in distribution, works nearby and he wanted to say goodbye to the prince.
“I came because this is a historic moment. I'm sad for the Queen, with everything that's going on right now, Harry's departure to the United States, the Covid in the country… Due to her status, she has to continue to hold her head up high, but she remain a person! "
"We were sad and very moved"
Julie, who came to pay tribute with all her family, also sympathizes for the 94-year-old monarch. “We were sad and very moved when we heard the news,” she comments. I thought about my mother when my father passed away and how devastated she was when he was lost after a long marriage. "
However, there is no question for this audiobook editor to take risks in these times of pandemic. "We wore our masks, we came early, we continued to move all the time and here we are about to leave," she lists. We didn't bring flowers because I know they asked people not to. "
"I am not a royalist, so I do not feel concerned"
However, not all Britons share this admiration. Prince Philip was also known for making racist comments and for his somewhat questionable sense of humor. While he brought modernity to royalty forty years ago, he is also seen as a conservative man from another era. Elsewhere in London, some passers-by are thus rather indifferent.
"It's sad he's dead but I'm not a royalist so I don't care about the royals," said Felicity, a 40-year-old who works in marketing. An Englishwoman in her sixties, who prefers to remain anonymous, also wants to put things in context. “There have been a lot of deaths due to the pandemic,” she recalls. He was old and sick, his death was not surprising, although someone's passing is always sad. The country will remain in mourning until Prince Philip's funeral, officially set for next Saturday.
Operation Forth Bridge is launched
The plan for Prince Philip's funeral, called 'Operation Forth Bridge', will be adjusted to coronavirus restrictions and is yet to be determined. Events that were likely to bring crowds together had to be changed. The Duke of Edinburgh did not want a state funeral, but a private ceremony in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Because of the confinement rules, only thirty people are expected to attend. Including Prince Harry, but not his wife Meghan, pregnant with their second child.
