In the U.K. this morning, a massive two gigawatt power drop — the equivalent of 200 million light bulbs being turned off — was reported as millions switched from what they were doing to watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. That is just one interesting bit of news that resulted from the funeral of the long-reining monarch.
Early on, social media lit up when word got out that the Duke of Sussex wasn't allowed to wear his military uniform or even salute his own grandmother as she was being laid to rest. Many Britons took to Twitter to express their fury over the decision, with one user writing: "What is this… Prince Harry actually served 2 tours in Afghanistan but can’t salute his grandmother or wear a military uniform." Another said: "Prince Harry not being allowed to wear his military uniform or salute the Queen tells you everything you need to know about Charles." A third wrote: "Prince Harry actually served his country at war but has been told he's not allowed to wear his uniform or salute? Absolute madness." "The way they are treating Prince Harry is a pisstake. Not even allowed to salute his own granny," a fourth fumed.
Many eagled-eyed viewers were also wondering how "Grey's Anatomy" and "Killing Eve" star Sandra Oh managed to snag a seat at Westminster Cathedral for the funeral. Turns out the 51-year-old Canadian-American actress was appointed to the Order of Canada as an Officer in June this year, and was accompanying Prime Minister Trudeau as part of the Canadian delegation. Other members of the Canadian delegation included Olympic swimming champion Mark Tewksbury and musician Gregory Charles. "Peep Show" actress Sophie Winkleman, who is married to Lord Frederick Windsor, son of the Queen's cousin Prince Michael of Kent, and adventurer and television star Bear Grylls, representing the British Scout Association as chief scout, were also in attendance.
Eagle-eyed viewers were also left gobsmacked after spotting another guest (this time, uninvited) attending the Queen's funeral. Many on social media noted the appearance of a spider on the Queen's coffin as the ceremony took place. The tiny arachnid was seen crawling across the notecard placed on the coffin by King Charles alongside the crown and the floral arrangement. The colorful wreath included a sprig of myrtle taken from a plant that was grown from a cutting taken from her wedding bouquet over 75 years ago.
The four special horses that helped lead the Queen's coffin from Westminster have a special history with the British royal family. Named George, Elizabeth, Darby and Sir John, they are four of eight horses that the Royal Canadian Mounted police has gifted to the Queen over the years. As Monarch of Canada, Elizabeth was gifted her first horse from the Canadian Mounties in 1969-- a coal black mare named Burmese. Elizabeth rode Burmese for 18 years at the Trooping the Color, including the 1981 incident during which a spectator shot six blanks toward the Queen.
Later at Windsor, two of the Queen's beloved corgis Muick and Sandy (unable to attend the funeral, apparently) awaited the procession carrying her coffin to St George's Chapel inside Windsor Castle. One on a red lead and one on a blue, they were escorted by two pages in red tailcoats as the coffin of their beloved former owner came past. Emma, the Queen's fell pony, also greeted the procession, standing in a gap in the floral tributes along the Long Walk to the Windsor Castle.
The service at Westminster Abbey closed to the haunting sound of bagpipes, played by the Queen's personal piper. For 70 years, largely without exception, the Piper to the Sovereign would play each morning for 15 minutes beneath the Queen's window, wherever she was resident. The inclusion of Pipe Major Paul Burns-- who had served since 2021-- was a personal request of the Queen. He played the traditional lament "sleep, dearie, sleep" - the sound of which appeared to fade as he turned and walked down the internal steps of Westminster Abbey.
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