before her death, the queen had much to celebrate this year. back injune, four days of events marked the platinum jubilee, the first in british history for the longest reigning monarch. it began with trooping the colour through horse guards parade. then attention shifted to the balcony of buckingham palace, as the crowds moved forward for a closer look at the queen and a very special fly past, although her great grandson prince louis threatened to steal the show.
with ritual and ceremony, some of it dating back centuries. the crown of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland is solely and rightfully come to the prince charles philip arthur george. god save the king. all: god save the king! the accession council gathered at st james s palace, former prime ministers, members of the royal family and other dignitaries, as charles iii was officially proclaimed as the new monarch. the queen s death at balmoral meant scotland would play an important role in the public mourning. three days after she died, the queen s coffin left the royal estate for edinburgh. slowly, the cortege wound through the breathtaking beauty of deeside, where the royal family
many of whom had met the queen. i love that he has his guardsman t shirt on. and a paddington as well. i think paddington might have knocked the corgi off the top spot. but it was perhaps a surprise family visit in windsor that drew the most attention. two days after the queen died, two years after the duke and duchess of sussex left the uk, harry, meghan, william and catherine put their differences aside to see tributes left at windsor castle. maybe not a reconciliation, but a show of unity that many seemed pleased to see. the days of public mourning culminated here at westminster abbey, where one of the biggest gatherings ever seen in the uk of kings and queens, prime ministers and presidents, came for the state funeral of queen elizabeth ii.
before the king, there was duty too, and a need to be seen around the uk. we re all very saddened by her loss. as well as time in scotland, the king also visited northern ireland, where he received condolences from across all political parties. deepest condolences. and he experienced a bit of leaky pen frustration as he signed the visitors book at hillsborough castle. and he also went to wales before his mother s funeral, with a lengthy walkabout at cardiff castle. the king s sons were also visible during this period of royal mourning. the new prince and princess of wales visited the sandringham estate in norfolk to view tributes and thank staff and local people,
we re going to cut the ribbon to officially say this party is open! it was an extended holiday weekend for britain. but the queen s health meant much of the celebrating was done without her. she wasn t well enough to be at the thanksgiving service at st paul s cathedral, but her family were in full attendance, including the duke and duchess of sussex, making their only official appearance at the platinum jubilee. the following day, it was party at the palace, and that special guest invited for tea. thank you for having me. i do hope you re having a lovelyjubilee. tea? oh, yes, please.