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Nobody is being "forced" to do anything. If the Royals really aren't able to participate in something due to health issues, they can decide whether they wish to take part or not. I imagine he feels duty bound to do so. He was her cousin after all.

Bill Pearl dead at 91.

Well I hope wherever you are going for a while that all is OK?- and that you will be back on here soon making your presence felt with your valuable contributions. Don't be a stranger . Best Wishes Gooseberry

Nippon Hoso Kyokai explained it in a better way, without mixing Emperors like I did: Japan's Imperial Household Agency says Emperor Naruhito will become the second Japanese Emperor to attend a funeral for a foreign royal family member or head of state, when he takes part in the ceremony for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II next week. The agency says Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko attended the state funeral for Belgium's King Baudouin in 1993. They were the Emperor and Empress at that time.

Keep calm and carry on I believe is the phrase. But the emotion shown, from a British perspective, is something to behold. Are we mixing up our monarchs here? Emperor Naruhito is expected to attend. But he wasn't Emperor in 1993. Not seen whether Akihito is coming, but it wouldn't surprise me if he was. But I'm not sure your sentence made sense. I'm on the train now heading down. Like you, always thought I would for The Queen, and it so happens I'm in a position to go down today rather than Saturday, so thought it best to go ASAP. Not really fussed how long it takes, it's a historic moment and I'd like to pay my respects.

It's his cousin and a huge state occasion. He wouldn't have wanted to miss it. He didn't take part in the procession, he was driven to Westminster Hall, but as a working royal (as I believe he formally still is), he was entitled to be part of the family procession, so joined them lined up behind the coffin. I suspect the Queen's funeral will be his last major royal engagement.

Samy Vellu dead at 86.

New Zealand Māori leader Maanu Paul has died age 83. https://waateanews.com/2022/09/15/maanu-paul-a-fighter-for-maori-rights/

Tommy Lee Jones, the incredibly versatile American actor and film director who has starred in many famous films during his great career and won an Oscar for his notable performance as Samuel Gerard in "The Fugitive", is 76 today. Tommy Lee Jones and Al Gore were roommates for four years during their time at Harvard in the late '60s. Henry Silva, the proliferant American film, stage and television character actor who has played a wide variety of criminals, mobsters and robbers in films including "The Bravados", "Johnny Cool", "Sharky's Machine", "Code of Silence" and "Above the Law", is 94 today. He also played a communist agent in the original "The Manchurian Candidate".

Forget Malcolm Erskine, 17th Earl of Buchan, he is dead aged 92: http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/259526/burwood

I saw on one of the x amount of royal family related threads that someone collapsed. That person was Lady Gabriella whose father is Prince Michael of Kent.

As I haven't had an invite to the funeral (yet!) I'm hopefully going to The Queue / lying-in-state either tomorrow or Friday. I always said I would for The Queen if possible, and the MOT today wasn't hideous so can afford to.

In some ways it is more impressive that there is such a public outpouring when it isn't mandated by the state.

I think some ppl were expecting grief, North Korea style. That just ain’t our thang.

I appreciate the picture and the "not dead" disclaimer!

I submitted my first team for 2013, which ended up her last year running it. I mainly remember she really liked my Louis Zamperini pick. RIP.

When I was 19, I found the Tuck Position easier than a 3.4. Getting more difficult now obvs. Anyhow, that's me for a while, catch you around GC.

Queen Anne-Marie is in good health so will likely attend as she did for Phillip’s memorial. Probably the Crown Prince and Princess as well. The Telegraph are saying Keith Payne will attend but not the other two.

Based on current queue livestream I would go tomorrow. That way better chance of being allowed in. Just let us know what time you will get in so we can watch you bow your head, lol.

The classic case of unrealistic expectations. People have tried to imagine what The Queen's death would be like, and built it up to be unlike anything you could possibly imagine. But it was seismic, sudden, the grief has been widespread and heartfelt, the queue to view her coffin is enormous and her funeral will be the biggest world event in years. I get what you mean, but the expectations were just off the scale.

This Mark Miller? Who's now dead aged 97?

Just wait till William succeeds him. Apparently left handed people like him tend to find Fountain ones very difficult to write with.

https://people.com/royals/queen-elizabeth-funeral-reported-guest-list-leaders-royals/ PEOPLE says that ex-Queen Beatrix of Netherlands will attend QEII's funeral. King Felipe of Spain's parents, Juan Carlos I and Sofia might attend (express says that they will). Zelenskyy will not attend. Iran invited at ambassadorial level. Russia, Belarus and Myanmar not invited.

I did think it was a little brusque given the setting. Suspect it may not go down well. He could make his point while still being respectful but was very forthright and as I recall he didn't mention The Queen in his closing remarks at all.

Tbf, whether you’re left or right, The Telegraph, Guardian and Times are all great publications. I’m subscribed to all three.