This last 11 days have been extraordinary. The headlines every day on the TV have been about the death of the Queen and all the various different ceremonies and rituals that have had to be held, in different places. The King has almost had to be in two places at once, appearing in London for the Proclamation then flying to Scotland to accompany the late Queen’s coffin on the initial stages of her journey from Balmoral to Westminster Hall. All four of the Queen’s children walked up the Royal Mile from Holyrood to St Giles Cathedral, then again from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, this time including Princes William and Harry. The Queen Consort Camilla, Kate the Princess of Wales, Sophie the Duchess of Wessex and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex accompanied their spouses as the coffin made its way into Westminster Hall.
All this was live in front of thousands of people, and televised from every possible angle, footage beamed to billions of people throughout the world.
Who else would want such a public sharing of grief? We should remember these are people just like us, grieving for a mother, and a grandmother, yet at the time of their natural and understandable despair and distress, the world looks on.
On Thursday there was a simple act of worship as the Queen was “laid out in state”, followed by four days when those members of the public who wished to could come and pay their respects.
This gave King Charles and Camilla the opportunity to relax together in their home at Highgrove, William and Kate were able to have family time in Norfolk. Princess Anne flew to Glasgow for discussions about the various charities and patronages the Queen held.
Jesus, at times when he had been in the spotlight, took time out to be alone, and to pray to His Father in heaven.
I pray that the whole royal family have been able to have some private time to mourn, some quiet time to gain support from each other, and time to cherish those personal and private memories they have of their mother, and grandmother.
Prayer: Sovereign Lord, King of kings, as we mourn for our Queen, let us be comforted that she is now in eternal peace with you in Glory. We pray for our new King Charles, for Camilla at his side. We pray for William and Harry, for whom this day will no doubt bring back painful memories.
May they all know your peace, that peace which passes all understanding. AMEN