‘Visually stunning’ to ‘forced day of mourning’: Mixed reaction to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral
Queen Elizabeth II, the world's second longest-reigning monarch, and Canada's longest sovereign, was laid to rest today at Westminster Abbey in London in a historic funeral.
The funeral was attended by her family, heads of state and government officials, governors general and realm prime ministers.
Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the coffin as it traveled from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle, and millions around the world turned to their televisions to watch the funeral.
Although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remained the centre of attention for many still, several instances from the funeral caught people's attention. Known for her deep love for animals, many were touched that the Queen's corgis showed up at the funeral to say their goodbyes, along with her pony Emma.
Her Majesty's beloved corgis, Muick and Sandy, await the cortege on the day of the state funeral and burial of Queen Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle in Windsor 💔 @Reuters #queensfuneral pic.twitter.com/HqewojrzjC
— Derek Momodu (@DelMody) September 19, 2022
Ok, so now I’m very teary. The Queen’s pony and dogs came to say farewell at Windsor. #queensfuneral #QueenElizabethII pic.twitter.com/kWbuOeVBxG
— JerseyBaker (@JerseyBakerGirl) September 19, 2022
The dogs became synonymous with the Crown and have been immortalized in countless photos, videos and even an animated movie. They were frequent fliers with the Queen, nearly upstaging her in a 2016 photo shoot by the famed American photographer Annie Leibovitz, who reposted one of the images shortly after the queen's passing.
A special mention was also given to the coffin bearers at the funeral who carried the Queen's coffin with "dignity and grace", as many said.
I don’t know about you but I held my breath for most of this part… well done lads.
Trusted shoulders, nerves of steel#Funeral #queensfuneral pic.twitter.com/WtdaXCUDag— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) September 19, 2022
Monarchist or not.
Can we have a round of applause for the eight soldiers who carried that lead lined oak coffin (especially up those stairs) in front of millions today. Your families will be so proud. #BearerParty #queensfuneral— Morag 🌻 (@moragkatie) September 19, 2022
While many thought that the ceremony was beautiful and it was a proud day for Britain, many also called it forced mourning and believed it a waste of 'taxpayer money'. Here are all the reactions from around the world.
Gotta be said, the whole funeral has been visually stunning. #queensfuneral pic.twitter.com/CT8Cs5IFZh
— Joe (@onlyjoekin_) September 19, 2022
Schools closed. Shops shut. Holiday parks kicking out paying guests.
It’s not a “bank holiday”. It’s a day of forced mourning.
Whether you want to or not. #QueensFuneral #QueenElizabeth— Angry Citizen (@disobey22) September 14, 2022
Watching the #queensfuneral from 3am onwards in a New York hotel room somehow brings me closer to it all than if I were back home. Words can’t compete with such ritual, ceremony and symbol. Think how many jigsaw puzzles will come from this…
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) September 19, 2022
Certainly a reason why so many people across the United Kingdom are feeling emotional today. #queensfuneral pic.twitter.com/kipnrufHYX
— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) September 19, 2022
The Royal Family have £24 billion in riches. Both William & Charles just paid zero tax on the hundreds of £millions they inherited.
You the taxpayer, however, are footing the entire bill for this prolonged funeral.— Howard Beckett (@BeckettUnite) September 19, 2022
Something about millions of pounds going to the queen’s funeral parade while ordinary British people get hit with this that doesn’t sit right with me https://t.co/iIG6x1EIMu
— Read Class Struggle Unionism by Joe Burns (@JoshuaPotash) September 18, 2022
Have we ever seen so many world leaders in the same place at once? From a historical point of view I'm fascinated by this. #QueensFuneral
— ASHLEIGH LOUISE (@axhleighlouise) September 19, 2022
I object strongly to the BBC & other sycophantic media outlets repeatedly stating that 'the whole nation' is in mourning - no we are not.
I refuse to be included as one of the sheeple fake grieving the loss of a symbol of inequality & entitlement. #QueensFuneral— Angela 🛡🇪🇺💙 Rebel With Many Causes #ToriesOut (@spaceangel1964) September 19, 2022
Absolutely proud to be British today proud to have had this extraordinary woman as our Queen , beautiful service , The armed forces and commonwealth done her so proud this is how we do things with class dignity and respect . 🙏 #queensfuneral pic.twitter.com/BS80NfkIZ9
— Claire J Cheeseman (@cjcheesecake) September 19, 2022
Rest in peace Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Good night, God bless Dear Lilibet.#QueenElizabethII #TheQueen #queensfuneral pic.twitter.com/S5PRxUOlRu— All On The Board (@allontheboard) September 19, 2022
Do I support the monarchy? No. But am I, like so many across the world, moved by the solemn dignity and love shown in today's state funeral proceedings? Also no
— katie spalding (@supermathskid) September 19, 2022
Never have I felt the chasm with my industry more deeply than with the coverage of queen Elizabeth. For orgs that claim such emphasis on “balance” to offer such one-sided coverage, bits of critique appearing coz we insist… phew. I did my bit. Pls read:https://t.co/9gnHxSqYfX
— Shree Paradkar//श्री पराडकर 🍁 (@ShreeParadkar) September 19, 2022
Many even criticized the worldwide media coverage of the Queen's funeral and the lack of focus on the floods in Pakistan, the energy crisis in the United Kingdom, and the hurricane in Puerto Rico.
The fact that all the TV news networks are running Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, but doing little or nothing on Hurricane Fiona’s devastation of Puerto Rico shows exactly what is terribly wrong with today’s media.
— Andrea Junker (@Strandjunker) September 19, 2022
White supremacy is the whole world focusing on the casket, funeral proceedings, and death of an imperialist monarch who symbolized colonialism while countries populated by people of color are under water and without power, literally no news coverage for Puerto Rico and Pakistan.
— dr. jenn m. jackson (@JennMJacksonPhD) September 19, 2022