Yes and hopefully they get everything right this time. I suspect there have also been, or will be , rehearsals for the military ceremonial portion of the state funeral. The QM took quite an interest in arrangements for her own funeral and reviewed plans several times. I seem to recall reading that she did not like the candle holders used by the Abbey so she sent over some of her own.
Yes, as usual, you are spot-on NGalitzine. Such reheasals, or parts of them, have, over the years, taken place in Central London, usually around 3.00am in the morning. I even think I came across one: see what you think; this is what happened:- Some years ago [actually,
quite some years ago, because it before I went up to Oxford] I was returning from a 'jolly time' at Annabel's. It was start of April, and not quite light. My boyfriend had parked in Waterloo Place, just near Carlton House Terrace. We actually found a cab to take us back to where he had parked. Whilst he was paying the cab driver, I noticed the sound of hoofs apparently coming from The Mall. [Very near by]. Instead of getting into his car, we walked the few yards to the top of the steps and saw the Household Cavalry and also Footguards all marching, rather slowly. And a gun carriage. There were quite a few police about, although, for Central London, this was not that usual. Being me, I aked one of the Police Officers what was going on, and he simply replied 'A rehearsal'. Again, 'being me', I asked what the rehearsal was for, and the police officer said to me, 'Oh, Trooping the Colour or
something(!)' - [note the 'vagueness', forum members, from a police officer actually INVOLVED!!] - 'and now, you, young lady, had better be going off to bed' [I was in my party frock]. This was 'good enough' for me, but my boyfriend, who was hoping to follow in the footsteps of his elder brother and attend Sandhurst in due course, and took an interest in all things military, thought it all a bit odd. Whilst he knew [which I did not, at that point] that rehearsals for the Birthday Parade did sometimes take place very early in the morning, that usually did not happen until late May. The gun carriage particularly seemed 'out of place/ position' as well to him, but we didn't really think anything more about it. However, a few years later, I actually found out that State Funerals were periodically rehearsed in just that way. Whilst the Queen was still in late middle age when we had come across the 'rehearsal', the Queen Mother was certainly 'getting on' a bit, [although in fact she did live another 25 years or so after that night].
And yes,
Burzg, so far as the BRF is concerned, everything to do with Royal Life is timed to the exact minute, particularly visits and parades and suchlike. If you ever watch Trooping the Colour, notice how the clock at Horse Guards always chimes at the precise moment the ceremony commences etc. The arrival of the everybody - the Military, the BRF who are watching the ceremony and HM and Prince Philip who are participating - is all perfectly worked out.
Hope this is interesting,
Alex
