Anyone watching besides me?
I've no idea how they managed to put so much minute precision, involving so many people, together in one week.
Parts of it rehearsed long before the actual need arose?
A lovely spring day in Windsor; St. George's was my favorite part of the castle, no question.
I have it on in the background out of curiosity, all but one channel is doing a live broadcast. Good commentater at least explaining what is happening and who everyone is. They say the Land Cruiser was specially built for him, that would have required some forethought so I think they would have had his funeral planned years ago all they had to do was adjust the plan for COVID.
Hi Teoni!
I knew the plan had been in place for some time but the actual execution of that plan...?
How do you even begin to rehearse all the moving parts together ahead of time?
The music is sad but I'm enjoying it.
I guess that is what The Firm is for
Being a military funeral it is already much smaller than a traditinal royal funeral, plus all the military personal would be accustomed to ceremonial performances so in a way they are already pre trained. I do remember the news saying they did do a rehersal.
[ Edit: Edited on 17 Apr 2021, 14:39 GMT by Teoni ]
>Parts of it rehearsed long before the actual need arose?
There are standard military procedures for such events and they're practised regularly just in case. The military music is also pretty-much standard for UK state funerals, remembrance day and suchlike. And there would have been on-site rehearsals over the past few days, with and without music, including (I suspect) at least a partial walk-through for the family procession even if they had to do it in small groups.
He'd planned the actual service well in advance so I'm sure the choir, soloists etc etc had plenty of time to learn and practice the music.
The organisation was equally superb at Diana's funeral, previously completely unplanned (other than the bare bones of it...she wasn't supposed to have a state funeral) and took place ust a week after her death.
There's no doubt we do pageantry pretty well, even in a pandemic. :-)
[ Edit: Edited on 17 Apr 2021, 14:44 GMT by leics2 ]
AHA! There you are Leics! Why did I know I'd be hearing from you shortly? 
Thanks to both of you for the insights into British pageantry. Yes, superbly carried out indeed!
They just did the "They who go down to the sea in ships" psalm. For a naval man's service, that one is a standard but lovely every time.
Trumpets and bagpipe. 
Editing to add: I'm not an especially religious person but appreciate good verse.
[ Edit: Edited on 17 Apr 2021, 14:50 GMT by goodfish ]
If it's an historical event I have to watch it!
Did you spot the female bugler and the female trumpeter? There were quite a lot of female military too.
At all these big Royal events I'm always impressed by how hard it is to spot the security people. They're always there but I've only ever spotted one: the 'footman' riding at back of Charles & Diana's wedding carriage. His continual 'eyes everywhere' gave him away. :-)
Quoting leics2
Did you spot the female bugler and the female trumpeter? There were quite a lot of female military too.
I admit I was not paying the closest attention but I feel like I remember quite a large parade of female military
[ Edit: Edited on 17 Apr 2021, 15:02 GMT by Teoni ]
I did see the lady musicians!
I did not pick out any security people either so you are spot on there: they do a terrific job of being inconspicuous.
So, the entrance to the royal vault is right in front of the steps to the altar. I either didn't know or couldn't remember exactly where it was. It was touching to see Her Majesty sitting all alone. She has gotten shorter with age, as do/will we all, but she appeared especially tiny, bent and vulnerable today.