Queen Elizabeth’s funeral was a spectacle as only the British know how to stage. Every step was choreographed following the almost millennial traditions. Two thousand people were in attendance, with 500 heads of state come to pay their respects. The Queen was eulogized for her unprecedented sense of duty and the sacrifices she made as a woman, wife and mother throughout her life. The steadfastness with which she kept the promise that she made at the age of 21.
Her family looked genuinely moved and distraught, some have said they were “ashen-faced’. King Charles and his three younger siblings, Anne, Andrew and Edward, followed the gun carriage pulled by 142 Royal Navy sailors that bore the queen’s coffin to St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Little George, son of the newly elevated Prince of Wales, William, stood as tall and straight as his elders, no doubt already being trained to follow in Charles and then William’s footsteps when one day he will be king.
Behind the gun carriage bearing the casket, came Charles’s sons, Princes William and Harry, their grave faces showing the emotional impact of the moment as they marched to the sound of bagpipes and the tolling of a bell. Charles, Anne, Edward and William, all dressed in ceremonial military uniform, saluted as the coffin was lifted off the gun carriage in front of the abbey.
Andrew and Harry, who are no longer working royals, were in morning suits and did not salute, even though both had served in conflict in the past, in the Falklands and in Afghanistan.
Waiting just inside were the women of the family: Charles’ wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, as well as William’s wife Kate and their children George, 9, and Charlotte, 7, and Harry’s wife Meghan.
The royals followed the coffin up the aisle, with close-up television shots showing the sorrow on their faces. After the coffin was slowly lowered into the royal vault at the end of the Windsor service, Charles was visibly emotional, holding back tears as the congregation sang the national anthem in its updated form, “God Save the King”.
But even such a solemn and well-rehearsed occasion has spawned controversy and speculation. Why did Harry not sing the national anthem? Why did he keep silent as the nation marked the change and continuity that has been the hallmark of British history?
Word is that Twitter exploded after some viewers claimed Prince Harry appeared to not join in on the singing of the national anthem during the somber hour-long service. Only two people appeared not to sing, one was King Charles who of course, cannot do so—he being the king—and the other was Harry.
Reactions were immediate: “Noticed that … He couldn’t be any more disrespectful if he tried,” one person fumed.
“I noticed, as will have many others. I have utter contempt for him,” another wrote.
“So much for supporting the King!” exclaimed a third.
Perhaps we will find out that there was some good reason for this, or perhaps the rumor that this signals a permanent break between Harry and royal family will be proved to be true. The sad fact is that even on such a solemn occasion Harry seems to generate distraction and chaos.
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