please empty your brain below
Just because people want - or feel they ought - to signal the grief they are feeling, the sheer waste of it all appalls me. I'm sure it's a truly splendid sight (and scent) but, as much I respect the late Queen's dedication of lifelong service to our country, all the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't persuade me to visit.

Frank F | 13.09.22 - 7:35 a.m. | #

The quotes from the written tributes certainly made my eyes well up.

Thanks for the pictures and descriptions dg. I’m thinking of going, but I’m not fond of crowds.

Bah humbug Frank F.

Neesi | 13.09.22 - 7:55 a.m. | #

I wonder what other queens Jan is comparing to to have come to the conclusion that Brenda was the best one.

Ian | 13.09.22 - 8:05 a.m. | #

I do feel that the most of the 'flower thing' is done out of social habit, like building sandcastles at the seaside or the winner of a sporting event spraying Champagne, it then becomes a self-sustaining event in its own right, so you go to see the tributes.

I don't know about not seeing it's like again, remembering the Diana display in Kensington.

Still Anon | 13.09.22 - 8:09 a.m. | #

I passed through TPGFT on Sunday - between going to some Open House London events and seeing the historic ships at St Katharine Dock. The floral tributes were a sight to behold then and they will be even more so by now. But the weekend crowds were immense and there were long detours to get from one side of the palace to the other.

Alan S | 13.09.22 - 8:59 a.m. | #

Your description of the blind lady with the guide dog triggered me...

Joho | Homepage | 13.09.22 - 9:05 a.m. | #

I agree dg, regardless of one’s opinions on the monarchy I did find the messages and displays fascinating and at times moving. Her death has clearly affected many, and I’m happy to respect that. Lucky to see a part of social history.

Dullard note: I hadn’t appreciated how extensive the one way system is inside the ‘footprint’. Don’t make the mistake I did, leave your bike on one side of St James Park and hope to get back to it without a very, very long walk.

Lux | 13.09.22 - 9:08 a.m. | #

There were a few "chancers" there on Sunday afternoon, I hope they have been asked to " Move along".

Mike | 13.09.22 - 9:36 a.m. | #

Was thinking of popping over today and just passing through quickly as I need to be the other side of London in the afternoon.
All hope of anything being completed quickly in the area is rapidly fading!!
Will give it a go though.

Frank F - the way I see it, leaving flowers is not a waste if 1) it brings people comfort, 2) it boosts the business of struggling florists and 3) creates wonderful compost in which to grow more flowers!

Cornish Cockney | 13.09.22 - 10:17 a.m. | #

Got to admire the chancers - they are providing a service. No worse than all the florists, garages and supermarkets who are currently benefitting from sudden upsurge in flower sales.

MKIan | 13.09.22 - 10:34 a.m. | #

The one-way system round the palace is well-staffed but frustratingly unexplained, so you never quite know where you might be going and how hard it might be to get back.

Londonist have also visited the Tribute Garden, reminding us that Green Park is well known for being historically flowerless.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 13.09.22 - 11:11 a.m. | #

I was hoping that the inflatable ET (c. Stewart Lee) might have made another appearance.

Marmaduke Jinks | 13.09.22 - 11:26 a.m. | #

Not being mathemically blessed, I will need to spend some time working out precisely why the "one in a million" comment needs more thinking trough.

cau1khead | 13.09.22 - 2:45 p.m. | #

cau1khead, it means there are 67(ish) more like her in the UK right now, and many more worldwide. Just dg's usual humourous pedantry shining through.

Graham | 13.09.22 - 8:29 p.m. | #

Don't you wish people would lay 1 flower and give the rest of the money they were intending to spend on a bunch to a local Charity. What better memorial for the Queen that a few million going into well deserving charity pots rather than a big pile of (very expensive) compost.

Mr BW | 14.09.22 - 1:46 p.m. | #











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