Laid to rest: the Queen's funeral
After her reign of 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II has been laid to rest. Ten thousand police officers and countless soldiers and guards were deployed for the day-long funeral procession. The media are divided about whether such an elaborate display to mark the end of a reign was justified.
Do not sweep criticism under the carpet
The focus on the Queen's state funeral should not completely blot out the protests that took place on the fringes of the event, The Independent observes:
“The protests about the funeral were varied. Of course, there were discussions of colonial atrocities and stolen jewels. There were also outcries against guards' hats made from the fur of black bears by animal rights groups. People spoke of how the hours-long queue proved Britain had rallied around one thing, about how divisive wounds were being healed. Meanwhile, others wondered whether the millions spent on the day-long ceremony might have been better spent on the struggling NHS.”
A dignified transition to everyday life
Denik N acknowledges the huge turnout at the farewell ceremony - both on TV and at the site of the procession:
“Besides Londoners, people came from all over the country and from abroad. Those who hadn't spent the night on the pavement along the procession route didn't stand a chance in the morning. The streets were packed with crowds wanting to see Elizabeth's final journey. The route along which the hearse took the coffin to Windsor Castle was also lined with people. ... The British have said their final goodbyes to her majesty and life can now go on. As Elizabeth II herself said, quoting a British slogan from the Second World War: 'Keep Calm and Carry On'.”