Queens procession

Forcast said:

Man oh man watched the Queens funeral procession glad I didnt have to make that walk. But how did they keep the horses from pooping ? I wonder if the ground shook with the lockstep? Remember in history class reading about an army in lockstep could cause a bridge to clasp from vibration. And guess I never heard a real funeral drudge before.

Click to expand...

It wasn't as far as you may think. I believe I read they walked just over a mile but there is no way to stop horses from pooping but the street cleaners likely follow after or at least that's how most cities handle parades.

It seemed like a decent sized procession but I don't think it would have been large enough to shake the ground. It is my understanding that there was small representation of each division but nothing huge.

I realize that this is part of her job but I feel she would have rather had a funeral similar to her husband, who died during a covid outbreak and was small and intimate.

I heard once that before Charles and Diana's wedding the horses were fed dyes so their manure would match the wedding colors. No idea if that was true, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Forcast said:

But how did they keep the horses from pooping ?

Click to expand...

When I drove for a carriage company we had bags that attached to the harness and the horse's tail; when the horse lifted his tail the bag opened enough to catch the poop.

RideBarefoot said:

When I drove for a carriage company we had bags that attached to the harness and the horse's tail; when the horse lifted his tail the bag opened enough to catch the poop.

Click to expand...

The trash hauling companies with draft animals here use those as well.

I too was thinking the horses had something to catch the poo- thanks for confirming that

and also, wow, and the music was sort of Star Wars like? I don't know, I don't really know Star Wars that well but something about it....

RideBarefoot said:

When I drove for a carriage company we had bags that attached to the harness and the horse's tail; when the horse lifted his tail the bag opened enough to catch the poop.

Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking, poop bags.

Sometimes thread direction is very interesting.

I'm surprised there weren't official royal poop catchers. 😳

Sure cant see the King stepping in poop. Did see a guard passout once she was in the church that was upsetting. I still wonder if the bearers practiced and how many hours. Did you know the Queen was from the line of Anne Boleyns only child a girl ?

I was expecting to see a traditional horse drawn hearse, but it was a Mercedes automobile...I couldn't help but wondering if 200 yrs from now after we've (they've) all long since become accustomed to EVs if they will have saved this ICE hearse and continue to use it as a quaint reminder of the quiet, quaint, good old days?

doc- said:

I was expecting to see a traditional horse drawn hearse, but it was a Mercedes automobile...I couldn't help but wondering if 200 yrs from now after we've (they've) all long since become accustomed to EVs if they will have saved this ICE hearse and continue to use it as a quaint reminder of the quiet, quaint, good old days?

Click to expand...

It's been a mix of traditional and modern so far but I'm not sure how much US news is carrying. She was moved to Edinburgh by a modern hearse because of time, distance and security and she was moved from there to the airport for time and security reasons. She was transported from the airport to the palace by traditional hearse but when she was moved from the castle to Westminster Hall, she was transported by horse drawn gun carriage, which is traditionally how royals are transported.

It is my understanding that the next time she's moved will also follow tradition and a large team of sailors will pull the gun carriage.

howtobehappyhere said:

I came across this thread while I was dealing with the tough task of planning funerals for a family member. It's interesting to hear your thoughts on the Queen's funeral procession. I'm not sure how they managed to keep the horses from doing their business, but I suppose they must have some tricks up their sleeves!

Click to expand...

Nope... horses do what horse do. They do make horse diapers, but I've never seen them in general use... they're rather unsightly and cumbersome.

The Queen forbade the horses to chit.