King Charles made last-minute changes to Queen's funeral procession so crowds could 'properly see' him
London, UK: It is said that King Charles altered the Queen's funeral procession at the last minute so that the public could see him "properly." His Majesty wanted changes in the final days even though it had been planned since the 1960s. He was particularly concerned about how the horses were being positioned in the procession and worried that he and other senior royals who were following the coffin might have to avoid horse poop, reported Mirror.
One royal source stated, "Charles felt he wouldn’t be seen properly and that either he ought to be on horseback or, if he was walking, then the horses should move back." The source added, "there was also the issue of 'Would the new King end up having to sidestep horse muck?’ which would not be appropriate."
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Operation London Bridge, the process that would follow the monarch's death, had been under development at Buckingham Palace for many years. However, a few minor adjustments were made to the schedule in the days before the state funeral on September 19, after Queen's death on September 8. Four days prior to last Monday's state funeral, the official arrangements made by the Palace were made public. They specified that when the Queen's funeral procession left Westminster Abbey to be pulled to Wellington Arch following the service, horses would be ridden behind it.
However, these plans were abandoned as a result of the King's intervention. Some of the animals were pushed further back in the procession, and the horse no longer walked before the royal group. The King's choice turned out to be wise. Military personnel and bands had to cross poop piles. Even the roads outside Westminster Abbey were covered in sand to prevent the horses and carriages from slipping.
Thousands of people gathered on the streets of London as the coffin was transported from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch via a gun carriage. It was the largest ceremonial event since World War II and the first state funeral held at the abbey since Sir Winston Churchill's in 1965.
Queen Elizabeth II has now been reunited in death with her beloved husband, Prince Philip. Her parents, King George VI and Queen Mother Elizabeth, as well as her sister, Princess Margaret, were interred there. The public and tourists will be able to view the spot as part of the Windsor castle tours.