Japan Emperor, Empress head to UK for Funeral

To attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Saturday Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako left for Britain to pay respects to her and the British royal family who are considered in modern history as a model for Japan’s monarchy.

Between the royal families to attend the queen’s funeral the decision for the emperor and empress underscores the importance and the deep bond between the royal families. 

Because of a cultural belief based in the Shinto religion that considers death impure traditionally, a Japanese emperor stays away from funerals except for those of their own parents. 

As crown prince, former Emperor Akihito, attended the Queen’s 1953 coronation and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. In 1975 Queen Elizabeth visited Japan.

As the Emperor and Empress Naruhito and Masako’s trip to Britain is their first. Due to the pandemic the Queen’s invitation for them to visit following Naruhito’s 2019 ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne had to be postponed.

With their backs to the flag-draped coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward stood, their heads bowed.

Members of the public who had lined up for hours continued to file past as the royals stood vigil in the historic event to pay their last respects. The queen’s eight grandchildren will hold a similar vigil on Saturday.

In line for more than 24 hours before reaching Westminster Hall Friday afternoon officials said that people may have to stand. And they say that during the night it will be cold. 

Snaking along the banks of the River Thames, about 5 miles (8 kilometres) the line was long.

On more than 500 portable toilets authorities laid, while around 1,000 stewards and at any given time marshals were on duty.

Before Monday’s state funeral hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pay their respects.

In southern Turkey flower producers are working to meet high demand for the event in London.

After the queen’s death on Friday Turkish Cargo said that last week orders for flowers shot up by 90%. With demand and delivery on time suppliers chose air transport over trucks to cope.

On Friday as they left Cardiff Castle on a visit to Wales, the royal couple passed by the official mascot of the Third Battalion of The Royal Welsh.

As Lance Corporal Shenkin IV the goat is known. The furry white goat, has its own Twitter account and Facebook page which has metal tips on its horns.

With his wife King Charles appeared to share a joke about the military mascot.

In the line of mourners near Britain’s Houses of Parliament at lunchtime on Friday people spotted the former England captain. At 2 a.m. he is believed to have joined the queue and to have lined up for more than 10 hours with thousands of others.

After a park at the farthest end became full officials temporarily halted people joining the back of the line on Friday. To join the queue people who arrived were directed to holding areas and slowly allowed.

At Westminster Hall in Parliament until Monday morning the queen is due to lie in state, when her funeral will be held at nearby Westminster Abbey.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Stuart Cundy, said on Friday that the massive police operation surpasses even the 2012 Olympics, which were held in the British capital, and the celebrations earlier this year of the queen’s 70 years on the throne.

He said that “Aa a single event this is larger than the 2012 Olympics, it is larger than the Platinum Jubilee weekend”.

Later onwards, he added, “The range of officers, police staff and all those supporting the operation is truly immense”.

Among the 2,000 people attending the funeral service royalty and heads of state from all around the world are expected.  

Matteo Bruni, Vatican spokesman said in a brief written statement on Friday that Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, with states and international organizations who is secretary for relations, would attend the funeral at Westminster Abbey.

Previously the royal couple visited Scotland and Northern Ireland, following last week’s death of Queen Elizabeth II at age 96, the other nations making up the United Kingdom.

The new king is scheduled to receive faith leaders at Buckingham Palace in London last Friday before joining his siblings for a vigil around the queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall.

On Friday officials said that King Charles III’s sons, Prince William and his brother Prince Harry, will attend the 15-minute vigil.

William will stand at the head of the coffin and Harry at the foot, who is heir to the throne. Both princes, who are military veterans, will be in uniform.

On Friday evening the ceremony will follow a vigil by the queen’s four children.

To pay their last respects by filing past the coffin during the lying-in-state hundreds of thousands of people are expected, which began Wednesday and concludes Monday, the day of the queen’s funeral. 

No one will be allowed to join it for at least six hours. British officials said that the organized line was at capacity on Friday morning.

Source:- https://blogspacecap.com/japan-emperor-empress-head-to-uk-for-funeral/