Correspondent in London,
Like a silent river whose waters separate around the catafalque, the crowd flows from the grand staircase before splitting into two lines to pass in front of the royal coffin.
The latter is covered with the Royal Standard, the royal standard.
Above, the '
Imperial State Crown
', resting on a purple velvet cushion surrounded by flowers including white roses and white dahlias as well as foliage from Balmoral and Windsor Castles.
At the four corners watch soldiers from the
Household Division
, the
Blues and Royals
and the
Life Guards
.
Also taking turns are men in ceremonial uniform from another age, the
Gentlemen at Arms
, the
Royal Company of Archers
and the
Yeomen of the Guard
.
Head down, saber or pike pointing down.
They are relieved every twenty minutes, with a solemn ritual punctuated by blows of the cane on the ground which echo in the large building.
A "
vigil of princes
", a tradition already observed twice...
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