But this is still impressive. On the whole, the discipline and the sense of historical presence that this week has seen make an impression. For someone whose whole life has been preoccupied with calls for political authority, this has been a fascinating experience of political symbolism the strength of this symbolism, in the midst of all journalistic deconstruction and modernity. There is a smooth succession of thrones, full of tradition, but with clear new features. That Charles spontaneously met the people directly, which Elizabeth never did, is an important sign. It is said that the funeral was seen by billion people and is the biggest media event to date.

I remember the funeral of Winston Churchill in When his coffin was carried up the Thames on the way to the village of Bladon where he was to be buried, the dock workers lowered their large cranes in respect. The Queen did not receive a tribute of this kind, but the cannon float used whatsapp mobile number list by Queen Victoria and Churchill, the presence of naval guests who pulled the float and not least the people from the health service who went first in the funeral procession all this reminded us of how the Queen herself wished it. It was classy and real. The police have had to strike a balance between control and safety on the one hand and the consideration of freedom of expression on the other.

It mostly went well, although republican Protestants in Edinburgh were arrested and too harshly. Those who thought Charles would skip a generation and hand the throne directly to his son William have been wrong. Instead, we have seen a king with a pace that would lead a much younger man Charles is In a round dance of travels, he made a point of getting to the other three nations of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In Wales he met with widespread opposition, but spoke a little Welsh to calm his nerves. Commentators here point to the huge controversy surrounding the coffin of Elizabeth II in Scotland.