Greetings from London. A quick update on my trip to pay my respects to Queen Elizabeth II and a look at what is inside my carefully-packed bag.
I’m in line and want to give a huge shoutout to the hundreds of folks who have volunteered their time to make this a smooth process as well as the Naval officers who are on hand to make sure everyone behaves themselves. Restroom facilities are readily available as is water. The line has moved quicker than I thought it would.
People have not been all that pleasant or talkative in line, which has surprised me, but it has been chilly. I’m still hoping to file past her majesty, but do have a flight back to the USA today that I cannot miss.
Mourners are strictly limited in terms of the size of their bag and what kind of items can be brought into the Palace of Westminster. As queue times for those who joined the line later top 24 hours, those restrictions make staying comfortable difficult.
I’m traveling very light from Los Angeles, with only my Nomad Lane Bento bag. Here’s what I’ve packed it with:
- Outer pocket: passport, cash, mask, notebook
- Upper left pocket: snacks, including nuts, beef jerky, and a homemade scone from a dear friend
- Upper right pocket: all power cords
- Middle pocket: laptop, book
- Rear pocket: sleep kit (blanket, pillow), power bank, toiletries, two clean shirts, underwear, socks
For a trip in which I will be spending an extended time standing in lines and am essentially filing past the late Queen and then immediately flying home, I wanted to pack as light as possible.
Even so, I’ve been told that my bag may or may not work because it has “too many” compartments. It will be up to the palace guards, if and when I reach that point. Should my bag be declined, there is apparently a place I can leave it.
I’ll update you on my progress later today.
Saw the queue up close yesterday. No disrespect, but I Can’t imagine spending hours to walk by a casket when there is so much else to explore in London. That said it was definitely worth checking out the scene.
It’s not Matthew’s fault that they hover
I mean no disrespect
It’s his right to be hellish
I trust you won’t be sporting the tshirt-under-sport coat look for such a solemn event. I’m flying to London tomorrow. I hope restaurants and such will be open for what is a non-standard bank holiday.
The book you are carrying looks interesting. What are your thoughts on sedevacantism? It would seem that Protestantism has defeated Catholicism. I know folx who are fleeing to Orthodoxy or strongly considering it.
I’m wearing a suit.
Do they allow cell phones inside Westminster? Not Matthew but I wonder how many morons are in line just to snap a selfie with the casket and post on social media. Social media is a disgrace. BTW, why do you need a mask? Just wondering if that is still required in England.
Why so angry?
Lol.
Mobile phones permitted, but cannot be brought out. Absolutely no photography.
Thank you for this. We all need to make sure the old woman is really dead. Why do you think charles is there? He is not taking any chances of her waking up and taking back the crown. I bet charles is hiding a gun.
Don’t forget to tell the British royalty that you remain their loyal servant even though we overthrew their rule. Kiss charles feet for a dramatic effect. And people, please don’t take your young kids there. That is no place for young kids. Andrew is reportedly three too.
Maybe she will come back like Emperor Palpetine in Star Wars.
Curious about the bag. As I’m looking for something like this. You show that you have a pocket for clothes does it also fit socks, pair of pants, undies. Since you only mention shirts and toiletries, as I’d need to pack those too
Ha! I packed those too. It all fits. The bag is a little heavy on the shoulders even now – but it can even fit an extra pair of shoes, if necessary.
Same guy who criticized the Apartheid post here,
As a Brit, I really appreciate you taking the time to pay respects to the late Queen.
The whole country is in mourning and shock, and along with the tough forthcoming winter it’s going to be a really challenging few months.
Appreciate it.
(and I know I spell words like ‘criticize’ with a -z, I went to school in the US)
You’re in shock that a 96 year old woman died?
If Biden dies tomorrow, I won’t be shocked.
What does Biden have to do with a 96 year old Queen? You people have nothing else in your lives do you….I understand it is wishful thinking, but grow up.
Hope you get through the line in time to catch your return flight! Glad to see you are more prepared this time and the restroom facilities more prepared also, compared to our time viewing President Reagan’s casket.
“People have not been all that pleasant or talkative in line.”
Welcome to the UK. More precisely, welcome to London.
I was about to comment on yesterday’s post that you shouldn’t bother coming over, as the queue (line) had reached capacity, with the Government stopping people from joining it for over 6 hrs. But it looks like you got here just at the right time. Good for you.
Hope you’re able to file past Her Late Majesty’s casket and still make your flight back to LA at the end of the day in time for your meetings tomorrow.
Hope you are able to see the Queen and also make your flight. I’d have flown to London too and done the same as you if I didn’t have work commitments. Looking forward to a full report of your experience.