Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Wednesday’s front pages lead on the Queen’s coffin being brought back to Buckingham Palace. The coffin arrived back in England following 24 hours of lying in state in Scotland.
The Queen’s coffin is to be taken to Westminster Hall today – where she will lie in state for four days before her funeral on Monday 19 September.
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Queen’s coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace
Nearly all the newspapers carry a picture of the hearse carrying Queen Elizabeth’s coffin to Buckingham Palace.
The Times headlines the front page “Home to Rest” alongside the words from Princess Anne, who said: “I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life. It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys”.
The Daily Express says “Home … For One Last Time,” while the Daily Mail says “Home to her family” and the Sun says “Welcome Home Ma’am”.
There is heavy coverage of the Queen’s journey from Edinburgh to London. The Guardian says the RAF plane with the coffin on board “taxied slowly as if carrying fine China”. Whilst the Times highlights motorists leaping from cars to clap and lorry drivers pulling over to show respect. The paper calls the journey “extraordinary.”
The Daily Telegraph reports that as the coffin approached Buckingham Palace, there were “cheers, applause and the glow of countless camera phones.” The Daily Mirror sums up the scene as being “led home by the lights of love.”
William and Harry to walk behind the coffin
The Metro reports on the news Prince William and Prince Harry will walk behind the Queen’s coffin in today’s procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. The paper claims the brothers walking in the funeral procession will bring back memories of when they walked behind their mother’s coffin, just over 25 years ago when William was 15 and Harry was 12.
The Guardian reports that dozens of Clarence House staff have been given redundancy notices as the offices of King Charles III and the Queen Consort move to Buckingham Palace. The paper says private secretaries, the finance office and household staff were told the news during a thanksgiving service for the Queen in Edinburgh on Monday. The paper quotes a source who said the announcement left employees “livid”.
The Daily Mirror notes the return of the Platinum Jubliee knitted postbox toppers – in honour of the late Queen. A crown in Newark has been updated to include a black mourning ribbon.
Cost of living crisis support
Away from royal news, the Financial Times looks at the cost of living crisis.
“Businesses face delays to access £150bn energy support package,” is the stark warning from the Financial Times. The paper says in recent meetings with the government, executives have been told that the scheme might not be ready until November.
