# Breaking - The Queen is unwell (has died): 8 Sep 2022 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** breaking-news\ **Created:** [September 8, 2022, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212 "2022-09-08T11:49:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 32
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/621 "2022-09-15T21:07:59Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I suspect it has to do with the stress of the duty, which likely is emotional as well as physical. Some UK folks I know from another board were actually taking bets on when the first guard would pass out, and how many, so apparently this is a known risk for these events. > > Actually, standing perfectly still in one spot is harder than walking around. It doesn’t make sense if you haven’t done it, but once you’ve attempted you understand that standing that still is not at all natural for a human being. Your body relies significantly on voluntary muscle activity (e.g. the movements of limbs) to sort of massage veins and help blood get back to the heart. Without that, it tends to pool in remote parts of your body, particularly the lower extremities. This is a key factor in **[deep vein thrombosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_vein_thrombosis)** occurring in people who sit for long periods of time with little or no leg movement - most famously among passengers on long-haul flights. Likewise for anyone attempting to stand in one spot with as little movement as possible. If you’re waiting in line for tickets somewhere, you shift around a lot, move your arms, all kinds of subtle motions that help keep blood moving. But standing rigidly at attention? Unless you can subtly contract your calf and thigh muscles on a regular basis, you’re going to be at risk for fainting before too long. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/622 "2022-09-15T21:16:53Z")
How do the guards outside places like Buckingham Palace do it? They seem to be standing quite still for hours, though usually they’re at a distance from the public, so perhaps they’re moving slightly. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/623 "2022-09-15T21:21:47Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > How do the guards outside places like Buckingham Palace do it? like this: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_Wqulwx5Tdk/hqdefault.jpg "Royal Guard faints at the Buckingham Palace London !") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wqulwx5Tdk&t=25) **[This article](https://www.indy100.com/news/royal-guard-faints-queen-coffin)** claims that keeping your knees bent is helpful (so you’re tensing your leg muscles more), so maybe it comes down to training and mindfulness so that you actually follow through with this when you’re standing at your post? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/624 "2022-09-15T21:44:43Z")
What are those long white feathers on the shakos of one of the shifts of guards (they’re up now)? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/625 "2022-09-15T21:53:07Z")
> [@gkster](#): > > The queue tracker is now giving the expected wait times. It’s up to 9 hours, with the line 4.2 miles long. > Very strange, the website shows the wait time, but what’s showing up on the link instead is “Check TFL for latest travel info” > ETA: the wait time shows up when the link is clicked I wonder if they’ve used that path for a queue before because it’s quite brilliant - minimal street crossings, if any, and most of it on a path narrow enough to be sure you are on an actual path, and thus not snaking around to nowhere, but wide enough that you don’t feel cramped as long as you aren’t trying to walk faster than the prevailing foot traffic during busy times of the day. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/626 "2022-09-15T22:04:47Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > What are those long white feathers on the shakos of one of the shifts of guards (they’re up now)? Swan feathers. The guys in the beefeater uniforms are the Yeoman of the Guard, a ceremonial unit composed of retired army NCOs. The guys in the plumed helmets are the Gentleman at Arms, a ceremonial unit composed of retired army officers. > **[Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honourable_Corps_of_Gentlemen_at_Arms)** > > His Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms is a bodyguard to the British Monarch. Until 17 March 1834, they were known as The Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners. > The corps was formed as the Troop of Gentlemen in 1509 by King Henry VIII to act as a mounted escort, armed with spear and lance to protect the sovereign, in battle or elsewhere. Henry decided to have "this new and sumptuous Troop of Gentlemen composed of cadets of noble families and the highest order o... ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/627 "2022-09-15T22:09:02Z")
Oh my goodness. I knew that the Queen “owned” all the swans in the UK. Now Charles does. In the olden days they ate them-- not any more. > **[Britain's swans get new owner with royal succession](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-swans-get-new-owner-with-royal-succession-2022-09-12/)** > > Swans swimming along the bends of the River Thames and delighting visitors on riverbanks across Britain have a new owner. * * * * * * Interesting that those groups are made up of retirees. I thought some of them looked kind of… (ahem)… _elderly_. I can say that because I am, too. Additional risk of passing out, I’d think (poor circulation and whatnot). ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/628 "2022-09-15T22:19:37Z")
Look closely. They are not completely still. They are subtly shifting back and forth, from one foot to the other. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/629 "2022-09-15T23:20:19Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I knew that the Queen “owned” all the swans in the UK. Now Charles does. In the olden days they ate them-- not any more. > > ## [https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-swans-get-new-owner-with-royal-succession-2022-09-12/](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-swans-get-new-owner-with-royal-succession-2022-09-12/) What everyone knows about swans — [https://youtu.be/QFLaNHijvNk](https://youtu.be/QFLaNHijvNk) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/630 "2022-09-16T01:39:31Z")
Yikes. The Queue tracker now says (2:35 AM there) that the line is 4.9 miles long and the wait is 14 hours. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/631 "2022-09-16T05:03:24Z")
The queue has eased up a little, 3.6 miles long and 9 hours queuing time as of 6 AM in London. And I don’t want to hijack, but for those interested in amusing what3words location names, there’s a thread: > [@amusing.location.game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amusing-location-game/821563): > > It’s in Saudi Arabia. The idea behind [What3Words.com](http://What3Words.com) is pretty neat: describe every 3m x 3m square on the globe with a unique three-word combination. So eagle.sheep.horn describes a spot in front of Sydney Opera House, for example. Confusingly, empire.state.building describes a point on a road in the Kanagawa prefecture of Japan. There’s plenty of choice if you want to find a particularly apposite, amusing or just surreal location. Consider delicious.fresh.coffee found in Brazil, secret.agent… ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/632 "2022-09-16T07:36:30Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Interesting that those groups are made up of retirees. I thought some of them looked kind of… (ahem)… _elderly_. I can say that because I am, too. Additional risk of passing out, I’d think (poor circulation and whatnot). They’re ceremonial. The ‘real’ guards are the ones stood behind them, at each corner of the coffin. In fact, two current government ministers who are former soldiers and members of one of these ceremonial regiments (including the Defence Minister), took part in the vigil yesterday. > **[Cabinet ministers stand guard over Queen's coffin](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-62921909)** > > The defence secretary and Scottish secretary take part in the vigil as the monarch lies in state. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/633 "2022-09-16T07:44:47Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > But did the Queen ever wear RN or RAF uniform? If not, why not? I don’t think she did. I’m not sure why, except that she only ever wore uniform for the Trooping of the Colour Military parade (where the other unformed royals also wore the red jacket of the Guards regiments). Of course, she did actually serve in the army. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/634 "2022-09-16T09:10:22Z")
Entry to the queue has been paused because it is at capacity. I did think people might try to join to see the Princes Vigil. I’m not sure what people who intended to join it are supposed to do - I suspect the cafe’s around Southwark might be very busy this morning. The what3words for the end of the queue is navy.noises.overnight [![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2022/9/16/5e229431-c6c0-4b7c-adcf-6775f3dce56d.png) ](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2022/9/16/5e229431-c6c0-4b7c-adcf-6775f3dce56d.png) ---
**Author:** ![APB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/635 "2022-09-16T09:46:18Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > I did think people might try to join to see the Princes Vigil. Anyone doing that would inevitably be disappointed. If they do it how it was done in 1936 and 2002, the queue will be temporarily halted and only VIPs will be present. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/636 "2022-09-16T09:51:58Z")
Maybe, but they did the Princes Vigil in Edinburgh last week and the public were allowed to file past. It must have been remarkable to see for those lucky punters. [https://adfree.uk/theindependent/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/09/Queen-death-–-latest-news-King-Charles-to-visit-Northern.png](https://adfree.uk/theindependent/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/09/Queen-death-%E2%80%93-latest-news-King-Charles-to-visit-Northern.png) Perhaps the security considerations will be different for this. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/637 "2022-09-16T10:29:47Z")
Looking at the map for the queue I reckon it’ll have snaked its way the 60-odd miles to my east Kent home by some point this afternoon. If I could join it at the end of my road that’d save me a heck of a journey. I note they’ve paused entry to the queue. Do they not realise this is the UK? What will obviously happen is that there will now be a queue for the queue. That’s twice as appealing to us brits. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/638 "2022-09-16T13:20:18Z")
Who is this line of crotchety looking old men in red coats who came out a side door? Most of them are just walking by looking annoyed, very few of them quickly nodding their head towards the coffin. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/639 "2022-09-16T13:25:01Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > If I could join it at the end of my road that’d save me a heck of a journey. Fourteen hours of shuffling along? I keep having the irreverent thought that there isn’t even a good ride at the end of it. ---
**Author:** ![steepone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@steepone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steepone)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212/640 "2022-09-16T13:32:13Z")
I saw a shot of Harry from above the other day, he appears to getting pretty thin on top as well [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212.md?page=31) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-the-queen-is-unwell-has-died-8-sep-2022/971212.md?page=33)