THE hours before the announcement from Buckingham Palace were filled with waiting, rain and a sense of collectiveness knowing a change was coming.
In the grounds of the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, visitors continued to enter the attraction, gardens and café as cameras and tripods were set up behind the walls to capture the flag being lowered. As the situation progressed throughout Thursday afternoon, newsrooms up and down the country had realised that an announcement was imminent.
The confusion from tourists as to what was going on was evident in their faces. They pointed at cameras with curiosity and intrigue, a hint of excitement even, and when one tour group leader exited the tourist attraction she asked a cameraman: "What is going on?"
He told her what was happening, and the group instantly shifted in energy from intrigue to sorrow. The woman pointed out that he could be standing in the rain with his camera set up, and nothing could happen for several hours or even today.
He nodded and shrugged. The tourist nodded and thanked him for letting them know and returned to their tour bus.
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The announcement of a monarch’s death had not taken place since 1952 when the Queen’s father, King George VI, died. The rain falling non-stop or time ticking on would not deter the reporters on site from capturing this historical moment.
The first cameras arrived outside of the palace and the Queen's Gallery, which features changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection, at 3.30pm. Both the BBC and STV interviewed passers-by, and the public all said the same thing. No matter their opinion on monarchy, it is very strange and sad to lose a dedicated woman and constant in all our lives.
BBC Scotland, Edinburgh Live, LBC and others joined the press group setting up for shots with umbrellas and flasks. Who knew how long they would have to brave the rain?
The rain did not stop and in the Scottish Parliament across the road, everyone was on standby to begin procedures if in fact any announcement was to come through. Operation Unicorn – the contingency plan for if the Queen was to die in Scotland was now being spoken of.
From 4pm onwards, people simply waited. Press checked phones for updates, and tourists continued to take photos around Parliament and the Queen’s Gallery whilst keeping one eye on the flag before moving on to the next attraction in the capital.
Passers-by stood and waited by the gates with the press. One man stopped whilst out for a run. He took his earphones out and looked around to see what was going on. He stayed and stood in his running gear at the gate. He waited and two hours later at 6.30pm witnessed the flag being lowered.
A low hush went over the crowd outside the gates and even though we all knew it was to come, to actually see the flag move stopped many in their tracks. The reality of it sank in. The Queen was dead.
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The crowd then moved forward to wrap round the gate to witness the royal announcement being pinned up. Press took photos of it, whilst locals, tourists and passers-by of all ages read the notice and saw the words “The King and Queen Consort” being applied to the present for the first time in their lives.
Opinion of an institution did not play part in this moment. A long life of a woman who had dedicated herself to duty, inspired millions and played her role in history was gone. A family had lost a member. A mother and grandmother.
Around the corner, the Scottish Parliament lowered the Union Jack, Saltire, EU, and Ukrainian flags to half-mast. Salisbury Crags were in the background covered in mist. The atmosphere of heavy raindrops and air fit the moment of mourning.
The Queen chose for her final moments to be lived at Balmoral. Scotland was the place in which she was “never happier”. This country and landscape provide a unique hug of home for many who visit so for a life lived in public grandeur, it seems fitting for her final moments to be ones of private comfort and happiness.
As the flag was lowered, a gold unicorn on the walls of Holyrood Palace was in sight looking over the people witnessing a moment of history. Operation Unicorn had begun.
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