Prince George at The Queen's funeral?

Glorianny In 20 years time they could just as easily deeply regret and feel quite bitter that they were not allowed to go to their great grandmother's funeral.

No one can tell how any individual, young or old, will react to a particular event in 20 years time, least of all the individual involved.

What a very unpleasant post Glorianny, ut solet.

There will also be some younger than 9 at the headteacher’s funeral tomorrow. Even younger than 9, a child may possibly have had some say in the matter otherwise it’s the parents’ decision, something people may have differing opinions about, but not something to make nasty comments about.

It's obviously up to the parents in each individual circumstances, but I wouldn't have had any issues with taking my children to a funeral at that age. I lost all three of my grandparents at quite a young age (my paternal grandfather died before I was born) and I remember feeling quite sad that I was never given a chance to say goodbye to them. As M0nica says, death is part of life and I think it's far healthier for them in the long run to be given that opportunity to say goodbye to a loved one. Of course, if the child doesn't want to go, they shouldn't be made to.

My first funeral was over 60 years ago for a school mate who had died at 11. The class were told we had to go and be the choir at her funeral. We were sitting close to her distraught family and had been warned on no account to cry. I did cry though, it was so sad to see their distress and was roundly admonished by the teacher as we trooped back to school.
On the back of that, years later , I can’t believe it now, but I couldn't face my grandmothers funeral because I knew I would cry.
Our family is small so no further funerals apart from my mum and in laws, which of course I went to, so excluding those I have only been to about 5, my social and family circle is clearly very small. My dd has already been to about 40.
What I am trying to say is yes children can be traumatised so it needs to be thought through, carefully, but in principle I am not against it.

Very young members of the Royal Family were present at Westminster Hall when the Queen’s children held their vigil, so they have obviously been well prepared and would be aware of the formalities involved.
There is a world of difference between witnessing a funeral, and having an active role of walking behind a coffin as William and Harry did.
I am sure the presence of Prince George and Princess Charlotte would be delicately handled.

My five grandchildren aged from 9 down to 5 all came to Gt Grandads funeral. Admittedly a little less public than tomorrows on leavingthe chapel l the eldest took my hand and whispered ‘Granma. When’s lunch?..’ I felt my dad would have loved that…

My grandkids attended their Daddy’s funeral when they were 4 and 6 it was on the advice of a childrens bereavement charity They said if a child is left out they often are regretful when older
Again they said they can have less chance of understanding that the person has actually died The finality if it whist heartbreaking is the truth, when not attending they will often believe the parent or grandparent is ‘somewhere’ just that they are not in touch any more that they ve left them because they didn’t want to be with them
When they were older 11 and 9 they attended their grandads funeral as they had been very close to him they didn’t attend their Nans as they d only known her in a home with Alzheimer’s
It is up to the family of course but I don’t think children should be hidden away from death

My grandsons went to their nan's funeral (the youngest was ten, the other fourteen)

Then, less than a year later they went to their mums funeral.

Ooh the youngest was nine, perhaps.

My thoughts exactly Ginny

M0nica

Glorianny In 20 years time they could just as easily deeply regret and feel quite bitter that they were not allowed to go to their great grandmother's funeral.

No one can tell how any individual, young or old, will react to a particular event in 20 years time, least of all the individual involved.

I'm sure should they wish to it would be quite possible for the RF to arrange a time for any of the children involved to have some private time mourning their great grandmother and paying their respects. That's a great deal different to attending a state funeral. One of the criticisms often made on these threads is of celebrities who use or involve their children in publicity or promotions, to my mind that is exactly what the RF do, but because they are royal it's different.

I didn’t take our daughters to my husband’s funeral, they were
5 and 7 years. Police escort, police lining the streets and their
tribute at the grave, too much for them. Later in the day the
three of us went to his grave and we talked about death and
our faith.

I'm sure that Prince William will know what is best fr George and Charlotte having been through the ordeal of his mother's funeral which was being broadcast to the world.

It's a very long day for them, if they do go.

Glorianny

I would imagine at least one of the children will be paraded, after all that seems to be one of their functions doesn't it? Show the public how cute the next generation of royals are. Perhaps it's a way of drawing attention away from the dysfunctional adults.

You really do take the bloody biscuit.
Inside your head must be a terrible place to be.

MerylStreep

Glorianny

I would imagine at least one of the children will be paraded, after all that seems to be one of their functions doesn't it? Show the public how cute the next generation of royals are. Perhaps it's a way of drawing attention away from the dysfunctional adults.

You really do take the bloody biscuit.
Inside your head must be a terrible place to be.

Well if thinking that all children, regardless of who their parents are, need protection and care, rather than exposure and exploitation, is terrible, then I guess it is.
But it would be much more terrible if I believed it was OK for children to be brought up in a goldfish bowl, and used to prop up an outdated and crumbling organisation.

wish there was a "like" button.Well said * Glorianny*

Of course we do all know that this will have already been discussed and decided probably some time ago and that it’s just being whipped up by a press who have run out of things to print.

Don’t we?

His parents decision and I'm sure it's been given plenty of thought.

Lathyrus

Of course we do all know that this will have already been discussed and decided probably some time ago and that it’s just being whipped up by a press who have run out of things to print.

Don’t we?

Yes

Likewise on Gransnet

Lathyrus

Of course we do all know that this will have already been discussed and decided probably some time ago and that it’s just being whipped up by a press who have run out of things to print.

Don’t we?

Yes we do. And GN and MN have a good set of examples of the reactions they hoped to whip up, complete with the unpleasant comments.

because of the thousands of people coming to file past the catafalque over several days it has all had to be 'stage managed' so to speak, with the Queen's children keeping vigil on two seperate days then the grandchildren keeping vigil That has all gone so well that it has now been suggested that William and Kate bring George to the funeral, . the public will like that.! I think it's right that he should attend....

the very small Great grandchildren were in Westminster hall the other day.with their parents the grandchildren. Peter's two savannah and Isla and zara's mia and lena yet yet we haven't seen George.

Hmmmm difficult 1.... we are talking about the Royal family here which is worlds away from Joe Public, so I am presuming its an appropriate thing to do !

Glorianny

Do you suppose in 20+years one of those children might possibly be saying "I went because it seemed to be what was expected of me, but it haunts me to this day?"
Just wondering.

On the other hand, in 20+ years they could equally be saying "I wanted to go but they wouldn't let me, so I never did say a proper goodbye to my beloved greatgrandmother. I had to stay at home with a nanny"

From today’s newspapers -

^Prince William and Kate are considering taking their eldest son, nine year old George, to the Queen's funeral at the request of senior advisors.
The new Prince and Princess of Wales have been told it will send a "powerful and symbolic" message.
Aides have told his parents that seeing the young Prince attend the funeral of the late monarch - whom he affectionately called "Gan Gan", would be good for the public.^

This is similar the argument that the government of the day used to urge the RF to agree to Harry’s participation in his mother’s funeral procession and that hasn’t exactly turned out well. Apparently they thought there could be a bad reaction to Prince Charles’s presence and Harry would be a distraction.