The proclamation on TV

[Maclintick]

Did they provide one of those for Prince William when he did his signing, as it would appear he is left handed. He uses the"hook" approach as did my LH sibling ie hand over the top of the writing line, but my daughter writes upright - as a right hander would but with the pen in the left hand.

I didn’t spot whether Prince William used a left-curving nib, but like you I did notice that he was using the “hook” technique of curling the left hand around. I write in the same fashion as your daughter, but my legibility has deteriorated markedly in the computer age. My late aunt, undoubtedly the cleverest in our family, was forced by her teachers to use her right hand despite being a leftie, but to be fair that was getting on for a century ago...

[muzzer]

I’m a leftie and have relatively recently started writing in longhand again. I use a tissue as a blotter, as I now remember learning to do rather a long time ago at school, so that I don’t have to contort my hand. This is wholly OT of course, except that it rather strains credulity that nobody thought out the process of. HMK C3 signing a large number of pieces of paper with a pen in public.

[LHC]

I’m a leftie and have relatively recently started writing in longhand again. I use a tissue as a blotter, as I now remember learning to do rather a long time ago at school, so that I don’t have to contort my hand. This is wholly OT of course, except that it rather strains credulity that nobody thought out the process of. HMK C3 signing a large number of pieces of paper with a pen in public.

Having previously had to arrange for a pen to be provided for the Queen to sign documents on a few occasions, I suspect that many organisations purchase a brand new pen for these events (as I was encouraged to do). This means that the pen is often untested and potentially leaky. I always made sure that the pen had been used a few times and fully tested before it was presented to the Queen to prevent her ending up with inky fingers.

Having said that, given that it is a central part of the Privy Council Clerk’s job to arrange for the Sovereign to sign stuff, you’d think they’d be well aware of the potential pitfalls.

As for the Proclamation, I think everyone used the same pen, so William was not given a left-handed pen. When Charles and William had to sign the subsequent Acts and papers, they both used the same fountain pen, but the Privy Council members counter-signing appeared to be using a separate felt tip pen.

[cat]

Can you say which psalm it was please? Also the anthem following? I was watching on the Red Button channel 601 without commentary and wasn't paying proper attention until too late.

139 and then Bairstow’s Jesu the very thought of thee

The service is now available here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLIJwAjhLvc

[oddoneout]

I didn’t spot whether Prince William used a left-curving nib, but like you I did notice that he was using the “hook” technique of curling the left hand around. I write in the same fashion as your daughter, but my legibility has deteriorated markedly in the computer age. My late aunt, undoubtedly the cleverest in our family, was forced by her teachers to use her right hand despite being a leftie, but to be fair that was getting on for a century ago...

My grandmother was likewise forced to desist with the sinister, but I think she was more than a little ambidextrous so it didn't cause too many problems; she had lovely handwriting. She also was a skilled stenographer so didn't have to write as much as would otherwise be the case; even short personal letters were more often than not typed.

[Serial_Apologist]

The last few days + the prospect of more to come, have brought home to me the advantages of certain religious traditions of burying their dead within 24hrs.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

The last few days + the prospect of more to come, have brought home to me the advantages of certain religious traditions of burying their dead within 24hrs.

[Petrushka]

139 and then Bairstow’s Jesu the very thought of thee

The service is now available here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLIJwAjhLvc

Thanks. Didn't recognise the Bairstow but liked it.

[cat]

Thanks. Didn't recognise the Bairstow but liked it.

I think the psalm was composed by James O’Donnell, not sure whether it was for the occasion or whether it’s had previous outings.

[oddoneout]

The last few days + the prospect of more to come, have brought home to me the advantages of certain religious traditions of burying their dead within 24hrs.

Would it actually make a significant difference if that was the case? There would still have been the blathering on TV and radio, the ceremonials, some form of funeral cortege, and even if the lying in state bit was missed out wouldn't there be large numbers of people wanting to visit the grave, with yet more meeja blathering on?

[smittims]

Strictly speaking, you're right. But I think frances-iom was just saying in a humorous way 'let's just get it over with'.

I shan't be watching the funeral; I admired the late Queen, but I don't think funerals are a spectator sport. If I were a friend or relative, or expected in some official capacity, I'd be there, but as it is I'll be doing something else.

They've done their best to make us all watch, by closing the shops and shutting down the other channels, but I'm all for asserting The Right to Say 'No'.

[Nick Armstrong]

Strictly speaking, you're right. But I think frances-iom was just saying in a humorous way 'let's just get it over with'.

I shan't be watching the funeral; I admired the late Queen, but I don't think funerals are a spectator sport. If I were a friend or relative, or expected in some official capacity, I'd be there, but as it is I'll be doing something else.

They've done their best to make us all watch, by closing the shops and shutting down the other channels, but I'm all for asserting The Right to Say 'No'.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/15/dissenting-voices-royal-mourning-queen-silenced-cancel-culture

[smittims]

Well said, Polly. Thanks, Nick.

[Nick Armstrong]

Well said, Polly. Thanks, Nick.

Also, this: https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...mourning-queen

[smittims]

Thanks again.

I was heartened by Stephen Reicher's article. It's good to know that there are people analysing these events intelligently. It reminds me of the good old days of Mass Observation, Tom Harrisson, etc.