At 2am this morning, police started sealing off roads around Westminster.
At 2:30am, an alarm woke your correspondent from his slumber and he languidly crawls out of bed and out to the Night Bus.
At 3:30am, he is in Trafalgar Square wandering past a lot of police stopping what little traffic there is from going down Whitehall or The Mall.
This was the rehearsal for pomp and ceremonial bit of the Royal Wedding to check that everything works as expected.
What was not really known is when it would actually take place. I knew the roads would be closed between 2am and 7am, and had been informed yesterday that Soldiers would start leaving Wellington Barracks at 4am, and leave Westminster Abbey at 6:15am.
The guess was go down The Mall to Westminster Abbey then come back again – which what they were going to do on the day. Nope, they went around the back to the Abbey and only practiced the return route – but what a practice it was.
Anyway, back to The Mall, and shortly before 5am, we could start to hear soldiers marching and the traditional eff, aie, eff, aie,eff, aie,eff, aie, Halt! coming ever closer. Various groups marched along and were spaced at seven paces apart to line the Mall. Later an officer came along with a measuring stick and moved everyone to the “Army approved” seven paces distance.
After that another hour of hanging around, chatting to the police and a couple of fellow photographers. Glaring in that British way at a Japanese TV crew who not only kept trying to get on to the road, but also blocking my view. I was there first! They went away eventually.
I was based by a huge sodium floodlight, which would have washed out all the colour from photos, but as I was expecting this to all take place at 4am, would have at least given me some light to work with. As time wore on it got progressively lighter until the floodlight was turned off. Oh.
Several early morning joggers or people trying to get to work were stopped from crossing the Mall, either by genial police, or a sharp bark from a solider – this was their domain now, and no one entered it.
Several officers wandered around inspecting the troops, correcting a wayward hat here, a laugh there, and an admonishment about slack shoe-laces for one chap.
A squirrel also joined in and inspected the troops, although he was probably more interested in nuts than weddings.
Slowly the light was coming up and shortly after 6:15, we could see the first of the ceremonial procession coming along.
Very fast with State coaches, lots of mounted military and several Official Cars.
And then it was over.
Although it is easier to take photos in the daylight of an early morning, I must admit I would have preferred to have them in the dark as even though most of them would have been barely fleeting glimpses in the dark, it would have looked a lot more atmospheric.
Quibble aside, worth hanging around for the best part of four hours to get the photos and witness the event and while it didn’t have royal hands waving from the carriages, I doubt many people will get the clear view of everything that I had this morning.
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The BBC had a film crew by the media bunker outside Westminster Abbey so they filmed a bit there as well.
Once the military army passed by, somewhat later another army passed along – the street sweepers.
I knew you’d be there Ian, I just knew it!
He he 🙂
Having missed several State Opening of Parliament rehearsals, I had to try and photograph this one at least.
Ian,
On your recommendation I to went to practice this morning. It was great fun and a real joy to see all the pomp without the crowds.
Thanks,
Peter
Just a bit of a correction, the “measuring stick” is called a pacestick and the “officers” are not commissioned officers by definition. All ceremonial and dress corrections would have been carried out by Sergeant Majors (Warrant Officers).
I watched a Trooping of the Colour rehearsal once. Everything down to the last detail, with soldier in Queen’s place stepping out of carriage to inspect troops. Hilarious. And complete with fainting guardsman.
Interesting and, as you say, a great viewing position!
great photo’s Ian, do you mind if I ask what kind of camera did you use?
Just a Cannon something or other.
loved the whole report
Hi,
Just posted my photos from the royal wedding rehearsal if you are interested.
http://www.yourphotographs.co.uk/Events/Royal-Wedding-Rehearsal/
Thanks again for the info about the timing.
Peter
The Royal Wedding, was great! I have watched from the begining to the final word. Everybody was looking great and these photos are really expressive. That squirrel was really funny.