Even a thicker layer of TV make-up can’t conceal the growing bags under Huw Edwards’ eyes.
Since Her Majesty’s passing 11 days ago, he has been nothing short of heroic.
For those pedantic enough to have criticised the BBC: Shame on you.
Where a nation has mourned not only a symbol of hope and tradition, but also shed a quiet tear for lost loved ones, Huw and familiar faces including Sophie Raworth and JJ Chalmers have kept us on an even keel.
And let’s face it, we need that right now.
Despite this, BBC complaints data reveals hundreds of viewers have quibbled about the news broadcasts for the day the Queen’s death was announced.
Some were irked by the sight of presenters, including Huw, wearing all black, hours before her death had been announced. Others felt the first evening’s reporting was “excessive”. There have even been grumblings that Strictly Come Dancing had been pushed back.
That people – albeit a darn sight fewer than after Prince Philip died – have felt the need to pick holes in the coverage, is childish and petty.
Criticising the coverage of one of the biggest historical events in the world as “excessive” is ludicrous.
This is a time for reflection, not for criticism.
The stories we’ve been hearing are reminders of how our beloved Queen has played a part in all our lives, one way
or another.
Despite the remarkable breadth of coverage across all channels, it’s still the Beeb I, and many others, turn to in times of national events.
The BBC’s coverage of Wednesday’s procession to the lying-in-state struck the perfect balance.
There was the marvellous, traditional pomp and ceremony of the procession and build-up.
There was the overwhelming emotion of seeing Prince William marching solemnly to the beat of the drum, behind King Charles and next to Harry.
A day later he himself admitted what we had all wondered: That it had brought back memories of him as a young boy walking behind his late mother Diana’s coffin in 1997.
Then there were the heart-warming anecdotes from some of our most cherished stars, like Sir David Attenborough and Dame Darcy Bussell.
For the millions who couldn’t pay their respects in person, the blanket TV coverage helped them feel connected to someone who meant so much, and evokes so many feelings and memories.
Never has the BBC’s future felt more secure.
And never has television’s power – to connect us all in this time of collective mourning – been so apparent.
