SPEAKER of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said nothing should “overshadow” the Queen’s funeral which he described as “the most important event the world will ever see”.
Two thousand people including world leaders and foreign royals are set to gather inside Westminster Abbey on Monday for the funeral.
Many in London are still queuing to see the Queen’s coffin before Monday.
Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Hoyle said: “We should not allow anything to overshadow the most important event the world will ever see and that’s the funeral of her Majesty and the passing of her Majesty has brought people together.
“So we shouldn’t be distracted by others and I think that’s the problem that we’re seeing.”
Since the Queen’s death, there have been instances of people voicing anti-royal sentiments including at the proclamation of King Charles III in Edinburgh and as the Queen’s funeral procession made its way down the Royal Mile.
A 22-year-old man was arrested for shouting abuse at Prince Andrew whilst protesters also held a freedom of speech demonstration outside St Giles’ Cathedral.
People have trouble believing he actually said this. https://t.co/dlD2TvRukB pic.twitter.com/V6DHILjRdH
— Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) September 18, 2022
Fears over the arrests of some protesters were raised by Scottish politicians from various parties.
Hoyle continued: “People always want a different story and a different angle, what I want to do is keep focused, this is about the royal family, this is about their grief, this is about the people of this country coming together.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer also urged protesters to show “respect” to those mourning the Queen and not to “ruin” their opportunity to say a private “thank you” to the late monarch.
