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Concern Over Covid Boosters And Baby Scans Cancelled For Queen’s Funeral

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Patients are expressing concern that some Covid booster jabs, flu vaccinations, as well as key hospital appointments, are being cancelled ahead of the Queen’s funeral on September 19 since it was made a last-minute Bank Holiday.

Kate Brodie, 62, a retired NHS GP who is about to start a second round of chemotherapy for breast cancer, had specifically timed the date of her Covid booster so it fell before her hospital treatment started.

The vaccine was booked for September 19. However Brodie, who lives in south Devon, says she received a text message on September 12 saying the appointment had been cancelled due to the unexpected bank holiday.

“Having cancer is a huge stress with all the worry about survival, the process of going through gruesome treatment and hoping to continue to avoid Covid 19 while my immune system is down,” she tells HuffPost UK.

“The death of the Queen is very sad, but the reaction by NHSE [NHS England] to cancel delivery of much-needed services at short notice will cause harm and hardship to many.”

Many GP practices across England will be closed for the Bank Holiday, which has been given to allow individuals, businesses and other organisations to pay their respects to the Queen on the day of her state funeral.

A letter from Dr Ursula Montgomery, director of primary care at NHS England, said that out-of-hours services will be in place during the day to meet patients’ urgent primary medical care needs.

The funeral has come at a busy time for the NHS, as it implements its Covid booster and flu vaccination programmes ahead of the winter.

A text message from one GP surgery on the outskirts of London, seen by HuffPost UK, said flu vaccine appointments scheduled for this week would need to be rescheduled by a few days because of “the unfortunate news the nation is facing at the moment”.

Dr Helen Salisbury, a GP and medical educator from Oxford, explained on Twitter how a last minute bank holiday can be a “nightmare” for those trying to run health services, especially with lots of patients already booked in.

“What to do?” she tweeted. “Implore staff to work and pay extra? Reschedule and delay all the appointments?”

Other staff working in general practice responded to say that even when they do open on Bank Holidays, they often aren’t busy. Some added that they suspect lots of patients won’t turn up because they’ll be watching the funeral.

Scheduled Covid boosters are still going ahead in care homes, said NHS England, which has also issued guidance urging clinics to stay open to deliver the boosters “where there is a high population need”.

But a report by openDemocracy found thousands of non-urgent hospital appointments – for issues such as hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery, maternity checks and some cancer treatments – are being postponed.

One pregnant woman revealed how her foetal scan had been cancelled, leaving her anxious about her baby’s health.

“I’m really disappointed,” she told openDemocracy. “Yes, it’s a routine scan, but that’s another week or two until I’m seen and wondering whether my baby is healthy – which means quite a lot of anxiety, sitting and waiting.”

Kate Brodie has since tried to rebook her Covid booster for the next cycle, but was told there were no dates free near to where she lives.

“Thankfully I have found a centre 15 miles away that I can attend on Sunday instead,” she says. “I am lucky I am mobile and have transport to reach the further venue.”

Meanwhile, Greg Hadfield, 66, from Brighton, also found out his Covid booster vaccine appointment on September 19 has been cancelled and is now having to travel nearly 40 minutes by car to get another one.

The 66-year-old was originally invited to have the booster at his local Waitrose. However because the store will now be closed for the Bank Holiday – as many supermarkets will be – his appointment won’t go ahead.

“When I tried to re-book for another day at the same centre, the system offered only dates that were 14 days-plus ahead, by which time I will be abroad for a month,” he tells HuffPost UK.

He has managed to book an appointment 40 minutes away for the same date, September 19, which hasn’t been cancelled – so far.

“I am just relieved to get the booster before leaving for Turkey and Greece later this month,” he says.

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Some Odd Things Are Happening As Britain Mourns The Queen

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Queen Elizabeth II’s death is being marked by a period of national mourning, with the late monarch’s funeral taking place next Monday once a series of royal protocols are followed.

The protracted memorial has created a vacuum which is being filled by some curious behaviour.

Too many marmalade sandwich tributes

Mourners are being urged not to leave Paddington bears and marmalade sandwiches among the floral tributes to the Queen.

The Royal Parks said on Monday no gifts or artefacts will be accepted and that non-floral objects should not be taken.

The shrines at royal residences over the last few days have included tributes such as teddy bears, Corgi soft toys, balloons and marmalade sandwiches in a nod to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee sketch with Paddington Bear.

“The Royal Parks are suggesting that there are enough Paddingtons and marmalade sandwiches in the parks at the moment,” BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent said outside Buckingham Palace on Monday morning.

“So please feel free to bring flowers, but maybe don’t bring anymore Paddingtons or marmalade sandwiches for now.”

Mother’s funeral cancelled

On the James O’Brien show on LBC radio, a caller told the presenter her mother’s funeral would not go ahead as it was on the same day as the Queen’s.

She said: “The funeral directors phoned us around 9 o’clock this morning and said ‘I’m sure you know why I’m ringing’. I didn’t. We’d had a few people contacting us over the weekend to say ‘had anything changed’ and we said of course not.”

The crematorium was very “matter of fact” that it would be closed next Monday, she said.

The caller added: “It feels like one of those decisions that can be made on paper very easily, but there’s no appreciation of the stress and practical problems that causes.”

Presenter films ‘quiet reflection’

GB News presenter Dan Wootton has faced a backlash after posting a video of himself laying a floral tribute at Buckingham Palace in a moment of “quiet reflection”.

Wootton wrote: “I wanted to return to Buckingham Palace today for some quiet reflection and lay my own tribute. Crowds young, old, from all ethnicities and backgrounds.

“Truly the best of British doing her justice.”

Someone claiming to have witnessed the spectacle suggested it took four takes.

And many pointed out he has previously criticised Harry and Meghan for being photographed at a war memorial in Los Angeles, California.

Bowie NFT delayed

Brands have been mocked mercilessly for what you might charitably describe as their clumsy attempts to pay tribute.

Among the more unlikely is the delayed launch of a new non-fungible token (NFT) project celebrating David Bowie.

‘Bowie On The Blockchain’ has been halted until the mourning period is over, according to the late pop star’s official Twitter account.

‘Car free day’ postponed

A London council has postponed its “car free day” to honour the Queen’s death.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has put the brakes on plans to keep King Street open to motorists, it said.

The borough announced on Twitter: “Please be aware that, following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, today’s scheduled Car Free Day celebration in Hammersmith has been postponed. As a result, King Street will now remain open to motorists.”

One Twitter user wrote: “A beautiful tribute. I’m watching the traffic jam between TK Maxx and the William Morris with a patriotic tear running down my cheek.”

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Stop Leaving Marmalade Sandwiches For The Queen, Says Royal Parks

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It was the Queen’s final starring role of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations and now her iconic double act with Paddington Bear is living on in tributes paid after her death.

The monarch’s two-minute skit with the famous bear from Peru – another British icon – was widely judged a highlight of the Platinum Party at the Palace in June.

The pair were seen sitting down together for a spot of tea, with Paddington swigging straight from the spout, before offering the Queen a bite of his marmalade sandwich, the one he keeps handy, he told her, “just in case”.

“So do I,” the Queen replied, before opening her famous black handbag to reveal the very same. “I keep mine in here,” she said. “For later.”

Now, mourners are leaving sandwich bags, bears and other bits of Paddington memorabilia outside Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Sandringham, Holyroodehouse and other royal residences around the country.

A Paddington bear with messages and flowers hangs at the gate of Buckingham Palace in London.

SOPA Images via Getty Images

A Paddington bear with messages and flowers hangs at the gate of Buckingham Palace in London.
A Paddington Bear teapot is seen with floral tributes left outside the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk

LINDSEY PARNABY via Getty Images

A Paddington Bear teapot is seen with floral tributes left outside the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk
Another Paddington Bear teddy in Green Park, near Buckingham Palace.

STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN via Getty Images

Another Paddington Bear teddy in Green Park, near Buckingham Palace.

One well-wisher even handed a Paddington Bear directly to Prince William during his unexpected public walkabout with his wife and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex outside Windsor Castle on Saturday afternoon.

In fact, there are so many Paddingtons and sandwich bags piling up outside royal residences that The Royal Parks, which operates Green Park and St James’s Park, as well as six other royal parklands around London, has asked the public to stick to leaving flowers instead.

“The Royal Parks are suggesting that there are enough Paddingtons and marmalade sandwiches in the parks at the moment,” a BBC Breakfast presenter said outside Buckingham Palace on Monday morning.

“So please feel free to bring flowers, but maybe don’t bring anymore Paddingtons or marmalade sandwiches for now.”

The message echoed guidance issued on the Royal Parks website regarding floral tributes to the Queen.

“We would prefer visitors not to bring non-floral objects/artefacts such as teddy bears or balloons,” it reads. “Cards and labels will, however, be accepted and will be periodically removed by The Royal Parks’ staff and contractors for storage offsite. This process will be carried out with discretion and sensitivity.”

On Twitter, many commented on the very British nature of the situation.

But others have suggested that people’s time and money could be spent elsewhere, especially given the current cost of living crisis.

“Give a marmalade sandwich to a homeless person, donate the money you would’ve spent on a Paddington doll to a charity,” tweeted barrister and commentator Rupert Myers.

Meanwhile, author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who co-wrote Paddington’s Platinum Jubilee skit and also had a hand in the Queen’s unexpected cameo with James Bond at the Olympic Opening Ceremony in 2012, has been reflecting on why the meeting captured public imagination.

“It used to be said that millions of people had dreams in which they had tea with the Queen,” he wrote in the Observer. “Even our dream life is going to have to change. Watching her have tea with Paddington will have to do instead.”

Some have questioned whether the real Queen even starred in the skit, Cottrell-Boyce added.

“A conspiracy theory went round that the establishment had employed Paddington’s producers… to create a deep fake queen,” he added. “No one seemed to question the reality of the bear.”

The late Queen having tea with Paddington during the Platinum Party at the Palace.

Victoria Jones – PA Images via Getty Images

The late Queen having tea with Paddington during the Platinum Party at the Palace.
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People Are Calling Out The Police For Their Attitude To Anti-Monarchy Protesters

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Anti-monarchy protests have been quickly tackled by the police over the last few days – but not everyone is happy about it.

The changeover in monarch, from Queen Elizabeth II to her eldest son King Charles III, is seen by republicans as the ideal time for a change in the way the UK operates – prompting a small wave of demonstrations across the country.

But, police have quickly acted on several of these protests, escorting anti-monarchists away from crowds or even arresting them.

This has caused a huge stir on Twitter, as critics believe this impinges on freedom of speech, one the central pillars of a democracy.

Here’s what you need to know.

All the known police interventions so far

In Oxford, on Saturday

Author, activist and history tutor Simon Hill claims he was arrested in Oxford (although subsequently de-arrested) after he supposedly shouted, “Who elected him?” during King Charles III’s formal proclamation as the new monarch.

He told the Bright Green campaign website that the police had offered him “confused answers” when he asked about the reasons behind his arrest.

Thames Valley Police later confirmed to Yahoo News UK: “A 45-year-old man was arrested in connection with a disturbance that was caused during the county proclamation ceremony of King Charles III in Oxford.

“He has subsequently been de-arrested and is engaging with us voluntarily as we investigate a public order offence.”

Being de-arrested means to be released before being taken to the police station for further questioning.

In Edinburgh, on Sunday

A woman was arrested after holding an anti-monarchy sign shortly before the announcement for the accession proclamation of Charles on Sunday.

Police in Scotland said the arrest was made outside St Giles Cathedral, where the Queen’s coffin is currently lying at rest.

She held a sign with the slogan: “Fuck imperialism, abolish monarchy.”

Officers took her away, and the crowd clapped, although one man said: “Let her go, it’s free speech.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson later confirmed a 22-year-old woman was arrested “in connection with a breach of the peace”. She was later charged and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

In Edinburgh, on Monday

One protester was arrested for “shouting abuse” at Prince Andrew during the procession carrying the Queen’s coffin moved down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh on Monday.

Amid the quiet crowd, he called: “Andrew, you’re a sick old man!”

In Edinburgh, on Monday

Another arrest took place around the same time on Monday, although more details surrounding it are yet to emerge.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed: “A 74-year-old man was also arrested near Holyroodhouse in connection with a breach of the peace – he has also now been charged and is due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, September 12.”

In London, on Monday

A demonstrator holding up a small sign with the words “Not my king” was silently led away by police on Monday morning.

In London, on Monday

Barrister and climate activist Paul Powlesland claimed he risked being arrested for writing “not my king” on blank piece of paper while in Parliament Square.

Powlesland also tweeted a video recording of an exchange that he appeared to have had with a police officer, who could be heard telling him that someone might be offended if the lawyer were to write “not my king” on the piece of paper he was carrying.

He tweeted: “He confirmed that if I wrote ‘Not My King’ on it, he would arrest me under the Public Order Act because someone might be offended.

“A period of quiet mourning for the Queen is fine, but using that period to cement Charles accession as King and cracking down on any dissent to the accession as disrespectful is outrageous.”

People on Twitter are furious…

So, should people be arrested for peaceful protest?

Well, there’s a range of legal opinions out there.

Barrister Adam Wagner tweeted: “A few stories of people being arrested for protesting against the monarchy – unless they are threatening violence the police should leave well alone.

“Freedom of speech is as important a value in times of public mourning as it [is] at any other time.”

He continued: “A few people saying ‘now is not the time’. That is a fair opinion and will be shared by many, but it is an opinion not the law. Protest is often inconvenient and irritating – but still a central part of our democracy.”

He clarified that a “liberal society benefits from multiple points of view”.

Another criminal barrister, Tom Wainwright, also explained: “It is not automatically a criminal offence to express republican views in public. Now or ever. As is often the case, context may be important.”

He said police can “only arrest for breach of the peace if there is a threat of violence” – including if threatening or abusive words said or displayed in public could cause “harassment, alarm or distress”.

And, Wainwright explained that a court could only convict if it was necessary to protect public safety.

But, Wainwright also highlighted that laws are different in England and Wales compared they are in Scotland.

Legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg told Times Radio that in Scotland, this matter comes under a common law laid down over the centuries and reviewed by judges 20 years ago.

It states that “breach of the peace” which causes alarm to ordinary people and threatens serious disturbance to the community, could justifiably lead to an arrest.

He argued that offensive signs shown at times of heightened emotion might have caused violence to break out, and so the display of the ‘Fuck Imperialism’ sign “did fall under the definition of the criminal law as I understand it to be in Scotland”.

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Thousands Of Mourners Line Streets As Queen’s Coffin Arrives At Holyroodhouse

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Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin has arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse after a six-hour journey from Balmoral Castle.

The cortege arrived in Edinburgh shortly after 4pm where the Queen’s coffin will rest overnight in an oak-panelled throne room.

Her coffin was greeted with a guard of honour before being carried into the palace.

Three of the Queen’s children looked on – Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – as the coffin crossed the threshold.

Members of the public watch the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is driven through Edinburgh.
Members of the public watch the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is driven through Edinburgh.

NEIL HANNA via Getty Images

Meanwhile, thousands of mourners lined the streets of Scotland’s capital city on Sunday to pay their respects. Some observers clapped as the hearse came past, others threw flowers in the road.

Earlier on the 180 mile journey, the hearse passed crowds of people, shops with photographs of the monarch and even a guard of honour with tractors.

Members of the public watch the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is driven through Edinburgh.
Members of the public watch the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is driven through Edinburgh.

OLI SCARFF via Getty Images

The Queen died at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire on Thursday where she traditionally spent her summers.

Buckingham Palace said the 96-year-old died “peacefully” surrounded by members of the royal family.

The monarch started the journey to her final resting place just after 10am, with her only daughter the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence in the procession travelling directly behind.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, driven through Edinburgh.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, driven through Edinburgh.

IAN FORSYTH via Getty Images

The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland and a wreath on top, made from flowers from the Balmoral estate including sweet peas – one of the Queen’s favourite flowers – dahlias, phlox, white heather and pine fir.

Floral tributes were thrown into the path of the coffin as thousands turned out to pay their respects.

A single motorbike police outrider led the way as the hearse, followed by six vehicles, travelled at a stately pace through the Scottish countryside.

As the Queen left Balmoral this morning, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was a “sad and poignant moment” as she left her “beloved Balmoral for the final time”.

Sturgeon added: “Today, as she makes her journey to Edinburgh, Scotland will pay tribute to an extraordinary woman.”

Meanwhile, down in London, King Charles III was greeted by thousands of well-wishers as he arrived at Buckingham Palace where he was due to meet with representatives from the Commonwealth.

Members of the public stand on a bridge, in Kinross, overlooking the M90 motorway, to pay their respects.
Members of the public stand on a bridge, in Kinross, overlooking the M90 motorway, to pay their respects.

ANDY BUCHANAN via Getty Images

On Monday, there will be a procession to St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh where the Queen’s coffin will rest for 24 hours.

The procession is expected to include members of the royal family.

There will be a service in the cathedral and members of the public will be able to file past the coffin.

The Princess Royal and her husband Admiral Sir Tim Laurence travel behind the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Princess Royal and her husband Admiral Sir Tim Laurence travel behind the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.

Paul Campbell – PA Images via Getty Images

The following day the Queen’s coffin will be transported by road from the cathedral to Edinburgh Airport and then flown to RAF Northolt.

Her coffin will be accompanied by the Princess Royal, before being moved to rest at Buckingham Palace’s Bow Room.

A procession on September 14 will see the coffin, adorned with the Imperial State Crown, transported on a gun carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster ready for the Lying in State in Westminster Hall.

The Queen will lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday.

Her funeral will be held in London’s Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September which will be a bank holiday.

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Daniel Craig Reflects On Sharing The Screen With Queen Elizabeth For Iconic Olympics Sketch

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Daniel Craig has reflected on sharing the screen with Queen Elizabeth II during a comedy sketch as part of the 2012 Olympics.

To kick off the event’s Opening Ceremony that year, Daniel appeared in character as James Bond for a scene set at Buckingham Palace.

In the sketch, the late monarch briefly addressed 007 before the two were seen entering a helicopter, which flew over the stadium, ending with a stunt double of the Queen parachuting into the arena.

“What an incredible thing,” Daniel said of the sketch following the Queen’s death at the age of 96 earlier this week.

He told the BBC: “We will not see the likes of her ever again. To be alive during her reign is something else.

″[I feel] very saddened. I suppose good luck to Charles, really.”

Daniel Craig and the Queen pictured during their Olympics skit
Daniel Craig and the Queen pictured during their Olympics skit

Frank Cottrell-Boyce – who co-wrote the sketch, as well as a more recent one featuring the Queen and Paddington Bear – told Radio 4: “We went to the Palace asking for permission to represent her and to know what she was wearing on the day, and it was her amazing dresser who said ‘No, no, she wants to be in it.’ She was game and she was up for that.

“In fact on the day when we were filming, she asked Danny Boyle if she could have a line because there wasn’t a line in the script, probably because when I was typing the script I didn’t quite know how you would type the character of the Queen… What would you type?”

Earlier this year, Daniel told US talk show host Stephen Colbert about a “very funny” joke the Queen cracked at his expense, recalling: “We were having our photograph taken, and she just went, ‘Oh no, he’s the one that doesn’t smile’.”

Of her corgis, who also appeared in the scene, Daniel added: “I was rolling around on the floor with them most of the time. I mean, they’re just there. I think they have their own footmen. They’re very friendly.”

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