From our special correspondent in London,
Fluorescent yellow bibs, bright orange “APS” jackets, bobbies typical of London policemen, etc. Lost in the constant human tide that has invaded the streets of the capital of the United Kingdom for the past ten days, these so recognizable uniforms acted as beacons in the midst of the storm. Security, police or safety agents, in the eyes of the British and tourists alike, they were familiar landmarks in the heart of a compact and homogeneous crowd. Above all, they were the little hands essential to the proper functioning of the “London Bridge” protocol. 20 minutes went to meet them a few hours before the end of his Majesty’s funeral. Report from the land of real people.
The royal family left Buckingam Palace several hours ago. It is almost 6 p.m. and Queen Elizabeth II is about to return to her final resting place, Saint-Gorges Chapel in Windsor. On The Mall, this processional aisle that leads precisely to the royal palace, a few latecomers and a few curious people are still hanging around. Gone are the crowds of great days, of those that followed the announcement of the death of Queen E.
Collector photos in relaxation mode
So of course, we relax. “Who wants me to take a picture of the palace for him? “, even launches Daniel, a security guard in his twenties who watches over this long royal road linking Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar square. In no time, Daniel finds himself with dozens of phones in his pockets, giving everyone who is in the right place at the right time a unique photo.
And Daniel even puts a little girl on the other side of the fence [35 kilomètres avaient été montés dans le centre de Londres pour contenir la foule], time for a collector shot. Prohibited ? “No one said ‘yes’ to me but no one said ‘no’ to me”, says the security guard with a smile.
Further on, in St James Park, the park which adjoins The Mall and Buckingham Palace, an improvised bivouac serves as a security PC for hundreds of agents on duty for ten days. Around this huge tent, people check each other out, laugh, smoke a cigarette and meet at the pub. Pubs that are likely to be taken by storm. It must be said that more than 10,000 police officers were added to the usual workforce to secure this historic funeral, had advanced The Guardian before the big rout.
The Metropolitan Police had declared that it was the “largest deployment of police officers”, “larger than for the 2012 Olympics and for the Platinum Jubilee”. London was not the only city to have revised its security service upwards. Windsor, where Queen Elizabeth II now rests, also called for reinforcements: 2,000 officers were deployed there to support Scotland Yard.
“I’m going to sleep for a week I think”
“It’s the end of ten long days, we’re all exhausted and we’re happy to be back at a normal pace”, confides to 20 minutes Ravi, security officer who relaxes a bit in St James Park. Normal will not be for now. If life resumed its course barely a few hours after the departure of the royal procession, “the barriers and the security PCs will be removed at the end of the week”, assures David, who quotes his hierarchy. His job ? For the past ten days, he has watched over one of the entrances to Green Park’s Floral Tributes. Posted up all day, next to a sign flashing any arrow to the right.
David just looks exhausted. “I’m exhausted, I only want to go home and never see bouquets of flowers again,” jokes the friendly fifty-something. “I’m going to sleep for a week, I think,” says Sandra. Like David, she guided tourists and the Queen’s most devoted subjects to one of these makeshift memorials. “I have never seen so many people. I have the impression of having said the same sentence over and over for ten days, ”smiles the young woman.
At the exit of Green Park, we meet an agent of the Metropolitan Police. Not on patrol, not even checking, but in front of a souvenir shop. The policeman, in uniform, is choosing a figurine of the infantry of the Household Division, the famous “King’s Guard” and these bear hair hats. “My son will be happy! “, he assures before concluding: “It was ten very intense days, but also unique in a career. »