Rose

For this week's abstract Thursday (topic: lines) I have modified a photograph of a rose. It's a small tribute, amongst millions of others, to Queen Elizabeth, the original English rose.

I have nothing but respect for the Queen but I do feel the TV channels and newspapers have gone overboard in reporting her demise. Every facial expression, tear, bow, curtsy or faint by the Royal Family, friends, armed forces or dignitaries have been recorded, replayed over and over and analysed for signs of strength or weakness or distress.  Anyone who has ever had the most passing interaction with her has been wheeled in front of the cameras to tell their story. And endless film clips of the Queen have been dug out stitched together and embroidered with the most sycophantic voice overs. And we have four more days to go.

I am all in favour of a State Funeral. We owe Queen Elizabeth a marvelous send off with all the pomp and majesty we can muster. But the endless chattering on the TV is, in my view, ill judged. Huw Edwards & Co have done a wonderful job and by the end of Monday will probably be understandably exhausted. Whether it has been necessary or, indeed, appropriate, is a completely different question.