No Royal for Sir Ed’s funeral

I am very surprised and very disappointed that no member of the Royal Family is coming to New Zealand for Sir Ed’s funeral.

Now I’m not saying this just because I’m a Republican.  My support for a republic is not because I think the Queen does a crap job.  In fact I have always praised her devotion and dedication.

But this is a seriously bad call.  Even putting aside the personal connection with Hillary ascent of Mt Everest coinciding with her coronation, it is the fact he is a Knight of the Garter.

This is the highest possible British honour, outranking all Knighthoods.  It was established in 1348 and is limited to 24 people worldwide, and unlike most honours is given at the personal discretion of the sovereign. Hillary was also unique in being the only member who was there for what he achieved rather than what offices he held, or being a royal.

I never expected the Queen personally to come, but the Royal Family has eight other senior members (excluding her husband) plus several members of the next generation who are also adults.  It is unbelievable that they didn’t think it was worth sending any one of them over for the funeral. Lewis Holden has checked their diaries and
you know it seems more important to launch the Lothians and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme!

Yes they will host a service in London, but that is not the same thing.