But will this really be possible? With most sports centers and public buildings, as well as many shops, supermarkets and museums closed, Monday can feel a lot like the bank holidays of yesteryear, with almost everything closed and not even a James Bond movie to entertain. For those who would rather politely decline to join the mass observance of the Queen’s funeral, here are some ideas. Go for a long walk Remember all those healthy activities you resorted to during the Covid lockdown? They are your friends. Alan Wares, the co-host of the Brighton FC Albion Roar podcast, decided to go for a long walk along the South Downs with his dog Roxy. “Nothing will be open for miles around, so we’ll take the freebie option and Roxy will make some friends with other people while avoiding the funeral along the way,” he said. Work You could be a freelancer or work in the NHS or an emergency service or countless other jobs where you won’t get a bank holiday. You might even work in news gathering. If so, solidarity. Go to the pub, but not one run by Greene King or Fuller’s team, who both said they would present the funeral. In fact, it might be better to choose a setup without a TV. Isobel Knight, PR consultant, has done her homework. “Luckily, a local wine bar came to the rescue. They are open from 13:00 and have no TV. When I checked last night, they promised it would be background music only,” he said. Bake a cake But make sure you buy your ingredients before Monday, because many supermarkets will be closed. Author and political analyst Saurav Dutt decided to turn the activity into a political statement and baked a jack cake to represent the empire with the Koh-i-noor diamond in the Queen Mother’s crown. The cake will be shared between four households of friends – one Indian, one Pakistani, one Afghan and one Iranian – to represent the jewel’s return to South Asia, where all four countries claim it. “It’s an interesting way to avoid a funeral,” he said. Leave the country It’s dramatic, but it may be the only option that allows you to avoid funeral coverage entirely, and even then you may have to choose somewhere remote. Graham Smith, the CEO of the Republic campaign, will travel across Sweden to the annual meeting of the Alliance of European Republican Movements. “At big royal events like jubilees and weddings, we usually tell republicans not to leave the country and find another way to be part of the conversation,” he said. “We felt it was not the time to protest, but there will be a series of events and protests, including a Prince of Wales buyout and coronation to get people involved.”
