Queen Mother's coffin before her funeral in 2002 – soldier-turned-pop-star James Blunt's allegiance to the monarchy has never been in doubt.
Now, after spending nine hours lining up with members of the public to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall, the You're Beautiful singer has had a dig at those who jumped 'the Queue', stressing that the whole point was to dedicate a day on your feet to pay one's respects. 'The queue was deeply moving in itself, and the act of respect was in the queue,' the 48-year- old told me.
James, who was joined on the marathon vigil by his wife Sofia Wellesley, granddaughter of the 8th Duke of Wellington, also said it was a bonding experience, chatting with other families in the snaking line. 'I made many, many friends, genuinely, and actually it became very hard to then leave that little group of people who you had got to know because it felt like we've really been on a journey,' James added when I caught up with him at the 21st birthday party of trendy Notting Hill restaurant e&o last week.
James was not the only celebrity to queue with the public, of course – former footballer David Beckham turned down a VIP pass and waited 12 hours to pay his respects, saying it was what his grandfather would have done.
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