Huw Edwards explains lack of narration during BBC coverage of Queen’s funeral

There’s a poignant reason for the BBC’s lack of narration during the Queen’s funeral (Picture: BBC/PA)

Huw Edwards has explained the reason for the lack of narration during the BBC’s coverage of the Queen’s state funeral.

Her Majesty died peacefully at Balmoral on September 8, at the age of 96, with her mourners paying their final today, starting with a service at Westminster Abbey.

The BBC has been extensively covering the event since 8am across television, radio, iPlayer, and BBC Sounds, with Edwards at the helm alongside colleagues Kirsty Young, Fergal Keane, David Dimbleby, and Sophie Raworth.

Viewers and listeners will have noticed that the narration has been few and far between during the procession and service, with some describing it as ‘self-consciously quiet’ and sparing’.

And there’s quite a good reason for this too.

Addressing the corporation’s minimal discussion during the solemn scenes, Edwards said: ‘We feel that this is the most respectful way to cover it.’

Edwards has been leading the BBC’s coverage of the state funeral (Picture: BBC)

Fellow presenter Dan Walker, who previously worked for BBC Breakfast before joining Channel 5 News, picked up on the lack of dialogue.

He tweeted: ‘When every word matters…When every mistake is magnified and scrutinised…

‘When permanently finding the right tone is almost impossible to navigate… This fella has played a blinder.

‘Well played Huw Edwards. Exceptional stuff 👏🏻@thehuwedwards.’

Edwards, who has been at the forefront of the BBC’s coverage of the Queen’s death, has been applauded for his work on the funeral, with many pointing out that he deserves a well-earned break.

Thousands of people await at Windsor for Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II to arrive (Picture: Getty) Queen Elizabeth II (Picture: Getty)

One person wrote: ‘Can we all club together on GoFundMe and buy Huw Edwards a holiday once all this is done? The man’s been broadcasting seamlessly for 12 days solid now.’

Another penned: ‘Can someone give #huwedwards a pillow and blanket, followed by a long holiday, Please?’

During his broadcast over the weekend, Edwards made a dig at Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield following allegations they skipped the queue to see the Queen lying in state, which This Morning has denied.

‘There have been quite a few familiar faces in the queue for that lying in state at Westminster Hall,’ Edwards said on Sunday night.

‘We did of course see a certain David Beckham there on Friday. He was widely praised for queueing for hours and hours, not jumping the queue because he’s a superstar VIP.’

‘No, he was in the queue for many hours and good for him,’ Edwards added.

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The doors of Westminster Abbey opened at 8am this morning, ahead of the arrival of the first mourners for the funeral of the Queen.

The King’s Guards trooped through the gates of Abbey, with two soldiers stationed at the metal gates awaiting the start of proceedings.

The Queen’s coffin, carried by the bearer party of Grenadier Guards, arrived at Westminster Abbey shortly before 11am for the service.

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