On September 8, somber newsreaders across the world announced the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Cue Britons absolutely losing it: hospital appointments, football matches, and even labor strikes were canceled. Drug dealers offered discounts, supermarket registers lowered their beeps, and a Canadian citizenship ceremony was delayed after officials were confused about who they should swear allegiance to.

An estimated quarter million people joined “The Queue” that extended up to ten miles to see the queen lying in state. Soccer star David Beckham spent twelve hours queuing to see Her Majesty last Friday. Meanwhile, media commentators constructed a hazy view of Britain, painting a picture of touching yet dignified national mourning and unity after the loss of the longtime head of state.

Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 cost around £7–8 million, and costs are expected to be higher for the queen’s. Amid a cost-of-living crisis due to spiraling inflation and rising energy bills, this left many feeling angry. Buckingham Palace even had to ask the public to stop leaving marmalade sandwiches outside, citing a rat problem, although they would surely have understood the optics of food being left for a dead queen outside a palace as others across the country starve.