For only the third time in its history, popular BBC soap opera EastEnders is to reflect real-life events by making reference to the death of the Queen Mother. A series of extra scenes have been shot and will be incorporated into the program.
EastEnders’ executive producer John Yorke said: “We felt it appropriate to recognize such an important event. Many people in London had a special relationship with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and we feel it is important that this is reflected in the program.”
Apart from the fact that the characters of Dot, Pauline, Jamie, and Sonia will be involved, no further details of the exact nature of the new scenes or how the Queen Mother’s demise will be referred to have been announced.
The episode will be screened just hours after Friday’s ceremonial procession in which the late royal matriarch’s remains are moved from the Queen’s Chapel at St James’s Palace to Westminster Hall, where the casket will lie in state over the weekend.
The Queen Mother had a special relationship with the people of London’s East End, which came under particularly heavy bombing during the blitz in the Second World War. She was a frequent visitor to the district, inspecting damage and bringing words of comfort to its beleaguered inhabitants. When Buckingham Palace took nine direct hits from German bombers, the indomitable matriarch famously declared that she could now “look the East End in the face.”
New material is also being filmed for Tuesday’s episode, screened on the day of the funeral. In the past, current affairs have been reflected in the program with flowers being laid for victims of the Hillsborough tragedy and when England’s status in the Euro 2000 competition was referred to.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Although the main characters to be involved in the new scenes are understood to be Dot, Pauline, Sonia and Jamie, further details of exactly how the Queen Mother's death will be reflected in the programme are still unknown.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The Queen Mother had a special relationship with real life Eastenders built around her frequent visits during the blitz. The royal matriarch's support of the area, following its pounding by German bombers aiming for the city's docks, earned her great affection from its inhabitants.
