As the evening gloom had descended over RAF Northolt, troops from the 63 Squadron RAF Regiment (Queen's Colour Squadron) had solemnly lifted the flag-draped casket into the hearse. The bleakness over the airbase in north-west London felt symbolic of these most tragic moments in the nation's history.  In the wait before the RAF C-17, with the coffin on board had broken through barrel-grey skies, there had been complete silence. The headlights of the hearse that had pierced the darkness became ever more poignant as the seconds ticked by. The rain only added to the sense of sadness that has engulfed everyone since it was announced Her Majesty had died last Thursday. Then the roar of the huge e ...