Graham Norton says reaction to Queen’s death is ‘gorgeous’ but not ‘rational’
Graham Norton. (WireImage/ Samir Hussein)
Graham Norton said that he’s found the emotional public reaction to the Queen’s death humbling, if somewhat irrational.
Speaking to The Times, the TV host expressed how moved he was to see mourners queue for up to 14 hours in order to see the Queen’s lying-in-state in Westminster Hall.
The lying-in-state – a tradition in which the body of a deceased official, such as a head of state, is placed in a state building to allow the public to pay their respects – took place over the four days preceding the Queen’s funeral on Monday (19 September).
The funeral is being televised this morning on all major channels – and will even be broadcast in one of London’s biggest gay saunas.
Norton, 59, said that as an Irishman living in Britain for nearly 40 years, he has found the reaction to the Queen’s death humbling.
“It’s gorgeous to see the way people respond,” he said. “It’s not rational. But it’s genuine.”
Graham Norton, Michelle Visage and Alan Carr attend the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK premiere at on September 17, 2019 in London, England. (Dave J Hogan/Getty)
Graham Norton, who returns to screens as a Drag Race UK judge on Thursday (22 September), married his partner Jonothon in August in a private ceremony in Ireland.
According to the Irish Examiner, a blessing ceremony was followed by wedding reception which saw singer Lulu, Irish dancing group Carids and drag queen DJ Panti Bliss dazzle the attendees into the night.
Speaking to The Times, he spoke of the changing times and how at his age, he almost feels a “nostalgia” for when “[being gay] was worse.”
“When clubs were down weird alleys. But that’s ridiculous because it was s**t. You were beaten up, but it felt special.
“The two givens were that you weren’t getting married or having children. Being clandestine was exciting and fun.”
The Graham Norton Show returns to screens at the end of September, and Norton’s novel Forever Home is out now.
