Why was there a blackout of Aberdeen TV coverage of Queen’s cortege?

By Lauren Robertson

September 12 2022, 2:40 pm

The Queen's procession at the King George VI Bridge. Picture by Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

Readers have raised concerns about the lack of BBC footage from Aberdeen in live news coverage of the Queen’s cortege on Sunday.

Aberdonians who couldn’t venture out the house were glued to their TV screens, eager to see Her Majesty coffin driven through the streets they know and love.

But, as the procession reached the city, TV coverage switched from the cortege. Instead BBC One showed proclamation ceremonies in Edinburgh and Wales.

Viewers took to social media, and made calls to The Press & Journal and Evening Express offices, to raise their complaints.

While coverage on the BBC and Sky followed the procession, by helicopter, from the gates of Balmoral through Deeside – Aberdeen itself was almost entirely missing.

Disappointed in @BBCNews coverage of Queen’s journey to Edinburgh. Journey arrives in Aberdeen & they cut to proclamation in Edinburgh which is already being shown on @BBCOne.

— Mrs I (@tingram311) September 11, 2022

Footage from the cortege continued until Crathes, before BBC 1 cut to a special programme covering the national proclamation ceremonies of King Charles III.

Brief glimpses of mourners in Aberdeen could be spotted throughout the programme, but by the time it focused back on the procession, it was already south of the city.

BBC News TV helicopter images captured images of a horseback guard of honour on Deeside, but only showed limited scenes from Aberdeen.

Broadcaster Sky did have a camera on the ground at Duthie Park and showed that part of the route live in its coverage.

Just watching the BBC coverage of the Queen’s coffin travelling to Edinburgh. Did they cover the route through Aberdeen, I must have missed it?

— Ian Thompson (@Ijthom) September 11, 2022

Both BBC and Sky resumed live coverage of the cortege south of the city and showed the vehicles driving through both Dundee and Edinburgh.

Why was Aberdeen missed from TV coverage?

Refuelling

It is understood the helicopter filming the cortege route had to make a scheduled stop to refuel at Aberdeen Airport.

Most helicopters can fly for between two and five hours before needing to stop.

The Queen’s journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh was more than six hours long, so at least one stop would have been necessary.

The Queen's Cortege at Holburn Junction in Aberdeen. Crowds lining the streets surged forward as the cars drove by. Picture by Kenny Elrick/DCT Media. — Crowds lining the streets in Aberdeen surged forward as the cars drove by. Picture by Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

The cortege itself stopped for a brief period at Brechin Castle to rest, refuel and change drivers.

Restricted airspace

One theory about why Aberdeen was missed from coverage was because a ban had been implemented on helicopters over the area during the procession – making aerial footage impossible.

And you dropped coverage of its journey through Aberdeen, where choirs and bagpipers performed. There is only one show today and that is the late Queen's cortege. I bet there'll be no break as it arrives in Edinburgh.

— Caoimhin MacEochaidh (@CaoimhinMacEoc1) September 11, 2022

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed there were multiple restrictions of flying regulations in place throughout the day on Sunday.

A document detailing the restrictions, which applied to aircraft under 4,500ft said it was necessary “in the interests of the public”.

Temporary airspace restrictions were in place over the Queen’s cortege route on Sunday. Map from UK Civil Aviation Authority

This ban was in place for the entirety of the funeral procession route with different zones coming into effect at different times.

The restrictions did not apply to aircraft taking instructions from Aberdeen Airport, any who needed to land at Leuchars or emergency services.

Meanwhile, the TV helicopter also appeared to fly directly over the cortege during sections of the journey in Deeside – so appears to also have been allowed to operate within the restricted areas.

Aberdeen ignored?

Aberdeen locals took to social media to share their disappointment that the area had been missed.

@BBCNews why did Aberdeen city gets so short changed with the live coverage of the Queen’s cortège?

— Natasha Ross (@NatashaMRoss) September 11, 2022

Caroline Sommerville said on Twitter: “Coverage of cortege ignores entire route through Aberdeen, first city it reaches.

“Two hours of footage along Deeside hamlets then switches to soldiers finishing parading in London and Edinburgh.”

The Queen's cortege coming down Great Southern Road, passing Duthie Park on the right and Allenvale Cemetery on the left. Picture by Jasperimage. — The Queen’s cortege coming down Great Southern Road, passing Duthie Park . Picture by Jasperimage.

Others were confused enough to question whether they had missed the section, with Ian Thompson saying: “Did they cover the route through Aberdeen, I must have missed it?”

The BBC declined to comment further on the lack of coverage from Aberdeen.

Sky did not respond to a request for a comment.