Band during funeral cortege

Well done to those responsible for organising Dom Mintoff’s funeral cortege from his home in Tarxien to Cospicua, Marsa, Ħamrun and Valletta. The six-hour procession was watched by thousands of people who paid tribute and showed respect to the former prime minister.

Flags were flown at half mast along the route and flowers were thrown on the hearse. On reaching Valletta, the cortege was saluted by the La Vallette Band.

However, when it came to the King’s Own Band, I felt that the bandsmen’s attire (they were not wearing a jacket, for instance) was more suitable for a feast than for a funeral cortege.

Also, I think it was shameful that the band consisted of some 40 bandsmen during the first half hour but then their number dwindled to just nine when they played the fanfare.