A reflection on the surreal experience of watching history unfold in real time

From Queen Elizabeth's funeral to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the past couple of years have thrown up several history-making moments

King Charles III follows behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre on top, as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey after her state funeral. Reuters

The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth travels down the Long Walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel. AP

Pall bearers carry the coffin into St. George's Chapel, in Windsor. AP

A Royal Guard stands by floral tributes at Windsor Castle. AFP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is pulled on a gun carriage by Royal Navy sailors to Westminster Abbey. Getty Images

Prince William and Prince Harry follow the coffin of the queen after her state funeral in Westminster Abbey. AP

Emma, the monarch's fell pony, stands as Queen Elizabeth's coffin passes at Windsor Castle. PA

Members of the royal household stand with Queen Elizabeth's Corgis, Muick and Sandy, as they await the funeral cortege at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. AP

Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the state funeral service in London. AFP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is pulled along The Mall following her funeral service in Westminster Abbey. AP

Flowers thrown by the public lie on the hearse carrying the coffin as it arrives at Windsor Castle. AP

King Charles at the state funeral in London. Reuters

People sleep before the funeral service at Westminster Abbey. AFP

A giant screen honouring the late queen at Piccadilly Circus in London. EPA

King Charles looks towards the coffin of his mother at Westminster Abbey. Getty Images

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, sitting in a car as a British flag is reflected in its window. AFP

Buckingham Palace household staff return through the gates of the palace after paying their respects. AFP

Staff Sergeant Yeoman Darren Fowler, right, and Captain Rebecca Cooper from the Royal Signals at the Elizabeth Tower, checking that Big Ben Chimes in time with gunfire during the state funeral procession. EPA

King Charles salutes as he is driven past Wellington Arch in London. Getty Images

The London skyline is seen as the procession moves down The Mall. Getty Images

The coffin of the queen is pulled on a gun carriage by Royal Navy sailors from Westminster Abbey. Getty Images

Princess Charlotte arrives by car ahead of the funeral in central London. AP

The coffin is carried into St George's Chapel for the Committal Service, in Windsor Castle. AP

A woman cries in London's Hyde Park while watching the funeral service. AP

Prince George looks towards his father Prince William during the Committal Service at St George's Chapel. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth's coffin is driven along the Long Walk towards Windsor Castle. Reuters

People waiting along the route that the coffin will be pulled on a gun carriage in central London. AP

King Charles and the Queen Consort Camilla follow the coffin at St George's Chapel. AP

The Royal State Hearse arrives at Windsor Castle. Getty Images

King Charles follows the State Gun Carriage as it carries the coffin at Westminster Abbey. PA

Members of the public gather to see the coffin as it travels from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London. Getty Images

King Charles and members of the royal family follow behind the coffin as it is carried into Westminster Abbey. PA

The Imperial State Crown resting on the coffin. Getty Images

The hearse transporting the coffin is covered in flowers thrown by the public. AFP

The Bearer Party of The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards carries the coffin from Westminster Abbey. AFP

It’s been a strange week to be British, and it’s been an especially strange week to be a Brit living abroad.

On Monday, I, like so many millions around the world, watched as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, was laid to rest.

As the crowds gathered and members of the armed forces lined up pristinely, ready for the biggest show of pride and pomp Britain has displayed in my lifetime, I sat on the sofa of my Dubai apartment, like I do most other days, glued to the television.

But of course, Monday was not like most other days. It was one of those days that will remain ingrained in my memory for the rest of my life. A day that will undoubtedly spark many conversations across many generations for decades to come. One of those rare “I remember where I was when” moments with which we will bore our children, and their children after that, just as our parents and grandparents have done so many times with us.

It’s a surreal thing, watching history unfold in real time. Trying to simultaneously take in the magnitude of what you are witnessing, while being present in the moment, while also being part of a wider conversation happening around the events.

It also left me trying to process the strange sense of patriotism it roused within that I wasn’t entirely sure I knew was even there, something I know many other Brits experienced ― royalists or not.

Life is scattered with several of these “where were you?” moments, that will at some stage or another stop us all in our tracks. September 11, for example: I was off school sick that day, aged 10, and I remember the cartoon I was watching being interrupted with the breaking news bulletin as my mum stood behind me in disbelief.

When I ask my colleague if she remembers where she was, she tells me instantly: she was in a cramped hotel room in Bahrain, aged 15, shortly after moving to the country.

And it feels like the past few years will have sparked a particularly interesting period in history, as we all endured a global pandemic. Only now, as we come out the other side, have I been able to look back and truly appreciate the gravity of it all, and understand that in years to come, these will be the moments people read about in school, in the same way we did with diseases and viruses of the past.

Naturally, the nature of these huge moments are usually not pleasant ― death, tragedy, shock ― but often, they bring people all over the world together as they experience a shared emotion.

And Monday was certainly one of those days that will always stand out for me. I might have spent it sitting on my sofa like any other Monday, but it was a day that will remain etched in my brain ― and the history books.