Britain is supposed to be in a period of national mourning following the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
However, the death of the Queen's consort also happened to coincide with pubs reopening after a long lockdown, putting even the most respectful royalist in an ethical bind.
Would the Duke approve of them sinking pints on a sunny afternoon?
The answer, according to Prince Harry, is a firm "Yes."
In a statement paying tribute to his late grandfather, the Duke of Sussex suggested his grandfather would not wish to see Britons moping around all week.
"He was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right 'til the end," Prince Harry said.
While Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled his planned trip to the pub, the Londoners the ABC spoke to did not need much encouragement.
How Britain got its outbreak under control
The UK has spent the last year of the coronavirus pandemic largely under three strict national lockdowns.
Earlier this year, Britain had one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls per capita in the world and the highest number of deaths in Europe.
But the UK's vaccine rollout, the biggest inoculation program the country has ever launched, appears to have been instrumental in bringing down the death rate.
More than 32 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 7.6 million have had both shots.
That means the UK Government has hit its mid-April target of offering the first dose to top priority groups, including those over-50s and those with co-morbidities.
On Sunday alone, a record total of 475,230 second doses were administered to Britons.
The UK is currently recording about 1,700 new infections a day, well down from a daily peak of about 50,000 cases in December.
With those numbers in mind, the Government decided to loosen restrictions, allowing pubs and restaurants to reopen — but only outdoors.
At a pub in London's Soho area, friends Josh Peacock and Josh Rook had their first pint in months, standing outside a pub in the street.
"It's been the longest, darkest, coldest winter [with] not many reasons to be optimistic," Josh Peacock said.
"It's great to be able to pint with my mate in the sunshine."
Londoners toast Prince Philip with an outdoor pint
Dressed in a dark coat and black tie, Londoner Clive Room was enjoying beers with friends, and raising a glass for the Queen's husband.
He told the ABC he was mourning Prince Philip, but believed the Duke would be happy to see people living their lives.
"He wouldn't consider this moping at all," he said.
"I'm sure that's what he'd want"
Friends Claire Jones and Judith Reece took the day off so they make the most of pubs reopening.
"It's been a really long, endless [winter] at times but it turns out it does end," Ms Reece said as she basked in the sun.
She said she did not know much about the Duke of Edinburgh, but had gained the impression he had a thirst for life.
"He was somebody who loved people doing what they do best."
She did not think the Duke would mind people celebrating lockdown easing, during a period of national mourning.
"I can't imagine anybody would have anything bad to say about people enjoying their life," she said.
