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Paying their last respects - 21st September 2022

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II has taken place in London. Britain’s longest reigning monarch died on 8th September, at the age of 96. 

Attended by 2,000 people, including royalty and heads of state from around the world, the ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey, where Elizabeth had been married and crowned Queen.  

As the coffin left the Abbey, it was carried on a gun carriage, pulled by members of the Royal Navy through the streets of London. People lined the streets to pay their last respects to a Queen who had ruled for 70 years and show their support for King Charles III. 

Since the announcement of the Queen’s death, the public has laid floral tributes at the royal residences and royal parks. Hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe also queued to see the Queen lying in State - often standing for 24 hours to pay their last respects to a much loved monarch. 

Others slept along the route of the funeral procession, camping out for days to ensure the best view. Theresa Simons had been camping out for two nights.

Theresa Simons: "Why wouldn't we want to see her? She was our Queen. She did a lot for our country. She did a lot for the world, I think. Um yeah – a nice place to be. It's just to pay our respects."

Michelle Larson and her family had come from the States for the occasion.

Michelle Larson: "We wanted to come over here and pay respects to the Queen. And, and – so we booked it and, and we're here until Thursday."

Michelle Larson: "And so, I think it's a testament to her character and her longevity. And I think also like – it's special to be here and experience this with her people and with the British people."

The State funeral complete, the Queen was interred alongside her husband at Windsor Castle in a private ceremony, her public role now fulfilled.