Queen hailed for loyalty and steadfastness by mourners on procession route

There was a calm silence as the crowd stood patiently on the pavement facing The Mall near Buckingham Palace, lined with Union Jacks, waiting for the Queen’s funeral procession. But in that silence, there was a togetherness. Normally crowds like this are for joyous occasions, but Monday was sombre but still there was an air of excitement to be part of such a historic moment — even if many could barely see anything apart from other people’s mobile phones.

Emma Harby (41) and her mother, Alison Munro (62), from Hampshire, brought footstools.

Unexpectedly, the service at Westminster Abbey was broadcast through loudspeakers attached to lampposts. The chatter stopped and everyone listened. Just as the service ended, a bright ray of light shone down through the trees on the Mall — reminiscent of the double rainbow that shone over Buckingham Palace the day the Queen died. When the congregation at Westminster Abbey sang God Save the King, the mourners on the streets all did too.

“This was beautiful,” Harby said. “It is just that stability she provided — there have been a lot of changes in the country in politics and things in the last few years but she has remained constantly. She was part of our identity.”

Munro said: “It was touching. We had to come. We love the Queen and we wanted to pay our last respects. We were here for the Platinum Jubilee and saw her on the balcony for the last time then. I think it is like the end of an era. It is being here amongst people — it’s not the same as watching it on telly. The Queen has been a calming influence. We both love history and the traditions of the royal family, It makes us feel proud.”

The procession then finally passed and one could see glimpses of trumpets and black bearskin hats as different troops marched along, and then glimpses of the coffin being transported on a gun carriage.

Joanne Ruff-Peace (52) had arrived on Sunday night and camped out with her 12-year-old son, Tod, all night – on deck chairs – so they saw the whole procession. “It was the only way we could ensure a spot at the front. I saw William and Charles in the procession – they were both just concentrating. It was amazing to see the coffin with all the jewels on top. Wherever the Queen turned up it was always a delight and we loved seeing what colour she was wearing and her smile. She was a fundamental part of Britishness and she moved with the times and reformed the monarchy. Her loyalty was always there — to her work and her family — right up to when she died.”

Cindy Greaves (62) from Herts got a train at 4.17 am to reach the spot. “I wanted to come to feel the atmosphere as I have been tearful all week,” she said. “The monarchy brings so much revenue to Britain. The world envies our monarch.”

She brought her 85-year-old mother, Jean, who had camped out all night on the Mall the night before Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. “The Queen looked magical that day. I wanted to come back and say thank you to her,” she said. “She was a wonderful woman.”