People across the North East are often known for being friendly and generous.
During the coronavirus pandemic, residents reached out to help others with compassionate acts of kindness. There was also a huge amount of support for NHS workers, carers and the emergency services.
When Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, September 8 at Balmoral in Scotland, there was sadness across the region. People came together once again to pay their respects to the UK's longest-serving monarch.
Organisations have paid tribute to Her Majesty and held special events in her name. Here are some of the ways the North East has remembered the Queen:
1. Flags at half-mast and books of condolence
Following the Queen's death, flags across the region were flying at half-mast. These included the Union flags at Newcastle Castle and Newcastle Civic Centre in Newcastle.
Flags were also flying at half-mast at Durham County Hall, Durham Town Hall, Crook Civic Centre and the local authority officers at Green Lane in Spennymoor, County Durham.
Books of condolence were opened at council buildings and libraries. People were able to sign books of condolence at locations across Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
Sunderland City Council placed books of condolence at six locations across the area while Durham County Council offered residents the chance to sign a book of condolence at 12 locations.
2. North East landmarks were lit up purple
Famous landmarks across the North East were lit up purple as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. The structures which were illuminated included the Millennium Bridge, the Northern Spire Bridge and Penshaw Monument.
Hylton Castle, The Beacon of Light and the lighthouse at Cliffe Park in Sunderland were also turned purple as a mark of respect.
3. The Great North Run
Organisers Great Run cancelled the lead-up events but decided to go ahead with the famous half-marathon, saying the millions raised for charity is a fitting legacy for the Queen. They made changes to the start of the event and the Red Arrows' planned fly-past, which has been an iconic part of the Great North Run for many years, was cancelled.
The mass of runners gathered on Newcastle's Central Motorway beneath a giant black banner showing Queen Elizabeth II. Many of the runners decided to wear Union Jack colours or a black arm band as a mark of respect.
They listened to words of tribute and fell silent for one minute in memory of the Queen. The moment of silence was followed by a rendition of God Save the King, which is now the national anthem as Charles III has ascended to the throne, and a period of applause.
4. A mural of the Queen in Gateshead
Ed Blackbird decided to pay tribute to the Queen by getting a large mural painted onto the outside of his business Deal Direct Blinds in Gateshead. The mural features a portrait of the Queen inside a golden frame, along with a Union flag in the background.
It was created by local artist Andy Morley, who runs Creative Ginger. The mural took a full day to produce and was unveiled to the public by 93-year-old local care home resident Sylvia Hulme.
Ed, from Birtley, Gateshead, said: "I've been a good supporter of the Royal Family since I was a child, so I was very upset when Her Majesty passed away. She's been an inspiration and served us for 70 years and I have been humbled by her loyalty to people.
"We rang the manageress of the local care home and asked if she had anyone who was a similar age to the Queen living there and she did. She came down in a taxi to unveil it and we got her a nice bunch of flowers and some chocolates."
5. Clap for the Queen
People across the North East clapped in memory of the Queen at 7pm on September 12. Around 50 residents on Clipstone Avenue, in Walker, Newcastle, lined the street. People cheered and children waved flags as they remembered the monarch. They also played the National Anthem.
Just three months earlier, the same street celebrated Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee with a huge street party. Pamela McKenna organised their Clap for the Queen through a message in the street What'sApp group, which was set up because of the jubilee party.
Lynsey Henderson, who helped to organise the jubilee street party, said: "Everyone has been quite upset that the Queen has passed. The people who had flags up on flag poles for the jubilee have put them back up at half mast out of respect for the Queen."
6. The Royal Museum in County Durham
Anita Atkinson has transformed her home into a museum containing the world's largest collection of royal memorabilia. The 65-year-old is the proud owner of 12,777 pieces of royal memorabilia dating back to King George III.
She has collected the items for around 46 years and has 5,000 mementos celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II. She runs the royal memorabilia museum from her farm near Crook in County Durham and gives talks about the Royal Family.
Anita was left devastated by the Queen's death. The following day, she opened her museum so visitors could sign a Book of Condolence. She has now posted the book to Buckingham Palace in London.
Anita said: "The book of condolence is jam packed full. As the farm isn't on a busy route people have been sending packages and saying 'can you put this for me'. I have just posted the book to the palace."
7. Tribute held by Newcastle United at St James' Park
Players, fans and owners came together at St James' Park ahead of Newcastle United 's game against Bournemouth to pay tribute to Her Majesty nine days on from her death. Newcastle director Amanda Staveley joined Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn on the pitch before kick-off to lay a wreath in her honour.
Players for both teams observed a minute's silence in the centre circle - as did fans. Following this, all four sides of the ground erupted into song for a rousing rendition of God Save the King. Around the ground fans belted out the tune to the national anthem, now of course with King replacing Queen in the lyrics.
Further tributes to the Queen were present on advertising boards and in the stands. The hoardings read: "Newcastle United and its owners are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II." In the stands, the Wor Flags group had removed their usual displays for the day, as a mark of respect.
There was also a tribute to the monarch on the back page of the official matchday programme. It featured an image of the Queen presenting the FA Cup to 1950s NUFC captain Jimmy Scoular.
7. Memorial services held across the region
Memorial services were held at cathedrals across the North East.
More than a thousand people gathered for a special service paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Durham Cathedral. Dignitaries and leaders from across the city, including Mayor, Councillor Arnie Simpson and Bishop of Durham Paul Butler, joined 1,300 members of the public on Saturday, September 17.
Roads were closed off between 1.30pm and 4pm to allow the service to take place and visitors were also given the chance to sign the Cathedral's book of condolence.
A touching memorial service was also held for the Queen at Newcastle Cathedral. The Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for Her Majesty on Sunday, September 18. The full Cathedral Choir was in attendance as well as Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, the High Sherriff of Tyne and Wear, the Acting Bishop of Newcastle, and civic dignitaries.
In Sunderland, there was a special ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II at Sunderland Minster. Mourners gathered for the Choral Evensong and Service of Thanksgiving for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday, September 18. Minster Priest Revd Dr Andrew C Dowsett said the service was about thanking, reflecting and respecting Elizabeth II. He said: "The Queen touched the hearts of so many people in Sunderland during her 70-year reign."
8. The funeral was showed on outdoor screens at Eldon Square in Newcastle
Newcastle City Council teamed up with NE1 to arrange an outdoor screening of the Queen's funeral on Monday, September 19.
People flocked to Old Eldon Square in Newcastle to watch the historic event on the big screen. Families chose to leave their homes so they could share the occasion with others in the city centre.
Old Eldon Square fell virtually silent when the first image of the Queen's coffin appeared on screen. The crowds then stood quietly as the service at Westminster Abbey got under way. Many couples stood hand in hand or with arms around one another as they watched. Two minutes of silence was observed impeccably and people rose to their feet as the National Anthem was played.
9. David Sanderson
The 19-year-old, from Morpeth, Northumberland, was one of the eight soldiers from the Queen’s Company 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, who bore the oak casket in both London and Windsor. The Former King Edward VI School pupil was positioned at the front on the right hand side of the casket.
The teenager joined the army three years ago, training at Harrogate and Catterick Garrison before joining up with the Grenadier Guards. It is the same regiment which his late grandfather John Sanderson completed his national service with.
David’s mum Carolyn said: "I’m beyond proud. It has just been amazing. I still can’t believe it happened. We didn’t actually know anything because it was all private to the army. We were looking at some photographs of the rehearsal and my husband said it looked like our David. I looked and said 'of course it is!' It’s just wonderful.
"He will never forget this. He looked after her from the very start to her last journey. Seeing him on the television going to Westminster Abbey was just amazing. I just lost it – that’s our David. They were all brilliant, I think it was perfect."
10. Nakkita Charag
Nakkita Charag, from Fenham, Newcastle, has been volunteering for St John Ambulance since she was a teenager. The 23-year-old was part of the Queen's funeral procession to at Westminster Abbey in London.
She is one of the youngest members in St John to be given an Order of Chivalry by Queen Elizabeth II. Nakkita, who represented the Order of St John, said: "When I was invited, I was amazed that, out of 250,000 people worldwide, they chose me – a working class girl from Newcastle-upon-Tyne!
"I was the first of the Order of St John to enter the Abbey, so I knew everyone was following me and watching me, which was very daunting. The whole world was watching. I just had to keep thinking – left, right, left, right and putting the right steps forward. All I was thinking was I had my parade shoes on and I didn't want to slip on the marble floor in the Abbey!
"I feel so proud I got to represent the Order of St John and be there at the funeral."
Nakkita began volunteering for St John Ambulance as a cadet when she was 13 years old, after being encouraged to attend by her friend. When she was 16, her dad suffered a heart attack and she was able to recognise the symptoms and help save his life.
She said that as part of her role in St John, Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Tees invited her to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. She attended the wedding in 2018 as a guest and took along her sister.
Nakkita, who is currently an advisor for NHS Cadets programme and Youth Advocate for Northumbria County Priory Group, said: "I was born in Benwell and I have lived in Fenham. To think that I have gone from there to being at two Royal Family events. I'm just really honoured that people value me and see the work that I'm doing."
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