The dedicated cleaners who swept the Westminster streets for the procession of the Queen's coffin have received a standing ovation. Crowds of people four-people deep gave council workers a big round of applause as they marched through Whitehall ahead of the late monarch's coffin as it left Buckingham Palace for Westminster Hall.
A video of the heartfelt moment as the coffin was taken for four days of lying in state showed crowds whooping and clapping as a group of 17 cleaners make their way through Whitehall on Parliament Street. Sarah Jane-Sewell captured the moment from her office window, reports MyLondon.
The Parliamentary worker also captured shots of the Queen's coffin as it travelled past her office. After watching the event Sarah said: "I'm not sure I can find the words to describe the emotions I've felt this afternoon. God Save The King."
Tens of thousands of visitors queued to pay their respects and see the Queen lie in state between Wednesday and early on Monday morning ahead of the funeral. A second video taken by Sarah showed Westminster council workers covering Parliament Square with sand in preparation for further Royal events.
Westminster City Council cleaners are usually incredibly busy as the autumn months draw in. The council's cleaning team and contractors Veolia usually spend seven weeks clearing Central London's streets of leaves each year.
Staff clear away around 1,000 tonnes of leaves in that period, that have fallen in areas like Hyde Park, Green Park and Victoria Embankment Gardens - outside Parliament.
They also clear up after special events and a huge clean-up operation was also needed following the Euros 2020 final. Veolia cleaners spent 19 hours tidying up Leicester Square and areas of Central London and Wembley after England lost to Italy in a heartbreaking penalty shootout. Items included uprooted trees and smashed windows.
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