Streets were empty and roads quiet as Knowsley fell silent for The Queen's funeral today.
The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was announced on Thursday, 8 September, 2022 by the Royal Household. Queen Elizabeth II's State Funeral was broadcast at 11am from Westminster Abbey and like the rest of the UK, and beyond, Knowsley came together to pay their respects and celebrate the life of our late monarch.
On Saturday, September 10, it was confirmed the day of the Queen’s funeral would be a national bank holiday and schools, shops and restaurants across the country have closed as a mark of respect. Millions of people watched the funeral service today, following four days of the late monarch lying in state, where mourners queued for hours to see the the Queen's coffin.
READ MORE: Mourners travel for Queen's funeral in London to be part of 'moment in history'
Usually busy streets across Knowsley were eerily quiet on the wet Monday as local construction works also appeared to have been postponed out of respect right across the borough. Almost all shops and restaurants were closed, from large supermarket chains to independent businesses, at town centres in the borough.
One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, is watching the Queen's funeral live from her home as she told the ECHO: "It is a very moving service, and (King) Charles and Camilla are doing a sterling job. You can see the grief in his face but he's holding it together, my heart goes out to him and the family."
During the period of national mourning, Knowsley residents could leave floral tributes at a number of places including The Cenotaph at Huyton Municipal Buildings, Knowsley Village Memorial Cross, Cenotaph at St Mary’s Church in Prescot, Cenotaph on Smithy Lane in Cronton, Cenotaph at the Kirkby Centre and the Cenotaph at St Nicholas Church in Halewood.
One special tribute, placed in Huyton, read: "Our beautiful Queen Elizabeth II Thank you my Queen for your long amazing devoted and dedicated service to us all your Majesty. You are loved and adored by so many people. You will be sorely missed." Another added she will be "greatly missed."
Wayne, who is also watching the funeral live on TV, said it was a "mark of respect" for the longest-reigning monarch in British history as the Jones family from Huyton added: "It's sad to see, and such a huge historical event. For many of us, the Queen has been the monarch for our lifetime so it's going to be strange but best of luck to King Charles."
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, previously said: "The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is an incredibly sad moment in the history of this country and a moment that we will be very unlikely to forget. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a truly remarkable individual who led this country with dedication and professionalism for the last 70 years.
"She dedicated her life to public service and her leadership and dignity will be greatly missed. I know that I speak for many people when I share my deep condolences with her family at this time and I send my thoughts to everyone who has been impacted by her life and her death."
You can light a candle for Queen Elizabeth II here or leave a tribute to her here .
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