One of Northern Ireland's royal superfans has said attending the Queen's funeral was an opportunity to "pay our respects to a woman who gave us everything".
Canon Derek Kerr, a Church of Ireland rector based in Randalstown, was among many from Northern Ireland who made the journey to London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday.
Royal enthusiast Derek, who is rector of Drummaul, Duneane and Ballyscullion, said making the trip was "really important".
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After taking their normal Sunday morning services, Derek and his friend, Moneymore Presbyterian Church minister Rev Jonathan Sloan, boarded a plane from Belfast to Luton airport.
While they didn’t arrive in time to attend the Queen’s lying in state at Westminster Hall, the pair had an early start this morning to secure their spot outside Buckingham Palace and join the crowds also paying their respects.
"It was really important to be there," Derek told Belfast Live.
"For me and many others around us, we were there to pay our respects to a woman who gave us everything. Jonathan and I had made a promise that we would go to the Queen's funeral.
"Logistically we didn't think we'd make it but we arrived last night and go home again in a few hours. We were at the top of the Mall at around 6.30am this morning where there were already fantastic crowds there to say goodbye to our dear Queen.
"Suddenly the barrier around Buckingham Palace was opened and we got to stand just opposite the Palace. It meant that The King and the other members of the royal family and, more importantly, Her Majesty's coffin, were very close."
On The Mall and in front of Buckingham Palace where Derek and Jonathan were standing, the Queen's funeral was played through tannoys to the wide range of ages gathered there.
Crowds lining The Mall broke into spontaneous applause after the national anthem was played at the funeral. Before that, they had stood quietly with their heads bowed during the two-minute silence.
Members of the royal household, clad in black, lined up along the front of Buckingham Palace before the coffin was brought along in procession past the Palace for the final time on its way to Windsor.
They joined members of the Guards, drawn from various regiments, who were also arranged around the Victoria Memorial and along The Mall.
"The atmosphere was just amazing and I've never heard London so quiet in my life," Derek added.
"The stillness and silence at the palace was such a tribute in itself. This was a time for private thoughts and everyone was so dignified.
"We weren't in a position to see the King or other members of the Royal Family close up but I realised this was a good thing because we weren't there to wave at them or be jolly."
Dungannon native Derek has been collecting all things regal for the past 30 years and has gathered up around 500 items.
Ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last June, he put his hundreds of items of regal memorabilia, collected by him over the years, on display as a part of a charity exhibition.
Ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last June, Derek put his hundreds of items of regal memorabilia, collected by him over the years, on display as a part of a charity exhibition.
As well as collecting memorabilia, Derek, has done an average of 10 ‘Royal Talks’ a year and takes every opportunity he can to attend special events.
To mark the 60 th anniversary of the Queen’s reign in 2012, Derek hosted his royal exhibition at Drummaul Parish Church, with proceeds going to parish funds and the NSPCC.
Three years later, Derek again hosted an exhibition to celebrate Her Majesty becoming the UK’s longest reigning monarch. This raised £1,300 for Tabiro School in Uganda which Drummaul, Duneane and Ballyscullion had built through Fields of Life.
His latest exhibition last May to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee raised funds for the parish, with 10% of monies donated going to the Salvation Army in memory of the late Aurelia Kelly, who tragically died in a Co Antrim car crash late last year.
After the exhibition, Derek headed to London to enjoy Trooping the Colour as part of the events for the Platinum Jubilee weekend.
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