Mancunians who've been invited to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II have expressed their shock and honour to be part of one of the biggest moments in the country's history.
The Queen's official state funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday (19 September), and is expected to be attended by hundreds of guests from across the globe.
Nearly 500 dignitaries are expected to join members of the Royal family, UK ministers past and present, and key figures from public life in what has been dubbed the 'biggest international event in decades.'
READ MORE: Emotional image shows Queen's children standing vigil at her coffin
Around 200 people recognised in the Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours List this summer have also been invited to attend the funeral - including 10 from Greater Manchester.
Rebecca Friel, 39, was awarded an MBE for services to education and the community as chief executive officer for Moss Side based theatre Odd Arts.
After receiving an invite for Her Majesty's funeral, Rebecca said she was so convinced it was a hoax that she emailed the Cabinet Office to double check.
Speaking to the M.E.N, she said: "I am feeling very overwhelmed as to how I have got invited; so much so that I convinced myself I had got the wrong end of the stick. I emailed the cabinet office earlier this week to double check I hadn't misunderstood, imagined it, or been hoaxed!
"I feel like I am about to step into a massive moment of history and am sure I'll be quite taken aback by those I'll be surrounded by. It's unbelievable that the work everyone at Odd Arts has done in Manchester and the North West has been recognised at such a level."
Rebecca is planning to drive down to London on Sunday with her family as train fares were "extortionate" and will be staying with her family in the capital ahead of the funeral.
"I will be getting the tube by myself the morning of the state funeral which I imagine will feel very surreal," she said. "I think I'm wearing the same as everyone else (but probably a whole let less expensive) which is a smart black dress and black hat.
"I have never met the queen or any royal before. It was shock enough to get an MBE earlier this year, this is even more of a 'pinch me' moment."
Leader of Wigan Council, David Molyneux, was awarded an MBE for services to local government and community in this year's Honours List and has also received an invite to the funeral.
"It's a fantastic honour and privilege to be asked to attend Her Majesty's funeral," he said. "It's such an honour also for the borough of Wigan for me to be invited.
"People are very upset which really symbolises what she meant to people. Being considered for an MBE was an honour itself - that is something special and something I'll always be grateful for.
"I know it's going to be a very sombre occasion. I am taking part in an event that is a major part of this country's history. My family is very proud. Speaking to the younger generation in our family they think it's a great honour."
Coun Molyneux fondly recalls meeting the Queen and Prince Philip in 2009 for the opening of Leigh Sports Village, and says he'll remember the day for the rest of his life.
"They were easy people to speak to and very down to earth," he said. "They were so knowledgeable about the area they were visiting. They came across as really nice people."
"We were told very early on to be in uniform or a lounge suit so I've got my outfit ready. I'll be getting the earliest train to London on Monday before making my way to Westminster Abbey."
Claire Osment, 53, was awarded an MBE for services to victims of domestic abuse in Stockport as the chair of Ongoing Women's Local Support. When she received a call last weekend inviting her to the funeral, she recalled believing it was 'a joke.'
"When she said you have been asked to attend the state funeral I said 'you are joking,'" she said. "It's been such a mad year with getting an MBE but to get an invite to her funeral is just amazing.
"People I've told have been gobsmacked. It's such an honour. I just wish I had got to meet her. Her death is so sad. 70 years on the throne is crazy. I’ve only known this Queen and I’m 53. She was a great monarch."
Claire says she plans to head into Stockport town centre tomorrow to pick up an outfit, and has had to book a train from Doncaster because the ones from Manchester are now full.
Speaking of the honour to be invited, she added: "My ex-partner told me I was stupid and couldn't live without him. Tomorrow is the ten year anniversary of me fleeing and this is what I have achieved."
Najma Khalid, 47, received an MBE earlier in the year for her services to the community as founder of Women's CHAI Project and lead organiser of Parent Power in Oldham.
She described feeling 'a mix of emotions' when she received an invitation to the state funeral over the weekend and says she plans to travel to London on Sunday to stay with a friend.
"I am still in shock about it," she said. "I was upset that she had passed away and what a great loss for everyone around the world - but then it's also an honour to have the opportunity to share condolences with everyone.
"I was invited to the Queen’s garden party in 2017 and although I didn’t meet her it was an amazing experience. It felt like a dream. I would have loved to be presented the medal from Her Majesty the Queen because she is such an inspirational woman.
"I am so honoured to have been awarded an MBE this year. I feel honoured that I have been invited to possibly one of the biggest funerals of all time. It’s very emotional and very difficult to describe."
In Manchester, space for up to 10,000 people at three different locations is being set-up to view live TV coverage of the funeral from 9am onwards.
There will be two outdoor screens, at Cathedral Gardens and Exchange Square, with one indoors in Manchester Cathedral.
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