People from the North East are making their way to London to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II on the day of Her Majesty’s funeral.
Today the Queen, who reigned for 70 years, will finally be laid to rest following a state funeral. She passed away on the afternoon of Thursday, September 8, at Balmoral Castle, aged 96.
Her service to her country is one that is admired by people across Britain. And it’s among the many reasons why people from the North East felt it was important to travel to the capital to pay their respects.
Read more: Today's timings for monarch's final journey and funeral services
Hugo Hunter, aged nine, is travelling to London with his mum Kate Cookney. He said: “I think it’s important to be there because she’s a good role model. She’s been an inspiration for a lot of years and I think it will be good to pay our respects.”
Kate added: “It’s history and I feel it’s important for us to be there. She was like everyone’s grandma so it’s good for us to be able to pay our respects.”
Kate and Hugo are travelling on one of the first trains to leave Newcastle heading to the capital this morning. They arrived at Newcastle’s Central Station before 6am.
Among those boarding the train, which will arrive in London shortly after 9am, is Lynn Davidson, from South Shields.
Lynn said: “I was brought up a royalist, but I’m going for my mam because she can’t go as she cares for my dad. She was a big fan of the Queen so I wanted to go for her.”
Mark Coombs, who is travelling with Lynn today, said: “I’m less of a royalist, but for me it’s the admiration of her 70 years of service. Normally people can’t wait to retire but she was working right up until two days before and that’s something that deserves respect.”
ChronicleLive is travelling to London on this historic day to report on Her Majesty’s funeral. Speaking en route to London, freelance photographer Steve Brock told ChronicleLive how he also felt it was important to photograph the day.
Steve said: “I’m going because I feel an urge to be there.”
Working as a photographer since 1980, Steve has pictured many royal visits in Newcastle throughout his career. Speaking about the Queen’s passing, Steve added: “You don’t think it’s going to affect you, but like a lot of people it did. I’m going to take in the atmosphere, but I’m also going for my mother who is in her 90s.”
Denise Wilson, from Chester-le-Street, has also observed a number of royal events throughout her life. She said: “I came down for the Queen mother and the wedding. As soon as the official announcement was made we booked the tickets.”
The 64-year-old added: “I love these occasions, it’s sad that it’s a funeral, but we’re very lucky in England to have these royal occasions. The whole world will be watching.”
Mum Marion and her daughter Rose are also travelling from Newcastle to London this morning. Marion, 64, said: “I love the Queen. I’ve never met her, but I miss her terribly.”
Marion added: “I wanted to be part of this. It’s not something I’m going to see again in my lifetime."
Rose, 29, said: “I like the Royal Family, but I’m here for my mam. It’s a once in a lifetime situation and it will be something to say I was there.”
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