Susanna Reid appeared to directly respond to claims of 'queue jumping' from her ITV co-stars after she queued for several hours to see the Queen lie in state. Prior to her funeral on Monday, September 19, Queen Elizabeth II spent four days lying in state at Westminster Hall.
Hundreds of thousands of people queued for up to 14 hours to pay their final respects to the late monarch following her death, aged 96, at Balmoral on September 8. Good Morning Britain host Susanna paid her final respects to Queen Elizabeth II last Thursday, joining her 81-year-old mum, Sue, in filing past the Queen's coffin.
On Monday morning, ahead of the Queen's state funeral, the last mourners paid their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall before the was taken to Westminster Abbey in procession with her children and grandchildren behind her ahead of a poignant service and moving committal at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
However, an outpouring of outrage ensued after Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were accused of 'jumping the queue' when they were spotted in Westminster Hall on Friday. This Morning has since hit back at the claims.
They vehemently denied the pair had 'jumped the queue' and said the duo "were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event."
While appearing on Good Morning Britain in recent days, Susanna has given a brief insight into the experience of seeing the Queen for the final time. During the ITV show's historic broadcast outside Westminster Abbey on Monday, the 51-year-old said it was an "enormous privilege".
She also added: "When I was in the queue, young children, patiently and uncomplainingly stood for hours. I was so proud of my mum at 81 queuing with me." On Tuesday's show, as she returned to the ITV studio alongside co-host Ben Shephard, the pair chatted to Mel B about her experience with the royals.
The Spice Girl was among the last people to be honoured by the Queen when she was made an MBE for services to charitable causes and vulnerable women in the 2022 New Year's Honours, which she collected earlier this year from the new Prince of Wales.
Mel said she was 'welling up' as she spoke about the handwritten letter she received from Her Majesty just a few months ago. "I keep on touching it saying, 'Oh my God, she sent this!" as she showed the scrawl to the camera.
However, Mel turned from interviewee to interviewer as she said to Susanna: "Before I forget, Susanna.... you queued for seven hours. My gosh, I have so much respect for you. I did anyway but even more so now. What was that like?"
Susanna said Mel was "so kind" to ask and said it felt "like a pilgrimage" and it was an "honour to be with all the other people in the queue." But Mel interjected: "No queue jumping for you," to which Susanna gave a slight laugh.
She replied: "Well, some people had to work, of course. I was there with my mum who wanted to be there and her friend and it was lovely." But GMB viewers were quick to react.
@Mysterybeatzuk tweeted: "Mel B getting a dig in at the #queuejumpers #GMB." @StefNelson5 said: "Ben and Susanna thought they were safe and got away without queue jump coming up with only 60 seconds left on the show.. Mel B 'Hold my beer' #GMB."
@JimmyDFox wrote: "Mel B to Susanna 'no queue jumping for you' Susanna's reply "well some people had to work" The straightest of straight bats in response #GMB." @MagicalLorna added: "Yes, go on Mel B! Iconic behaviour when talking about the queue on #gmb just now!!!"
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