Viewers were left shedding a few tears as the latest episode of This Morning came to an end. Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were back at the helm of the ITV daytime show on Thursday (September 15) for the first time as scheduled since the Queen's death last week.
The presenting duo returned to screens on Monday (September 12) with a shorter programme than usual, paying tribute to the late monarch who passed away peacefully, aged 96, at Balmoral. This continued on Tuesday while Wednesday they hosted an extended version of the show prior to the Queen's final possession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where she now lies in state.
Today's show saw Holly, 41, and Phillip, 60, joined by pawnbroker Dan Hatfield to give his advice as people search for items and memorabilia to preserve from this time of history. Also taking a seat on the show's famous sofa were Katherine Jenkins, who has performed the national anthem countless times for the Queen, but earlier this week recorded the first version of ‘God Save The King’, and Sir Trevor McDonald who recalled his numerous encounters with the royal family over the years.
But at the end of today's who, Holly and Phil confirmed that Friday's show had been cancelled to make way for rolling news coverage. It comes as King Charles III will be making a trip to Cardiff, Wales tomorrow - his first since becoming King following the passing of his beloved mother.
They also made a tribute to the late Queen, with Phillip saying that all that was left for them to say was:" "Thank you for everything Ma'am" before show segued into an emotional montage of Queen Elizabeth's wonderful reign alongside the heartbreaking tune We'll Meet Again sung by their earlier guest, Katherine.
And the emotional end caught some This Morning viewers off guard. @leetothegee tweeted: "The goodbye segment of the Queen at the end of @thismorning has me in tears #QueenElizabethII #ThisMorning." @TrevCampbell shared: "Wow @thismorning #ThisMorning just made me cry over the memories of #QueenElizabethII."
@stuartdavis21 wrote: "@thismorning what a way to end the show beautiful photos followed by a beautiful song. #ThisMorning #TheQueen." @_robyncp added: "Lovely montage that was #ThisMorning #QueenElizabethII."
Phillip and Holly did confirm that they'll be back on air on Tuesday, September 20, where they'll reflect on the Queen's state funeral. Further details of the funeral, which will be held at Westminster Abbey, were announced earlier today. It was confirmed that at 8am on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, the doors of Westminster Abbey will open for the congregation to begin taking their seats.
Heads of state and overseas government representatives, including foreign royal families, governors general and Realm prime ministers, will gather at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and “travel under collective arrangements” to the Abbey, The King will once again lead his family in marching behind the Queen’s coffin when it is moved, at 10.44am on Monday, from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral service.
He will walk with the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex and behind the quartet will be the Queen’s grandsons Peter Phillips, Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales. They will be followed by the late monarch’s son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin, and her nephew the Earl of Snowdon. Members of the British Royal Family who are not processing from Westminster Hall will have arrived at the abbey and been escorted to their seats in the South Lantern.
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