Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
James Robinson

North East MPs reflect after visiting Westminster Palace to see the Queen's coffin lying in state

North East MPs have been among the tens of thousands of people who have visited Westminster Palace to pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

There have been reports of some people queuing for up to 14 hours, to see the late Monarch's coffin lying in state, with the queue itself stretching back miles through London.

A number of famous faces including former England captain David Beckham have been seen waiting to pay their respects, while there has even been s ome controversy as MPs have been reportedly able to skip the queues while others continue to wait in line.

Read more: Northumberland mams travel 300 miles to London to see the Queen lying-in-state after making a promise as teenagers

North East MPs Chi Onwurah, Catherine McKinnell and Ian Lavery have confirmed they travelled to the capital to pay their respects this week.

Chi Onwurah, who is Newcastle Central's MP, said: "“I was very privileged to be able to see the Queen lying in state. I went to pay my respects both on my own behalf, as a Member of Parliament who swore an oath to the Queen and who has huge respect and admiration for her life and work, and on behalf of the people of Newcastle Central, most of whom would not be able to attend.

Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah (ncjMedia)

"It was very solemn, very moving, both beautiful and austere, very powerful.”

Mr Lavery, who represents the Wansbeck constituency in Northumberland, said: "On Wednesday I travelled down to London to visit the Queen’s body lying in state in Westminster Hall.

"I believed it was important to go on behalf of the people of Wansbeck as their representative in Parliament who would have loved to show their respects to the queen in person themselves, but who for one reason or another could not make the journey on such short notice."

Ian Lavery (John Stilwell/PA Wire)

Catherine McKinnell, who represents Newcastle North, took to social media to share her thoughts on Wednesday.

She wrote: "The proceedings today were beautiful. The Queen now lies in state in Westminster Hall with a round the clock watch from her guards, and from the public who come to pay their respects.

"I said my goodbye today. It was an honour to be able to share in this very moving occasion."

Read next:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.