It was an overcast morning in New Brighton, with only the occasional dog walker braving the elements along the promenade.
The shuttered up arcade and deserted shops struck a sombre note that was very much reflected by the mourners filing into the Floral Pavilion, where a live screening of Queen Elizabeth II's State Funeral was held at 11am. Among those in attendance at the theatre, which the Queen officially reopened in December 2011, was Michael Hawkyard, 76, who donned a black suit and tie for the occasion.
Michael told the ECHO : “I wanted to come here because I live on my own so I think it will be nice to be with other people. I was shocked because I didn’t think of myself as being a royalist but maybe I am.
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"It's all been said before about the Queen but her conduct has been impeccable. She’s an example to all world leaders. I could not have more admiration for her.”
Ann Hinchcliffe also wanted to share today's momentous occasion with others. She said: “I thought it was important to be together with lots of people.
"It’s a national event and if we can’t go to London we can gather together here. I was very sad when the Queen passed away and sad for her family because she was a wonderful woman and her family must be absolutely devastated.”
Pat Wright, 75, and Margie Owens also wanted to pay their respects to a monarch who dedicated more than 70 years of service to her country. Pat said: “She was a very special person and we’ve grown up with her so we wanted to come and pay our respects.
"I was devastated when she passed away. Although we knew it was going to happen sometime, nobody wants it to happen, but she did a wonderful job.”
Margie, 70, said: “We’ve never known another monarch. And coming here means that I’ll always be able to say I remember where I was on the day of the Queen’s funeral.”
The Basford family arrived at the Floral Pavilion decked out in black to mark the sombre occasion. Catherine, 48, said: “I would have liked to go down to London or a church service but I was working overnight so we thought this was the best opportunity to watch it.
"We don’t have a TV so we wouldn’t be able to watch it unless we came here. I was a bit emotional when I found out the Queen had passed away, I had a bit of a cry."
While the majority of bars and restaurants shut up shop for the day, cafe Social 114, on Victoria Road, stayed open and paid their own special tribute to Queen Elizabeth by serving up her favourite cake; chocolate biscuit cake. The cafe also fell silent at 11:55am to honour the late monarch.
You can light a candle for Queen Elizabeth II here or leave a tribute to her here .
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