Most of the well-wishers, some carrying flowers, got here from exterior the UK.
London:
Tearful crowds exterior Buckingham Palace sang a forlorn “God Save the Queen” as information broke of Elizabeth II’s demise on Thursday.
Lots of braved torrential rain to face on the palace gates after it was introduced that medical doctors had positioned the monarch beneath medical supervision at Balmoral, her Scottish property.
A vivid rainbow quickly lifted spirits, however the temper turned mournful at 6:30 pm (1730 GMT) because the seismic information was introduced, triggering widespread cries of “oh no”, in line with an AFP journalist.
Some wept because the Union Jack flag on the queen’s London residence was lowered, earlier than a numbed silence fell over the group.
One other rainbow appeared because the flag was lowered at her Windsor Citadel residence exterior London.
“She’s been the queen for so long as I have been alive, she’s been the queen for so long as my dad and mom have been alive,” foreign money dealer Charlie Wolstenholme informed AFP.
“So she’s actually a really, crucial a part of the material. You realize, it is going to be horrible.”
Suzan Antonowicz in contrast it to shedding a member of the family.
“She is the mom of our nation. She was heroic in so many conditions. My respect for her is unbelievable, however my love is even larger. We are going to grieve our loss for years,” she mentioned.
Choking again the tears, Joshua Ellis, 24, mentioned he was in “shock”.
“Each time individuals wanted assist she was there. She was additionally a hyperlink to my grandmother, who was an enormous fan of her and handed away final 12 months.”
‘Nation’s conscience’
Drivers of London’s well-known black taxis lined the Mall, the highway resulting in Buckingham Palace, in tribute, whereas the neon lights of Piccadilly Circus glowed with an image of the late monarch.
Supporters of Premier League soccer membership West Ham spontaneously broke out right into a rendition of “God Save the Queen” earlier than their Europa Convention League fixture, whereas Manchester United followers noticed a minute’s silence forward of their match.
“She was our conscience. She was just like the nation’s grandma,” mentioned Sophie, 27.
Most of the well-wishers at Buckingham Palace, some carrying flowers, got here from exterior the UK.
“As a French individual, even I’m touched by this,” mentioned scholar Chloe Papeil. “She is part of English tradition, but in addition international tradition.”
The queen — an immediately recognisable determine to billions of individuals internationally — was in her Platinum Jubilee 12 months, marking 70 years since she succeeded her father king George VI in 1952.
Britain’s longest-serving monarch had been dogged by well being issues since final October that left her struggling to stroll and stand.
Information unfold quickly throughout a shellshocked nation, with bulletins in public areas, together with a practice from London to Edinburgh.
“I am speechless, it is very unhappy,” mentioned lawyer Rory Turbet, 38, who was travelling on the practice for a marriage. “A whole lot of British individuals will really feel that means; she’s been a continuing presence in individuals’s lives,” he informed AFP.
On the streets of London, animation producer Toni Cunningham informed AFP: “I really feel actually unhappy, I really feel like my nana (grandmother) has died.
“She did a lot for this nation, she was right here a lot for us.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
