Hundreds of mourners gathered in Manchester city centre to pay tribute to the Queen on the day of her state funeral.
Screens were set up at the Royal Exchange Square and the Cathedral Gardens, and inside Manchester Cathedral, where the public could watch the live TV coverage of the event.
The city centre looked eerily quiet as businesses and venues have closed down for the day.
Mourners who showed up early to the screening had to brave the rainy weather.
But just before 11am, the rain stopped and the sun tried to shine as pictures showed the Queen’s coffin was processed to Westminster Abbey, and crowds began to gather.
In the cathedral there was a gentle buzz. However, the moment that the Queen’s coffin appeared on screen the crowd fell silent. Some were overcome by tears, others stood as the coffin was carried into the Abbey.
There was silence throughout the service, and once it was finished the crowd lingered, unsure what to make of the experience they had shared.
Logan and Emma Vijayaratnoum, who are visiting from Switzerland, were among the worshippers in the cathedral.
Logan described the service as “very sombre and quiet. We wanted to watch a pretty historic event.”
Emma said: “You could have heard a pin drop in there, and it was good to be able to watch the funeral in public as opposed to a sterile hotel room.
“It felt like a community thing and a mark of respect for the Queen’s life.
“It’s poignant that we’re coming together for the same person so soon after the jubilee celebrations.”
Many mourners stayed on after the service to watch the funeral procession.
Outside of the Exchange Square, Efosa Leslie Asoro, 41, invited people to sign a book of condolences he opened independently.
The book will then be donated to Manchester Central Library, to remain in the city’s archives.
“It’s a sad time, but it’s also a time to celebrate the Queen,” he said. “She’s the greatest ruler we’ve ever had.”
Today was one which will be long in our national memory and there was a sense of gratitude that Mancunians were able to pay their respects to the late Queen in the heart of the city.
