Thousands of people pilgrimage to Buckingham Palace to mourn Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch, who died at 96 in Balmoral on 8th September 2022.
On Saturday, 10th September, as night fell, thousands lay flowers, greeting cards, and candles outside the gate of Buckingham Palace to remember the “Nation’s grandma” and her over 70 years of royal leadership.
I was there to capture the nation’s saddest moments and speak to some mourners.
Asma from London: “The Queen was a very dignified and noble lady. She was such a lovely lady who cared about a lot of people.”
“The Queen was a very dignified and noble lady. It was very fortunate that she lived and reigned for so long. It’s sad as this is the end of an era.” Says Asma from London.
“Usually, I do like to walk around this area. It’s especially nice to come here at this iconic moment to pay respect and tribute and to understand the feeling from everybody. The Queen was such a lovely lady who cared about people.”
In terms of Asma’s expectations of the new King, she adds, “Although it’s time for Charles to become the King, it is a grieving time for him and his family. It will be difficult for them because they have lost their mother and grandmother. I wish the Royal family the very best for the start of the new era.”
Marcus from London: “I came here to watch the Change of Guards in late 1987; In the late 1990s, I met the Queen’s mother. I’ve always had a continuous link to the Royal Family in a formal manner. I deeply miss her.”
Marcus came to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II with a bouquet of flowers.
“When I was 7 or 8 in the late 1980s, I was invited to stand inside the Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard. Later in the late 1990s, I met the Queen’s Mother. I’ve always had a continuous link to the Royal Family in a formal manner. I deeply miss her. It is a great loss.”
The Caribbean-born also passes his grandmother’s thoughts to the Queen. “I visited my grandmother before I came here. She was really upset about the Queen’s death. My great-grandmother was born in the same year as the Queen.”
“I have high hopes for King Charles; I think he will do a great job. I have the deepest sympathy for him and his family. He will be a great King, and God save the King.” Says Marcus.
John Leung from Hertfordshire: “We used to sing the British National Anthem ‘God Save the Queen’ before Mauritius became independent from British colonial rule. I respect the Queen.”
“I respect the Queen.” John Leung, the Mauritius-born-Chinese states, “Mauritius became independent from the British colony in 1968. I remember those days when I was in school, and we used to sing the British National Anthem ‘God Save the Queen. I came to live in the UK in 1971 and missed those years when Mauritius was granted independence from the British administration. Mauritius was well governed by the UK.”
Daphne from London: “She was exceptional. How many people could not put their foot wrong and make people feel comfortable all the time? If we all behave as nice as her to everybody, then the world would be so peaceful.”
“I was born in Hong Kong and came to the UK when I was very young; I grew up in England. I came to the UK before the British colonial rule in Kong Kong drew to a close in 1997.”
“The Queen’s has got a very calm nature. She was exceptional. How many people could not put their foot wrong and make people feel comfortable all the time? If we all behave as nice as her to everybody, then the world would be so peaceful.”
Daphne also comments on her expectations of King Charles. “Give the new King a chance before being judgmental, Charles wasn’t born to be a King. I don’t think people should be nasty about his previous marriage to Princess Diana. They were both very young, he was only 30-years-old, and Diana was only 18.” The Hong Kong-born declares.
Seas of flowers from visitors are moved from the gate of Buckingham Palace to the Queen’s Floral Tribute in Green Park, as Buckingham Palace urges mourners not to lay flowers outside Royal Family residence on 10th September. Britain will continue its mourning period until the Queen’s funeral, which will be held on Monday 19th September at Westminster Abbey, London.
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