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Outside the funeral, a community united in awe of the Queen

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Mourners photograph the funeral procession as they gather to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II outside the Palace of Westminster and the houses of parliament in London on Monday. The final leg of today's journey for Queen Elizabeth II, who served as the constitutional monarch of the United Kingdom for 70 years, follows a state funeral at Westminster Abbey and a procession through the city.


All stories agree that the burial of Queen Elizabeth was solemn and formal. Many people in the gathering outside Westminster Abbey, however, found satisfaction in the companionship of others and the knowledge that they had done everything in their power to express their gratitude to the late queen.


A substantial throng, though fewer than many claimed they had anticipated, camped overnight and claimed positions nearby to bid the queen a fond farewell and witness the festivities firsthand.


The early morning arrival of those who hadn't spent the night there was accompanied by cameras and coffee cups. Some were dressed up in suits, skirts, and hats, while others were sporting T-shirts commemorating the queen.



When it came to having a decent view, it was "every man for himself." People fiercely guarded their positions along the pavement and on concrete barriers. Apart from that, everyone was in agreement about how amazing the queen's service was, how elaborate the send-off was, or both.


Many individuals claimed that, in addition to obtaining a view of the queen's coffin during the procession, the experience's high point was the feeling of community and sharing the moment with people who, despite their various differences, were all together for the same cause.



The nicest part of her day, according to Sally Parr, was chatting to people and making new acquaintances, even if she never saw them again. She was watching the events from a mobile office chair she had borrowed from her son's neighboring apartment.


Except for when the queen passed, she said, "it was just a really wonderful, nice, everybody looking out for everybody, kind, cheerful vibe."


A spectator photographs the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during the funeral procession for the late monarch as mourners gather to say goodbye outside the Palace of Westminster and the houses of parliament in London on Monday.


Being there in person, according to Veronica Knibbs-Hughes, offered her the chance to express her admiration for the queen as well as make friends from other racial, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. She claimed that taking part in the activity made her feel included.


It's good to be involved when you occasionally feel alienated or on the outside, she continued. "It ricochets off of you, lifts your emotions, promotes growth, and makes you feel good. It benefits the entirety of society."


She hopes the feeling of cohesion would persist for much longer than just one day or perhaps ten.



However, some in the audience were monarchy supporters more than others. Ruth Meynell and Tulla Burnet, two art students, attended to learn more, represent their families, and gather anecdotes. However, they declared themselves to be "not truly monarchists" due to some of the harm it had caused in the past.


However, they appeared to respect the queen's many years of devotion and came to the conclusion that "no one's flawless."



Chris Imafidon, a writer of books on the queen, claims to have interacted with her frequently while working for an educational nonprofit. He praises her for bringing poor kids to the yearly Commonwealth Service. He said that her focus motivated them and made them feel significant.


While acknowledging the "nasty, horrible" aspects of the institution she represented, Imafidon continued by saying he could tell the queen genuinely cared about equality. He cited her support for the independence of African countries as an example of how she acknowledged this as well.


Imafidon, who was hiding his face and clutching an umbrella with the image of the queen, declared, "I'm not looking at the monarch, I'm looking at the mother."


After the funeral started, the throng didn't really thin down since many people stayed around and took out their phones to watch the event live on the internet. At the conclusion of the event, an announcer requested two minutes of quiet, to which the throng readily consented before singing "God Save the King."



Most people didn't start packing up until the procession was safely out of site as they craned their necks to watch the queen's coffin and other members of the royal family depart Westminster Abbey.


The mourners were cheerful and upbeat as they left, despite being worn out from a long day of sorrow and, for many, after more than a week of it. Others intended to visit other memorials in the city or spend time with relatives. Some had to fly back home.


And even though the ongoing military movements and closed barricades prevented the crowd from leaving quickly, many people took it in stride. They set out their food, unpacked their folding chairs, and even made cups of tea in anticipation of looking back on a day they would never forget.


A picture of Queen Elizabeth II sits outside the Palace of Westminster and the houses of parliament where the funeral procession took place in London on Monday.


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