All accounts agree that the funeral for Queen Elizabeth was solemn and formal. Many people in the crowd outside Westminster Abbey, however, found joy in the company of others and the knowledge that they had done everything in their power to express their gratitude to the late monarch.
A sizable crowd camped out and claimed spots along the area to bid the queen farewell and witness pageantry firsthand, though many claimed that the crowd was smaller than they had anticipated.
Those who hadn’t spent the night there arrived early the next morning carrying cameras and coffee cups. Some were dressed up in suits, dresses, and hats, while others were sporting T-shirts honoring the queen.
When it came to getting a good view, it was “every man for himself.” People fiercely guarded their positions along the sidewalk and atop concrete walls. Apart from that, everyone agreed about how amazing the queen’s service was, how elaborate the send-off was, or both.
Many people claimed that, in addition to catching a glimpse 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 other differences, were all present for the same reason.
The best part of her day, according to Sally Parr, was talking to people and making new friends, even if she never saw them again. She was watching the proceedings from a rolling office chair she had borrowed from her son’s nearby apartment.
“It was just a really pleasant, nice, everybody looking out for everybody, friendly, happy atmosphere, except when the queen went past when we all got very solemn,” she added.
Being there in person, according to Veronica Knibbs-Hughes, gave her the chance to express her admiration for the queen as well as make friends from different racial, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. She claimed that taking part in the activity made her feel included.
“Sometimes you do feel a bit marginalized, a bit on the edge, and it’s nice to be included,” she added. “You feel uplifted, [it] helps your spirits, helps your growth and it ricochets. It helps society as a whole.”
She hopes that the feeling of cohesion will persist for much longer than just one day or even ten.
