Queen's state funeral: 'Watching with others gave a community feel'

Not all Londoners wanted to travel to Westminster for the state funeral of Britain's longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. But many didn't want to watch alone either.

The appropriately named Queens Garden saw mourners armed with chairs, blankets and snacks from 09:00 BST filing in to get a spot in front of Bromley's big screen.

In 2012, the Queen visited this park as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and about 200 people travelled to this part of south-east London to pay their final respects.

"I came here because I couldn't make it up to London," says Christine Smith. "I can't stand for too long but I just felt I had to be here.

Christine said she just felt she had to be at the gardens

"To be able to come here, it feels like the abbey - it's wonderful.

"She was such a wonderful lady who touched all our lives. I can't believe she's gone, I can't believe how deeply I've felt."

Sarah Molkenthin was the first to arrive this morning, along with her parents, as they took their seats in the front row.

They travelled to London on Wednesday as the Queen's coffin travelled to Westminster Hall.

"It's quieter here," the 34-year-old says. "Last week, there were a lot of crowds and six-hour wait for the procession.

"Here is a little bit more relaxed but we wanted to be amongst other people because it's a community feel to mourn for Her Majesty along with everyone else.

"It's quiet, sombre but everyone seems friendly and respectful.

"She's given us 70 years of her life so we felt like we owed it to her to pay our respects," she adds.

Watching in another part of the capital, 100-year-old Phyllis Hales paid her respects to the Queen alongside fellow military veterans - all of them residents of the Royal Star & Garter nursing home for former military personnel, in Surbiton.

Phyllis with her telegram from the Queen for her 100th birthday in June

Phyllis served in the Women's RAF during World War II and was one of the final people to have received a telegram from the Queen for her 100th birthday in June.

She recalls standing on the streets of London to watch both the Queen's wedding in 1947 and her Coronation in 1953.

"I was here before she was born and I'm still here," Phyllis says.

Of the funeral, she observes: "It was all perfect. Sad and happy."

The military display had made her "very proud", she adds. "Having been in the service myself, it meant more to me".

She says the servicemen and women taking part will also be proud: "I envied them thinking 'I wish I could have done that'."

"I am sure she would have been very pleased," she adds of Her Majesty. "Very grateful to all her people."

Back in sunny Bromley, Robin, who travelled to see the Queen lying-in-state at Westminster Hall last week, describes watching the funeral as an "emotional experience".

Robin said it wouldn't be the same watching at home

"I wanted to be here amongst everybody, it's not the same at home," he says.

"The crowds would be too much in London. It's been an amazing experience today, it's really great.

"The sound quality is great. I shed a little tear or two."

With children not at school because of the bank holiday, Emily, Harry and Alice have come to pay their respects to a "very special person".

"Now that she's died, it's very shocking and surprising," Harry says.

"It's not that busy," adds Alice. "There are lots of places you can watch it."

"It's been fun because everyone's gathered together instead of going to Buckingham Palace where lots of people have been. We're all gathering as a community here in Bromley to watch this special day," says Emily.

Marina said the atmosphere was peaceful

Marina Spiteri has travelled from Orpington with her mum to watch on the big screen. Like many over the past 10 days, they have made friends with those around them.

"I didn't just want to be at home for a historic moment," the 28-year-old says.

"In Bromley, there is quite a community and it's been nice to be with - and meet - other people."

What was the atmosphere like? "It was very peaceful and respectful," she adds.

"It was nice to be with people who have a lot of respect for the Queen. It was interesting how many ages were here."

Yen Chan said she wouldn't have been able to see a thing in central London

Yen Chan is half of one of the many couples to have travelled to Bromley.

"It's a beautiful, the atmosphere is so good," she says.

"I'm so glad I cam to watch it on the screen rather than at the procession. I wouldn't have been able to see a thing down there."

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