Queen's funeral: People gather at Sandringham to pay their respects

Thousands of flowers have been left at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk

As millions watched the Queen's state funeral from the comfort of their homes, others felt the need to visit Sandringham and view the mass of floral tributes that have been laid by thousands of well-wishers. The BBC spoke to some of the hundreds of people paying their respects at the Royal estate.

'She had an amazing heart'

Rex Mackemson said he remembered the Queen's way with people

Self-professed royalist Rex Mackemson, of nearby Dersingham, was taking photos of the sea of flowers and became upset when he spoke of the Queen's death.

"I love coming here, and I really wanted to see the effort everyone's put in," he said.

"It's massive, absolutely beautiful, especially some of the things children have done - knitted flowers, Lego flowers - it's stupendous."

Asked what he would remember of the Queen, the 76-year-old said: "I think her charitable attitude to people.

"She was always talking, she was always happy, she was always smiling, and her dress sense was unbelievable.

"She was a queen who represented people rather than looking down at us. She was part and parcel of us - a tremendous lady.

"I think she touched everyone, she had an amazing heart and it exuded from her, no matter your age, she was one of us."

A steady stream of well-wishers arrived at Sandringham to lay flowers before and after the funeral

'We wanted to experience this moment'

The Kamalanathan family wanted to come to Sandringham having watched some of the funeral at home in March

Premi Kamalanathan, 33, travelled from March, Cambridgeshire, with her husband, their three children and her father-in-law.

Sandringham is special to them as they frequently visit at Christmas and their eldest daughter Shobika, 11, met Prince William during one of the Royal Family's walks to church.

"We know this place, the children come here to play, and we have memories here," said Ms Kamalanathan.

"I wanted to bring the kids for the Queen's historic moment and just experience this moment, and pay our respects to the Queen. It's emotional."

They watched most of the ceremony at home and were hoping to return to see the Queen arriving at Windsor Castle.

She added it was "more than special" for seven-year-old Subikshan to lay flowers on the day of the funeral.

Subikshan laid flowers on behalf of his family

'I invited her to a street party'

Tracy Woodward said it was a chance they would never get again

Tracy Woodward, 49, and daughter Hannah, 17, from Caister, near Great Yarmouth, said young children may not understand events around the Queen's death but in time they would appreciate the significance.

"It's a chance you're never going to get again," said Ms Woodward.

"It's amazing how many flowers there are - it's a sight," her daughter added.

Of the Queen, she said: "I can't imagine anything without her.

"I wrote to her for her Diamond Jubilee, I invited her to a street party, and she replied saying she couldn't make it.

"It'll go in a frame now."

Flowers and cards left at Sandringham include drawings from young children

'The Queen would shed a tear at these flowers'

The Carman family have fond memories of the Queen

The Carman family, from near Southwold, Suffolk, said the Royal Family was integral to theirs.

"We felt this was a great tribute on an amazing day, to come and lay flowers," said Jonathan Carman.

"The Queen didn't cry very often but I imagine she would be shedding a tear to see all these flowers, and all the tributes across the country.

"She was incredibly selfless - I don't think people fully appreciate it until now."

His wife, Sarah Carman, said she remembered the Silver Jubilee celebrations in her childhood and the Queen's speech was an important part of every Christmas.

Their 13-year-old son, Arthur, added: "It's a very important moment in history - what an incredible lady she was."

They had wanted to see the Queen lying in state but were turned away when the queue temporarily closed. However, Arthur's grandma, Maggie Carman, did make it through to Westminster Hall.

"I was flabbergasted [once inside], I just had to be there," she said.

"It's quite choking, it's just amazing.

"This today is just a memory so it's going to be wonderful."

Many of those visiting said they felt the need to share the historic occasion with their children

'Important for the children'

Emily Campbell and Lisa Sly with Betsy, 11, Theo, 4, and Freya, 12

Friends Emily Campbell and Lisa Sly had both travelled from St Ives in Cambridgeshire with their children.

"I felt it was important to show our respects and our children to see all of this," said Ms Campbell.

"She's an amazing woman and you can't believe everything she's done in her lifetime.

"It's lovely to see everyone's notes and see all the little Paddington Bears in the flowers."

Ms Sly added: "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and it's important for the children to be part of history and to understand how much of an impact she's had on people's lives.

"It's incredible to see - all the notes children have left and people have been creative with what they have made."

"It's phenomenal and so touching to see people have been to so much effort."

Thousands of flowers line the route to the Norwich Gates

A complete guide to the Queen's funeral

Today, the door swings shut on the Elizabethan era

Obituary: A long life marked by a sense of duty