Queen's funeral: People in Sussex gather to watch historic state funeral
- Published
About 800 people gathered in Alexandra Park in Hastings to watch the historic event
Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral has been taking place in London, while across Sussex people have gathered to watch screenings of the ceremony.
The funeral to remember Britain's longest-reigning monarch began at Westminster Abbey at 11:00 BST.
In Sussex, churches, cinemas, pubs, and public spaces such as Alexandra Park in Hastings, are screening the event.
Kevin Boorman of Hastings Borough Council said: "People want to feel part of this really historic occasion."
Several people from Sussex were among the guests invited to attend the funeral.
Sir Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West, was one.
He said it was "an honour to represent Worthing West, to represent West Sussex and the whole of Sussex".
The funeral service was held in Westminster Abbey where the late queen was married and crowned
Lesley Garven, manager of the Blind Veterans UK centre in Ovingdean, was also invited.
She said she was "completely stunned, overwhelmed, honoured, privileged" to be chosen.
"I feel so humbled by the occasion," she added.
Meanwhile, people from Sussex travelled to London to be in the crowds lining the route.
Tom Kretz from Storrington said: "It's the least we can do after all she has done for us. It's an honour to be there."
Kris Green from Bexhill, set off at 04:00 BST to watch the funeral in Hyde Park with his colleagues
Kris Green from Bexhill set off early to watch the funeral on a screen in Hyde Park with his colleagues.
He said when the sun came out as the piper played "the hairs stood up on the back of my neck".
At Alexandra Park in Hastings, about 800 people sat on the grass on chairs in front of a large screen.
Kevin Boorman of Hastings Borough Council said the town had always had a strong sense of community
Mr Boorman said: "Hastings has always had a really strong sense of community and we've got a real cross section of Hastings today. All coming together with a real sense of purpose."
In Brighton, some people left a screening at Horatio's Bar on Brighton Palace Pier after it suffered technical difficulties.
Javier Rodriguez, manager of Horatio's Bar, said: "The signal went and we didn't know why.
"Of course they wanted to watch it, so they left to watch it somewhere else."
Horatio's Bar on Brighton's Palace Pier suffered technical issues for "about 15-20 minutes"
Mr Rodriguez said the venue lost the signal for about 15-20 minutes but the screening resumed.
Emma Wright from Saltdean who watched the service at St Nicholas Church in the seaside town, described it as "poignant".
Rector Steve Burston, of St John's Church in Crawley, said it was "the time to gather as a community and journey through grief together.
"As a nation we are losing someone very special."
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